Jerry Jones, Cowboys Lose Defensive End on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 3:10 PM ET

Jerry Jones watched on as the Dallas Cowboys struggled under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, finishing the 2025 NFL season with a 7-9-1 record, missing out on the playoffs. Now, the Cowboys have turned their attention to the 2026 NFL season, opening the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 15.

After trading away All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas boasted one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year. In fact, the Cowboys allowed 251.5 passing yards per game, along with 30.1 points, which were both the worst in the NFL. And now, the Cowboys' top pass rusher from last year will not be on the team.

Kirby Lee-IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jadeveon Clowney, a 6-foot-5 defensive end out of South Carolina, was selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons in Houston, becoming an All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler. But since 2019, Clowney has been unable to find a permanent home, bouncing around the league.

And in Week 2 of last season, with the Cowboys struggling to rush the quarterback, they elected to bring in Clowney on a one-year deal. It turned out to be a good move for Dallas, as he led the team with 8.5 sacks, while adding 41 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

But on Monday, Clowney decided to go back to where his NFL career began, signing a new deal with the Texans. So if Jones and the Cowboys had any intentions of bringing their top pass-rusher back, that is now no longer an option.

"Texans have agreed to terms with DE Jadeveon Clowney," the NFL wrote on X.