Have the Cowboys improved enough to make the playoffs?

[Acceptablename]

Going into 2026 we are facing potentially 3 consecutive losing seasons . Which hasn’t happened since the Campo era 5-11 futility in consecutive seasons.

This of course would have followed 3 consecutive 12 win playoff seasons. Amazing how far we’ve fallen. It’s already cost one HC, will it cost another.

Is Shotty on the hot seat? Would 2 consecutive losing seasons spur on another HC change ?

No doubt we’ve improved our defensive roster. And hopefully a first time DC scheme will compliment a big turnover on defensive roster. I like our chances of finishing above .500. Playoffs IDK.

But it will still all hinge on offense having as big of year as 2025. And keeping Dak healthy. We wasted a full healthy season last year. Defense just needs to be closer to average than worst. And this is all assuming the rest of division and NFC hasn’t improved as well .

Will there be 7 teams in NFC better. Could be. Sea, SF, LA, Det, GB, Chi and Phi I’d argue all go in as more likely to get in. 9 or 10 wins might not be enough. Should be interesting. But much riding on not having another losing and non playoff season.

What makes you suggest or question Shotty job security

 

[kumizi]

Not unless Ezeiruaku and Gary are a lot better than I expect. Tough to have a good defense with a weak pass rush.

 

[Adreme]

Probably not. The rest of the division also drafted well. The Eagles found more cap room for a high priced veteran (somehow), the Commanders addressed holes in the draft and will presumably have a healthier QB this year, and the Giants have brought in a lot of free agents and may have nailed their first round as well. So yes the Cowboys improved but so did the rest of the division and also the rest of the NFC is looking quite strong as well so a Wild Card spot will not be easy.

 

[kumizi]

They've clearly improved on paper. Does that mean they'll make the playoffs? No one can say for certain.

Where else have they improved other than safety?

 

[John813]

I mean, it's still a lot of hope that:

1. Parker can be a good DC in year 1.
2. The talent we drafted/signed actually pan out
3. We don't go through injuries in key spots
4. No unexpected regression.

The front office spent a little bit in FA to get guys for Parker and then dedicated most of the draft for the defense.
But after round 2(where we had no pick), it becomes more of luck to get solid contributions right away from rookies.
Barham may play early next year but to be determined at how many snaps and how well.

 

[Havic]

They have a lot of the right pieces in place, I think on paper we are a wildcard team. It will take time for the defense to adjust to playing with each other and a new coordinator

 

[Stash]

Uberpuss took the hit for that dumpster fire of a roster that our GM gave him.

And for being terrible at his job.

 

[jazzcat22]

When I look at schedule it has potentially a bunch of losses:
Sea, SF, LAR, GB, Hou, Balt ,Jax & Phi all playoff teams from 2025

There’s 8. And that’s assuming we can go to Indy and win, Split against Phi while sweeping Wash & NY .

We can probably win a couple against those playoff teams but also likely to be upset.

10 wins going to be tough.

Teams can change quite a bit in 1 year now. We all know this, but if it can happen for other teams, it can happen for Dallas.

But Dallas could sneak into the playoffs. They could even possibly win the NFCE.
NYG and Washington have improved. But I don't think enough to ever take Dallas at #2 in the NFCE. Look at Washington 2 year ago going to the NFCCG. then finishing near the bottom of the NFL last year.
Chicago near the bottom 2 years ago, and played lights out last year.

There are usually about 3 new teams from each conference making the playoffs every year, and that means 3 in each missing the playoffs.
Seattle, SF, LAR, would all 3 make the playoffs again? I say one team drops back and misses.
Chicago, GB. 1 may miss the playoffs this year, probably GB, could the Vikings slip back in.

Only 1 team most likely again from the NFCS.

So can both the Eagles and Cowboys make it, or can the Cowboys over take the Eagles. I see Philly taking a step back.
I am not going to predict a playoff spot at this point in time. I really want to look what other teams off season moves look like first.

In no. particular order.
As of now my top teams are Seattle, LAR, Chicago, Carolina, Philly (since they won the NFCE last year).
Then a mix of SF, Detroit, TB, Dallas, GB, Minnesota.

I think Detroit and SF, Detroit, GB are on the decline, maybe even TB. Minnesota could be but they seem so hot and cold lately, we have no idea.

I think we are on the edge of a WC.. With the right luck, of how we want the defense to play, and health of course they can get in.

 

[GMO415]

Going into 2026 we are facing potentially 3 consecutive losing seasons . Which hasn’t happened since the Campo era 5-11 futility in consecutive seasons.

This of course would have followed 3 consecutive 12 win playoff seasons. Amazing how far we’ve fallen. It’s already cost one HC, will it cost another.

Is Shotty on the hot seat? Would 2 consecutive losing seasons spur on another HC change ?

No doubt we’ve improved our defensive roster. And hopefully a first time DC scheme will compliment a big turnover on defensive roster. I like our chances of finishing above .500. Playoffs IDK.

But it will still all hinge on offense having as big of year as 2025. And keeping Dak healthy. We wasted a full healthy season last year. Defense just needs to be closer to average than worst. And this is all assuming the rest of division and NFC hasn’t improved as well .

Will there be 7 teams in NFC better. Could be. Sea, SF, LA, Det, GB, Chi and Phi I’d argue all go in as more likely to get in. 9 or 10 wins might not be enough. Should be interesting. But much riding on not having another losing and non playoff season.

