Our season probably hinges on these areas

[Fla Cowpoke]

-Left tackle is the top concern, no doubt.

-Not worried about LB unless there’s a ton of injuries, and from what I understand, they will be using only two in most sets.

-Overall, I’m a bit concerned that they may have gotten a bit complacent on offense while trying to fix such an awful defense. This offense was far from perfect and if Guyton hasn’t improved, he is capable of bringing the entire thing down.

They need another playmaker somewhere. That could easily be Blue, or maybe Trigg emerges, or Turpins role could expand (not recommended lol) but I do think they need someone else to step up and be a threat beyond CD and GP.

Flournoy is the most likely to become the third threat. He showed great improvement and rapport with Dak.

 

[Vtwin]

If the defense shows enough improvement to keep the score manageable and gets off the field more on third down, and the running game stays at least on par with last season, mediocrity at OT can be somewhat managed with scheme and QB.

My biggest worries are at LB and corner.

Coaching is a big question mark. BS is going to have to adjust to defenses adjusting to his scheme and Parker is a complete unknown.

This season could really go either way as far as I see it.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I get it, but.....he does the exact thing, soooooooooo. I actually think he has about 245,612 bookmarks of certain threads, just ask him

Oh I’m sure he does he for sure he has receipts when it comes to the “haters” lol

 

[big dog cowboy]

It’s a given that if Prescott goes down it’s all over. 2020 and 2024 are perfect examples.

I never understood having Milton as a two when you’re claiming you want to win.

You just described most of the teams in this league.

 

[blueblood70]

-Left tackle is the top concern, no doubt.

-Not worried about LB unless there’s a ton of injuries, and from what I understand, they will be using only two in most sets.

-Overall, I’m a bit concerned that they may have gotten a bit complacent on offense while trying to fix such an awful defense. This offense was far from perfect and if Guyton hasn’t improved, he is capable of bringing the entire thing down.

They need another playmaker somewhere. That could easily be Blue, or maybe Trigg emerges, or Turpins role could expand (not recommended lol) but I do think they need someone else to step up and be a threat beyond CD and GP.

Of course it's a weak spot and it's a concern to point out the fact is they started top five offense in the league last year even with those weaknesses I'm not concerned about it because I believe they'll correct it a little bit more this year Everything to me shifts to the defense again how could it not I am not worried because we already had a successful campaign with the same two tackles with another year with Adams trying to correct Guyton get a little bit more out of steele in the passing game..

I do agree that it's a concern but not something I'm pointing to whether we have a good season or not because the offense clicked regardless of that weakness they just use the strengths and they did play calling to avoid some of that area..


Come back to defense when you have a historically bad defense for the third time since 2016 and you've got rid of like 50% of your defensive roster and you have a bunch of new players defensive coaches and new DC for the first time yes that's a concern that's the only concern we need to have an average defense We need to get this defense from #32 up to the 20s to start and hopefully end up mid if they can get a mid range defense with that offense that's what it all hinges on.

Brian Schottenheimer's campaign last year was shot down because of the defense and a little bit of the special team but I believe the defensive injuries then the constant needing bodies over there it affected the special teams..

 

[blueblood70]

It’s gonna come down to Dak IMO. The QB position.

Sounds like a given answer but I don’t expect anything from young players or rookies. Downs is a given. But I think Steele and Guyton are what they are. In order for this team to go where it needs to go Dak has to make up for any issues we have. Dak has to be able to deal with having Steele and Guyton. It’s what he has.

The defense….i think they will be better. I’m
Thinking fringe top 20 defense. First time coordinator and these core guys 3rd DC in just as many years…for some guys it’s their 4th….if he can get them top 20 that’s a miracle based on what I saw last year.


I’d love for Dak to be able to manage and a run an offense where he is driving the bus but that’s not what’s presented to us.

It comes down to him staying healthy but outside of that it doesn't cause no matter how how good he played last year it didn't matter 'cause the defense was horrible The defense needs to be a lot better this year for this team to have any success at all writing.

It all hinges on the defense and yes Prescott staying healthy not how well he plays or not avoiding bad tackles or people not performing around him typically when he's healthy and finishes the season he does his part regardless of people feel about the record he he cannot have done much more last year that's asking for him to be perfect..

And I'll say it again it all really hinges on two things The defense improving from 32 to 20 early in the season and then by the end of the year them playing at least in around average ,

And Prescott being upright waiting for that to happen... In 2024 it didn't happen it started out horrible nobody was blocking tackling getting open His numbers were bad to start the year because of how bad everything looked and then he gets injured and the defense was pretty bad too...

