For the first time in nearly 3 years, I can say that I'm excited about this season. I'm excited about the Dallas Cowboys 2026 season.
I'm going to start by going out on a limb.....which is probably stupid with me being a horse... I think if the Dallas Cowboys can stay healthy, I think the Dallas Cowboys can contend in 2026. Not just for the division. I think the Cowboys can contend for a SB. I'm NOT saying we will win it. I'm NOT saying it's our year. But I am saying that I think, if the Dallas Cowboys can stay healthy, the team is built with the potential to contend for it all.
Firstly, our offense was solid last year. If we can get our red zone offense better, this offense should be even better. I love the Shelton pick, and I think that Shelton allows us to improve RT. I think we should be able to run the ball better in the red zone. If we can do that, this offense should be even deadlier.
Secondly, obviously, we have Aubrey back. Hopefully he returns to form, because, if he returns to automatic form, I think the results speak for themselves.
Finally, and most importantly, I love, on paper, how much the front office has improved our defence. I was annoyed with them the last two offseasons and was very clear about that. This year, I'm delighted with the moves that have been made. Firstly, I made it clear earlier in the offseason that I like the hire of Parker. I think he's going to be a great DC for us. I love that he's actually been allowed to exert his influence already, and I like the moves that have been made.
Firstly, I think more of a 3-4 base will suit the Cowboys much better. I love that we actually seem to have a plan for the picks and signings that were made. Usually, it seems we're just signing players because they're cheap and winging it. This year, it seems there's an actual plan in place. I can get behind moves when there's a clear plan, and the moves seem logical.
As for our dline, I love the move for Gary. I liked the trade last season for Quinnen Williams. I like the draft picks of Lawrence and Overton. I think they're going to be excellent edge rushers for us in our 3-4 base. I like that we seem like we're going to incorporate a much more physical dline this year. It makes sense, especially since Parker came from Philly. With a much more physical dline, our linebackers and dbs jobs become much easier. Players like Daron Bland should have MUCH better seasons. I think Bland should be able to get back to being an interception magnet because QBs should have a much more difficult time throwing the ball. I also like that the dline looks much more capable of run stopping too with how physical they are. Look how big our dline is. Just for starters, we should have Gary, Clark, and Williams. There aren't enough olinemen to double all of them. Then you factor on the outsides Eze (who will probably be an OLB)/Houston and Lawrence? My goodness!!! That should be fun on the outside!!!
Then let's look at LB! Firstly, the trade up for our DB that I'll get more into along with the trade back to get Lawrence? Brilliant moves by Jerry! Even if you don't like Jerry, that was BRILLIANT! One of the reasons? It allowed us to flip a 5 for Dee Winters. Already out linebacker position looks much better. But then they didn't stop there. We then got Barham? I know we've had issues with Michigan players (aside from Jourdan Lewis), but from what I saw of Barham? He's an absolute beast! His motor is incredible. I think he, Winters, and Overshown are going to be LETHAL! Heck, even for OLB, you'd be looking at probably Barham and probably Eze at OLB in a 3-4? Already that's a MUCH better LB group than we've had for YEARS!! Not only is our dline looking much better, but our linebackers look much better. I love how physical Barham is. It's about time we have a LB with the ability to hit hard. I think we are going to be MUCH harder to run against. That should create a lot more passing situations. That's where the pass rush comes in, but that's also not even the best part of this offseason yet! It's a great part, but there's more beyond what should be a MUCH better front 7.
DBs - this....this might be an elite unit now....firstly, Parker's skillset is particularly with DBs. Firstly, I don't think Bland is as bad as people say. In 2023 when we had the ability to rush the QB, he set the record for pick 6s in one season. I think, with the front 7 we have and Parker, I think he has the ability to be a ball hawk again. I think Revel has the capability to be a solid CB, but I also love the signing of Cobie Durant. He was very good with the Rams. But that's not all, because the Cowboys then signed Locke and Thompson. That's a nice set of veteran safeties. But then, in the draft, we got Downs!!!! Wow!!!! He might have been the best player in the draft and we got him!! He's an absolute monster, and if he stays healthy for us, our safeties should be better than they've been since...well....I don't know because I'm 33. Downs being coached by Parker? That should be awesome!! But then, for the cherry on top, we got Moore in the draft. I understand his injury history, but, 1. Florida's training staff was an absolute mess and 2. We only used the 114th on him. Also, when healthy, he was a unit for Florida.
All of a sudden, the difference between the players on defence we have now compared to the last 2 years or so? It's night and day on paper. I know they actually have to play the games, but the team looks SO much better than it has in years! And as a result? I'm excited for the season. The big key now? The team needs to stay healthy. If the Cowboys can stay healthy, I love how we look.
