FC Dallas offseason: Who should stay and who should go heading into 2026

The ball is starting to get rolling for FC Dallas on this offseason following a wild 2025 season.

We recently did a little game in which you could play the FC Dallas GM for the day and decide who you wanted to stay with next season and who you wanted to say goodbye to this offseason.

We had a lot of responses (thank you for taking the time to do it!), and boy, you all have some opinions. Let’s dive into the results from your selections for those who are either needing their option picked up or are out of contract going into 2026. I’ll give you my thoughts on the results as well as my final prediction for how FCD will handle things this winter.

Current roster status

FC Dallas has over half of its roster under contract for 2026 (and in some cases beyond that), while the rest is up for discussion.

Out of Contract

Jacob Jackson

GM Results:

Thoughts: Given the results for Maarten Paes (see the notes below), I think it makes sense to give Jackson a new deal that keeps him here for a couple more seasons. He proved that not only was he really good in a pinch, but he fits what Dallas needs in goal under Eric Quill.

Roster decision: Retain with a new contract

Options

Sebastien Ibeagha - Option for 2026

GM Results:

Thoughts: Like many of you, I’m willing to either decline his option or bring him back at a much lower salary in 2026. A lot of that comes down to whether or not Dallas has good options on the open market this winter at center back like they did a year ago.

Roster decision: Reject option, but work to re-sign at lower salary

Nolan Norris - Option for 2026, 2027

GM Results:

Thoughts: I won’t get into the two people who wanted to either decline his option or work to seek a trade within MLS after exercising his option. To each their own, I suppose in that regards. The majority of you are very much in the same line of thinking that I am with Norris, he’s worth holding on to. I’m expecting the club to retain and also offer him a new extended contract.

Roster decision: Exercise option and purse and extension.