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Cowboys Announce Roster Moves After Missing NFL Playoffs
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- Cowboys Announce Roster Moves After Missing NFL Playoffs
It's going to be the second straight year that the Dallas Cowboys will not take part in the NFL playoffs . Last season, the Cowboys finished with a 7-10 record and failed to make the cut for the first time in four years.
They improved slightly in 2025, registering a 7-9-1 standing, but it still wasn't enough. Dallas finished second in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles and 12th in the conference, marking their second consecutive postseason-less campaign.
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At this point, the front office is already looking ahead, just days after the season officially ended for the team. The Cowboys announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday, which are expected to impact their plans for 2026.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the field during warm ups.Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Based on what they showed this past season, there's no denying that multiple areas on the Cowboys roster need to be addressed ahead of the new season. The front office took a small step toward that direction on Tuesday by announcing the signing of nine players.
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Dallas Cowboys Public Relations announced on X that the following players have been signed to reserve/future contracts:
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CB Zion Childress
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DE Isaiah Land
These players did not have a significant impact on the team in 2025, but the Cowboys have decided to sign them to reserve/future contracts ahead of the new season. However, this does not guarantee that they will be part of the 53-man roster in 2026.
Teams usually hand out reserve/future contracts to players on the practice squad or to late-season free agents. These players do not count against the active roster.
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These moves indicate the Cowboys are quietly loading up their offseason roster. They have done so by signing inexpensive, developmental players who will have a chance to compete in camp to show their worth. None of these players is guaranteed, which allows the Cowboys to cut any of them at any point in the offseason. However, if some of them show promise, the team can promote them to the practice squad or even the final roster.
The wide variety of positions on both offense and defense is worth noting as well. This shows Dallas' intention to add more bodies at premium depth positions. The front office is also looking at players who can contribute on special teams.
The Cowboys have yet to announce the team's offseason schedule. However, training camps typically begin in July, giving Dallas ample time to make plans ahead of what it's hoping will be a more successful 2026 season.
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Related: Cowboys Star Bracing for NFL Punishment Decision After Jaxson Dart Incident
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