No doubt DAL has improved its defensive roster? That's a loaded question. The draft provided an improved roster but that won't equate immediately and result in more Ws.

Dallas still has the worst defense in NFL history because rookies won't move the chains until year 2 or 3 so they won't even make the playoffs this year..... again.

 

[Stash]

Probably not. The rest of the division also drafted well. The Eagles found more cap room for a high priced veteran (somehow), the Commanders addressed holes in the draft and will presumably have a healthier QB this year, and the Giants have brought in a lot of free agents and may have nailed their first round as well. So yes the Cowboys improved but so did the rest of the division and also the rest of the NFC is looking quite strong as well so a Wild Card spot will not be easy.

Would you consider the 2026 Eagles better or worse than the 2025 team?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

But it will still all hinge on offense having as big of year as 2025. And keeping Dak healthy. We wasted a full healthy season last year. Defense just needs to be closer to average than worst. And this is all assuming the rest of division and NFC hasn’t improved as well

This is why I think 2025 will be a freeby for Schotty. Remember, this is Jerry we are talking about. I don't see him firing Schotty and paying off the final 2 years of his contract unless we hit rock bottom with only just a few wins. The 2025 defense was on Jerry ( hiring Eberflus and trading Parsons)

As mentioned in another thread, I personally think we have done enough during the off-season to contend but you have to do it on the field.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I can see 9 wins tops. That might be enough depending on how the nfc is this year.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Dallas still has the worst defense in NFL history because rookies won't move the chains until year 2 or 3 so they won't even make the playoffs this year.

You don't think coaching changes will make a difference?

 

[dupree89]

Teams can change quite a bit in 1 year now. We all know this, but if it can happen for other teams, it can happen for Dallas.

But Dallas could sneak into the playoffs. They could even possibly win the NFCE.
NYG and Washington have improved. But I don't think enough to ever take Dallas at #2 in the NFCE. Look at Washington 2 year ago going to the NFCCG. then finishing near the bottom of the NFL last year.
Chicago near the bottom 2 years ago, and played lights out last year.

There are usually about 3 new teams from each conference making the playoffs every year, and that means 3 in each missing the playoffs.
Seattle, SF, LAR, would all 3 make the playoffs again? I say one team drops back and misses.
Chicago, GB. 1 may miss the playoffs this year, probably GB, could the Vikings slip back in.

Only 1 team most likely again from the NFCS.

So can both the Eagles and Cowboys make it, or can the Cowboys over take the Eagles. I see Philly taking a step back.
I am not going to predict a playoff spot at this point in time. I really want to look what other teams off season moves look like first.

In no. particular order.
As of now my top teams are Seattle, LAR, Chicago, Carolina, Philly (since they won the NFCE last year).
Then a mix of SF, Detroit, TB, Dallas, GB, Minnesota.

I think Detroit and SF, Detroit, GB are on the decline, maybe even TB. Minnesota could be but they seem so hot and cold lately, we have no idea.

I think we are on the edge of a WC.. With the right luck, of how we want the defense to play, and health of course they can get in.

thats very fair, jazzcat

 

[dlobell]

If one of our guys proves to be a second starting caliber outside CB (not even necessarily a good one, just a serviceable one), I think we are a playoff team for sure if injuries do not derail our season. If we don't, I think we still could be but need more to break our way.

I think it has more to do with how our pass rush will be.

 

[Pentagruel]

It’s tough to say because of the turnover on defense, both coaching and playing personnel. With that kind of turnover it’s very hard to predict what will happen on that side of the ball. Of course it’s hard to be worse there and even modest improvement may be enough to net them a playoff spot. Either way, I’m excited to see what happens. It’s been a while since Dallas has done anything at all that wasn’t predictable.

 

[DUO_CORE]

It depends on how many other teams regressed.

 

[GMO415]

You don't think coaching changes will make a difference?

Nope. I had them winning 5 games last year and I was awfully close. Coaching alone won't elevate them to 9-10 wins

 

[deerhunter11]

Schotty on the hot seat because he couldn’t make chicken salad out of chicken ****??? Laughable

Totally agree, Ol Jerry hiring Eberflus last season and trading Parsons makes last season a pass for any hot seat BS on Brian Schottenheimer. Ol Jerry put the screws to the 2025 season before the season had a chance to get started. Ol Jerry then improved the team mid-season by trading for Quinnen Williams in the same reactionary way he always does after his team killing moves already made winning very difficult. This season will be more of a barometer to really see what Schottenheimer has as a head coach. Ol Jerry and Eberflus turned out to be a match made in hell for last year's team, and the drama between Ol Jerry and the suspect coaching job from Eberflus looked like a bad match from start to finish. It looked like Eberflus lost the desire to even try to coach the defense at all, no adjustments were made all season long. Eberflus kept Murray, Elam and Donavon Wilson in the starting line up even though they failed to improve the whole miserable season. Eberflus was coaching like he was pouting; this was the worst coaching performance I have ever witnessed in Dallas history, and I have been watching Dallas since 1973.

 

[deerhunter11]

..no, dont think so. I was surprised how good Shotty did first year. With abysmal defense ranked almost last, yet managed to win 7 games.

Offense showed lots ingenuity we hadnt seen in years. Im excited what he's bringing next few years.

Last season was Ol Jerrys failure not Brian Schottenheimers.