The Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Logan Wilson partnership didn’t last long.

After trading for him last November, the Cowboys released Wilson on Friday, the team announced. The move comes on the heels of the hire of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who is expected to have plenty of input in building Dallas’ defense in 2026—both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

Salary cap impact

Wilson’s release creates $6.52 million in cap space for the Cowboys.

Most of Wilson’s cap hit came from a $6 million salary he was owed in 2026. His contract, which he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, ran through 2027. At 30 years old, Wilson will look for his third NFL team since the start of last season.

According to Over the Cap, the move puts the Cowboys at $23.65 million over the cap.

Though the above seems like a catastrophic number, the Cowboys are expected to use contract restructures to free cap space ahead of free agency. Restructuring key figures on the roster could position Dallas with over $100 million in cap space.

What went wrong with Wilson?

First and foremost, it should be noted the Cowboys traded for Wilson in a low-risk move. They gave up a seventh-round draft pick knowing their relationship with Wilson could be short-lived.

At the time, the Bengals had already benched the veteran as a calf injury kept him from moving the same as when he was a standout starter. Despite the Cowboys’ linebacker play being mediocre last season, Wilson failed to earn a full-time role on defense. At one point of the season, he didn’t take the field at all, and the Cowboys later explained they didn’t play him out of confusion.

“That was unfortunate with Logan,” Jerry Jones said in December. “(The defense) didn’t have many snaps throughout the game, much less in the first half—very few snaps. I wouldn’t call it a mistake, but there was some confusion in terms of how that rotation was supposed to go with (linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi) and the rotation there.”

Cowboys linebackers future is blurry

With Parker installing a new defensive scheme in Dallas, here are the linebackers currently under contract for the 2026 NFL season:

• DeMarvion Overshown
• Marist Liufau
• Shemar James
• Justin Barron

I would expect additions at the position, but Overshown is clearly in line to start. Parker talked about fielding players who are good regardless of scheme and there’s no denying DeMarvion’s speed athleticism makes him a threat in any situation.

Wilson is the first significant change at the position. Gear up for more.

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