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This week's announcement that C.J. Goodwin would be retiring from the NFL after a 10-year career will have long-lasting and far-reaching ripple effects within the Cowboys locker room. That may sound strange, considering Goodwin isn't exactly a household name with anyone who's not a hardcore fan.
But the 36-year-old veteran had grown to become one of the team's most trusted voices over his time in Dallas. And while some observers have already mentioned Goodwin as an attractive potential addition to the Cowboys' coaching staff, there is the more immediate- and not insignificant- matter of his vital on-the-field contributions to the Cowboys' special teams unit.
One of the pressing questions for Oxnard has now become: who will step into Goodwin's shoes and be the new special teams ace in Dallas?
Goodwin's absence will be felt early and often as the 2026 Cowboys line up. He finished with the most special teams snaps on the roster in four of his eight years wearing the star and was a close second in two more.
The only two seasons Goodwin did not place in the top two? The ones in which he missed serious time due to a broken forearm and a torn pectoral muscle. (Even then, in 2018, Goodwin only joined the Cowboys midseason before suffering an injury.) Outside of those two abbreviated campaigns, though, Goodwin never saw less than 65% of the club's total special teams plays.
He leaves a big hole, to be sure, but it's safe to assume Goodwin's 2,211 special teams snaps (compared to only 62 on defense) as a Cowboy won't simply be handed over to just one player.
So who stands to benefit with extra field time?
Marist Liufau might seem a logical choice on paper, as he was the Cowboys' second-most-active special-teamer in 2025. The third-year linebacker played on 75% of the Cowboys' special teams snaps, up from 35% as a rookie. But head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already confirmed that Liufau would be reassigned to more of an edge-rushing role in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's new system. If anything, Liufau's special teams usage might actually see a drop.
Markquese Bell is a legit candidate. He played on 63% of last season's special teams snaps, and 66% the year prior. The undrafted free agent has been deployed a number of different ways in his four years with the team, including heavy use as a linebacker-safety hybrid early on in his career. With newly-added Jalen Thompson, mainstay Malik Hooker, and first-round selection Caleb Downs leading the depth chart at safety, Bell's best shot at seeing the field may indeed be in the game's third phase, maybe even in an increased capacity.
The Cowboys also have a handful of minor contributors who could be asked to do more with Goodwin gone. Defensive backs Alijah Clark, Trikweze Bridges, Reddy Steward, and Zion Childress all logged at least some time on special teams in 2025. Special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen may have more for them to do this year, depending on how Parker shuffles the rotations in his revamped secondary.
P.J. Locke could be another one to watch. The eighth-year man, signed in March, is listed as a safety, but he has extensive special teams experience. Locke played on over 75% of the Broncos' special teams snaps over his first three seasons in Denver, and his 198 special teams plays last season would have ranked him seventh in Dallas.
Or could a rookie carve out a sizable role? The aforementioned Downs figures to be too important to Parker's defense to get much action on special teams, but fourth-round cornerback pick Devin Moore comes to camp looking to prove he's durable enough to make the squad. Special teams may be his opportunity.
Of course, there's no rule that says Goodwin, who was technically a cornerback, has to be replaced by another DB. Plenty of other players at other positions moonlight more than adequately on special teams, and there's no shortage of guys looking for extra ways to secure a roster spot. Could a linebacker, tight end, or even a running back become the new special teams specialist?
Cowboys fans are hoping that Schottenheimer, Sorensen, and maybe even Goodwin have already discussed that succession plan as part of the newly-retired Goodwin's exit interview.
Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Which Cowboys will step up on special teams after C.J. Goodwin's departure?
Continue reading...
But the 36-year-old veteran had grown to become one of the team's most trusted voices over his time in Dallas. And while some observers have already mentioned Goodwin as an attractive potential addition to the Cowboys' coaching staff, there is the more immediate- and not insignificant- matter of his vital on-the-field contributions to the Cowboys' special teams unit.
One of the pressing questions for Oxnard has now become: who will step into Goodwin's shoes and be the new special teams ace in Dallas?
Goodwin's absence will be felt early and often as the 2026 Cowboys line up. He finished with the most special teams snaps on the roster in four of his eight years wearing the star and was a close second in two more.
The only two seasons Goodwin did not place in the top two? The ones in which he missed serious time due to a broken forearm and a torn pectoral muscle. (Even then, in 2018, Goodwin only joined the Cowboys midseason before suffering an injury.) Outside of those two abbreviated campaigns, though, Goodwin never saw less than 65% of the club's total special teams plays.
He leaves a big hole, to be sure, but it's safe to assume Goodwin's 2,211 special teams snaps (compared to only 62 on defense) as a Cowboy won't simply be handed over to just one player.
So who stands to benefit with extra field time?
Marist Liufau might seem a logical choice on paper, as he was the Cowboys' second-most-active special-teamer in 2025. The third-year linebacker played on 75% of the Cowboys' special teams snaps, up from 35% as a rookie. But head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already confirmed that Liufau would be reassigned to more of an edge-rushing role in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's new system. If anything, Liufau's special teams usage might actually see a drop.
Markquese Bell is a legit candidate. He played on 63% of last season's special teams snaps, and 66% the year prior. The undrafted free agent has been deployed a number of different ways in his four years with the team, including heavy use as a linebacker-safety hybrid early on in his career. With newly-added Jalen Thompson, mainstay Malik Hooker, and first-round selection Caleb Downs leading the depth chart at safety, Bell's best shot at seeing the field may indeed be in the game's third phase, maybe even in an increased capacity.
The Cowboys also have a handful of minor contributors who could be asked to do more with Goodwin gone. Defensive backs Alijah Clark, Trikweze Bridges, Reddy Steward, and Zion Childress all logged at least some time on special teams in 2025. Special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen may have more for them to do this year, depending on how Parker shuffles the rotations in his revamped secondary.
P.J. Locke could be another one to watch. The eighth-year man, signed in March, is listed as a safety, but he has extensive special teams experience. Locke played on over 75% of the Broncos' special teams snaps over his first three seasons in Denver, and his 198 special teams plays last season would have ranked him seventh in Dallas.
Or could a rookie carve out a sizable role? The aforementioned Downs figures to be too important to Parker's defense to get much action on special teams, but fourth-round cornerback pick Devin Moore comes to camp looking to prove he's durable enough to make the squad. Special teams may be his opportunity.
Of course, there's no rule that says Goodwin, who was technically a cornerback, has to be replaced by another DB. Plenty of other players at other positions moonlight more than adequately on special teams, and there's no shortage of guys looking for extra ways to secure a roster spot. Could a linebacker, tight end, or even a running back become the new special teams specialist?
Cowboys fans are hoping that Schottenheimer, Sorensen, and maybe even Goodwin have already discussed that succession plan as part of the newly-retired Goodwin's exit interview.
Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Which Cowboys will step up on special teams after C.J. Goodwin's departure?
Continue reading...
