![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_283,w_3598,h_2023\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/cowboys_country\/01ked5m38xwhmq2c4thx.jpg\")
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In an effort to build a solid defense, the\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0have invested just over $180 million in their secondary since 2023. They paid Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland north of $90 million each, but when it came to the slot corner, Jerry Jones went cheap.<\/p>\n
Jones didn\u2019t attempt to retain Jourdan Lewis, who was coming off the best season of his career. This led to his departure as the Jacksonville Jaguars paid Lewis $30 million over three seasons. As expected, he outperformed that contract while the Cowboys struggled to stop every opposing offense.<\/p>\n
Lewis\u2019 departure was felt so strongly that Jones admitted the defense was hurt more than they expected by his departure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost the nickel, and it hurt us more than we thought. The nickel was a serious loss for us. It made a big difference not having [Lewis] out there. And, so, we have got to get better there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026The number one thing was we thought \u2014when we lost our nickel last year \u2014 we could [move] Bland in and out, and get him going back and forth. He wasn’t quite as suited to getting inside and being a nickel as we thought he would be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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for the first time since losing him to 2025 free agency, Jerry Jones openly lamented the #Cowboys<\/a> loss of Jourdan Lewis \u2014 saying it created shockwaves they didn\u2019t expect:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost the nickel, and it hurt us more than we thought. The nickel was a serious loss\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/R6xjN7OJ0k<\/a><\/p>\n
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n