Locked On Cowboys: COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW

Episode: The Maxx Crosby to the Cowboys rumors continue to heat up
Release Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Aisha Morrison, Glenn "Stretch" Smith
Absent but mentioned: Marcus Mosher (paternity leave), Landon McCool (returns Thursday)

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Cowboys Squad Show, panelists Aisha Morrison and Glenn “Stretch” Smith, with the moderator, explore pressing offseason questions and rumors surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Key areas include the defense’s overhaul and coaching staff changes, the evolving player evaluation strategy, updates on pending free agents like George Pickens and Javonte Williams, and the perennial challenge of roster construction under the salary cap. Amidst Senior Bowl week buzz, the conversation dives deep into schematic shifts, personnel fits, and how the front office’s approach could impact Dallas’s hopes for the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Coaching Staff Overhaul & Defensive Identity

• The hosts express excitement about new defensive hires, particularly secondary-oriented coaches like Derek Ansley and Christian Parker.
  • [02:13] Host: “I am genuinely excited about the coaching staff hires. I think the defense is going to have a new identity and I can't wait to see the process and see how it shapes up.”
• There’s a consensus that Dallas recognized its defensive issues head-on and has moved swiftly to address them.
  • [05:47] Glenn Smith: “The first step to recovery, to anything, is recognition, and they recognized that they didn't get it done defensively and they moved on from pretty much everybody on that side of the ball.”

Focus on Secondary

• Multiple hires with a **background in secondary play—**a deliberate attempt to fix last season’s woes.
  • [04:13] Aisha: “All these guys are very secondary focused… One place where [Ansley] specializes… is safety… Dallas is going to be trying to take a step forward [there]…”

Schematic Changes

• A major transition to more hybrid, multiple-front looks is expected, with discussions about moving from traditional 4-3 or 3-4 schemes to more modern alignments.
  • [08:56] Stretch: “You're changing from a … 43 scheme or a 42 nickel to what now could look like a 33 nickel or even sometimes a 32 dime look. So all of that is going to change because of angles, how you drop, where you drop to, what your leverage is…”
• Smith delivers a detailed breakdown of the differences between the 3-4 and 4-3 schemes and what this means for player roles and evaluations ([10:29-14:30]).

2. Rumors & Realities: Maxx Crosby and Coaching Connections

• While Maxx Crosby's name appears in the episode title, discussion of specific Crosby-to-Dallas rumors did not occur in this segment; instead, focus was on coaching changes, scheme fit, and FA targets.

Networking and Coaching Influence

• The hosts speculate about connections such as Vic Fangio potentially advising Dallas's new DC Christian Parker if Fangio retires, but agree such a move is unlikely.
  • [17:24] Host: “Could we see him maybe rejoin Christian Parker…? I don’t know. I’m just throwing it out there.”
  • [17:56] Stretch: “If he wants to retire, he’s probably going to step away from it… You can’t… be in the middle. I mean, you’re either retired or you’re in it.”

3. Player Evaluation & Free Agency Strategy

• With the DC and staff shakeup, front office and coaches may seek new player “types” to fit evolving schemes.
• Aisha highlights how the draft and free agency pool for secondary is “sneakily good” this year—specifically at corner and safety.
  • [07:51] Aisha: “This is a sneakily good [draft] class… some really nice safeties on the top end… Coach, you mentioned the free agency pool. There are a couple guys from the cornerback position… that I think Dallas could attack.”

Coach Involvement in Player Selection

• Smith explains how coaches and pro scouts collaborate, evaluating FA and draft prospects using a ranked internal system:
  • [27:16] Stretch: “You can walk into any pro department … and they’re going to have … boards … you could look up there and see who they had as the number one strong safety … they color tag those guys … every position is lined up that way…”
  • [30:34] Aisha: “Even through the coaching process… you’re getting a wider net of maybe stuff that maybe you don’t see… these coaches [offer] insight that maybe you didn’t have before…”

Free Agent DB Market

• Names mentioned as possible targets: Kevin Byard, Andre Cisco, Jalen Thompson, Reed Blankenship, Quan Brisker, Cameron Curl, and Tyreek Woolen.
• The cost of premier DBs will be high; Dallas will need to balance roster needs with salary constraints.
  • [34:00] Stretch: “How expensive are they?… You have to prioritize.”

Draft Rumors

• USA Today’s mock draft suggested Dallas might trade up for Caleb Downs, a versatile safety—though hosts consider this “a lot of dots to connect”.

4. Front Office & Collaborative Processes

• Both Aisha and Stretch underscore how the search for a new DC has been “collaborative” and “in unison” between the Jones family, Will McClay, and new coaching voices.
  • [34:59] Aisha: “He [McClay] said … it’s been very collaborative and… they’re in unison… That’s all we’ve been asking for, is that the defense did not look like it’s on the same page. They gotta put it on the field. But… it seems like everyone's like-minded about what's happening over there.”

5. George Pickens Contract Situation & Agent Dynamics

• Pickens, a key offensive contributor, is up for a new contract. The front office is reportedly considering using funds "saved" by not signing Parsons to pay Pickens.
  • [42:06] Host: “Apparently… Jerry Jones said… they would use the Pickens money… to take care of Pickens… That’s…the expectation…”
• Aisha critiques ownership’s messaging:
  • [42:07] Aisha: “I don't personally like when ownership says we can't pay one guy because of the other guy… It looked like you're trying to put your players against each other … you ain't got time for that because you ain't won a championship in decades.”
• Smith reads Jerry’s comments as posturing with Pickens’ agent, not the player.
  • [44:11] Stretch: “To me, that feels like that’s what Jerry’s doing… [He’s] extending the olive branch to the agent. Doesn't have anything to do with either one of the players.”

6. Javonte Williams’s Future at RB

• Despite his breakout season, there’s ongoing speculation Dallas might let RB Javonte Williams walk in FA, mirroring their recent undervaluation of the position.
  • [48:38] Aisha: “Does it look like they've gave a damn about running back [lately]?”
• Both hosts advocate for Williams’s retention, given his skills in pass protection and system comfort:
  • [49:53] Stretch: “[He] was busting his ass protecting and dual reading it inside out… When he wasn’t in there, man, did it show… There’s more value than just carrying the football.”
  • [51:51] Aisha: “If I'm Dallas… try to… keep this guy here… He already knows the offense. That's a plus.”

7. Roster Value & Cap Philosophy — The “Puzzle”

• The Seahawks’ build and rapid success with Sam Darnold provide a talking point on building around contract value, QB flexibility, and shrewd personnel moves:
  • [62:04] Stretch: “How did four teams miss on Sam Darnold? He's in a super bowl now… It's about evaluation matches money.”
• Lions aimed at the successful cost-controlled QB window, shrewd draft picks and FA moves—a template Dallas hopes to emulate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On defensive change:
  • [05:47] Glenn Stretch Smith: “The first step to recovery, to anything, is recognition, and they recognized that they didn't get it done defensively and they moved on from pretty much everybody on that side of the ball.”
• On defense schematic confusion:
  • [13:50] Glenn Stretch Smith: “A 34 defense, an okie defense can cause you some real problems, but you gotta have it all coordinated front to back end.”
• On Pickens contract saga:
  • [42:07] Aisha Morrison: “I don't personally like when ownership says we can't pay one guy because of the other guy. It's not my business, but I don't like it… That type of discord… is never beneficial to building a team.”
  • [44:11] Stretch: “He’s extending the olive branch to the agent. Doesn't have anything to do with either one of the players.”
• On running back valuation:
  • [49:53] Stretch: “…not only of his production, but… what he did from an overall perspective to help protect the quarterback… there's more value than just carrying the football.”
• On team-building & the Seahawks:
  • [65:47] Stretch: “That’s why John Schneider may very well be the GM of the year, right? Because he… made the right picks… smart how they spent their free agent money… You got to hope that works here.”
• On information as power:
  • [57:08] Stretch: “…all of those things are becoming a piece of the puzzle that they're trying to put into place… and as much information as you can get, it only enhances your ability to be able to balance your budget and pay guys the way you should pay them.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:13] – Opening thoughts on Cowboys coaching staff overhaul & defensive hires
• [04:13-08:56] – Secondary needs, new hires, and schematic direction (Derek Ansley, Christian Parker)
• [10:29-14:30] – In-depth breakdown: 3-4 vs 4-3 defense, scheme impact, and player responsibilities
• [17:24-20:41] – Vic Fangio speculation, coaching “consultant” rumors, and coaching life demands
• [27:16-34:59] – Free agency player evaluation process, coach/scout collaboration, impact on FA targets
• [31:54] – 2026 Draft/FA safety crop, rumors on trading up for Caleb Downs
• [42:06-46:44] – George Pickens contract situation and front office/agent dynamics
• [48:38-53:53] – Running back market, Javonte Williams’s fit and value, longevity concerns
• [62:04-66:52] – Seahawks’ success story as Dallas’s desired road map, final roster-building thoughts

Summary

This Cowboys Squad Show episode delivers a sweeping offseason primer, digging into how Dallas’s defensive overhaul is shaping up both in the coaching room and on the player personnel boards. Key voices explain how new defensive philosophies require new types of players, why collaboration at every level (scouting, coaching, front office) is vital, and how Dallas might navigate a sneaky-strong DB market in free agency and the draft. Contract challenges loom for key contributors like George Pickens and Javonte Williams, with hosts dissecting both market realities and public-relations missteps. Using current playoff teams as a lens, the panel underscores the necessity of smart evaluation and resource management—Dallas’s perennial puzzle, and one with little margin for error in 2026.

Next: Landon McCool and Marcus Mosher are expected back in coming episodes. Tune in Thursday for more roster speculation and Cowboys insights from the Squad.