So that's exactly what we don't want to happen we don't need another 2024 where everybody's struggling to begin with prescott doesn't remain on the field until they try to workout the other problems.. Last year he did stay on the field and he had great season in my opinion but the defense and special teams destroyed all the good things that he could have done and now we're back with the risk factor can he remain healthy while waiting on the rest of it to come together...hmm

 

[fivetwos]

The stronger point he's making is that the team win/loss record should have shown much more wins while he was a starter prior to his injuries. Especially like in '20 and 24, which he pointed out.

If they were doing great "while he was the starter" and then fell off a cliff record wise then its a different story.
That ain't what TP is showing here.
Just the opposite in fact.

jmo

Yep I thought I missed something there.

 

[Kwyn]

So you think this team can do just as much with Howell as Prescott? That can’t be what you’re saying.

Every year since Romo/Prescott when they lost the starter early….24, 20, 15 off the top of my head, the season was essentially over. To a lesser degree when Romo missed significant time in 2008 and Brad Johnson could no longer throw a football.

With two exceptions that we all know too well, when a team loses its starting QB they aren’t making some deep playoff run.

There are regulars here who seriously believe that the team should have kept Cooper Rush the starter even after Dak returned from injury

After leaving Dallas he had half a season in Baltimore before they cut him in favor of Tyler Huntley as Lamar’s backup,

 

[thunderpimp91]

So you think this team can do just as much with Howell as Prescott? That can’t be what you’re saying.

Sure, why not? I think Howell has more than enough arm talent to be effective working within a very good offense. As long as hes not the 20+ turnover player he was in Washington we would probably be fine....obviously that's a big IF though, and a big reason why he had to settle for a backup gig last year. 21 INTs on a bad team in your age 23 season though isn't a complete kiss of death. To me there are only a few QBs around the league that are truly elite level where the quality of play drops off so much you just cant compete without them, or your scheme is totally dependent upon this super human athlete like a Baltimore. For Dallas I kind of view them currently as a 9-11 win type of team this year. I wouldn't downgrade that win total much at all with Howell taking over.....maybe a game?

Stafford was always viewed in a positive light, but really wasnt in that elite category until he got a loaded team in LA. Mayfield was struggling to stay on a team until he got to throw to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Goff was though of as a placeholder when traded to Detroit....until they got weapons to make themselves one of the top offenses int he league.

I think we pay too much attention to the QB and not enough the rest of the rosters. I think there is a reason so many rookie contract QBs are making deep runs and many start to fall off after getting paid.

Every year since Romo/Prescott when they lost the starter early….24, 20, 15 off the top of my head, the season was essentially over. To a lesser degree when Romo missed significant time in 2008 and Brad Johnson could no longer throw a football.

And they key there is 40 year old Brad Johnson....were talking about a journeyman QB who was completely done by the time he got to Dallas. Not only could he not throw at that point in his career, but he couldnt move either as evidence of him getting sacked on nearly 10% of his dropbacks. The drop off from prime Romo to Johnson was extreme, and thats what you need to avoid is the extremes. If you have playmakers on offense you can get away with an average arm QB that avoids the negative plays.

I will give you the 2015 season as a really strong argument for what you're saying though. That's a team that obviously flopped without their QB, despite being pretty good overall. I'm sure there are other examples too so I don't want to completely dismiss what you're saying. Especially the further back you go I think the more relevant the QB position was.

With two exceptions that we all know too well, when a team loses its starting QB they aren’t making some deep playoff run.

I'm not sure what the data looks like long term, but I'm curious how many opportunities and realistic opportunities guys are getting to play long term backup and make runs...last year 20 QBs started at least 14 games for their teams....many of the others that didn't were benched more so for performance than injury. Burrow went down, Daniel Jones went down, but overall the QB health around the league seemed to be fairly OK. Not sure if the long term data would be in line with these numbers or not?

Given a relatively small number of long term QB injuries I do wonder if the Brock Purdy and Nick Foles type runs are really all that rare or not when viewed in relation to the number of opportunities? I'd be interested in what that answer would be, but that also feels like a ton of work lol.

 

[fivetwos]

Of course it's a weak spot and it's a concern to point out the fact is they started top five offense in the league last year even with those weaknesses I'm not concerned about it because I believe they'll correct it a little bit more this year Everything to me shifts to the defense again how could it not I am not worried because we already had a successful campaign with the same two tackles with another year with Adams trying to correct Guyton get a little bit more out of steele in the passing game..

I do agree that it's a concern but not something I'm pointing to whether we have a good season or not because the offense clicked regardless of that weakness they just use the strengths and they did play calling to avoid some of that area..


Come back to defense when you have a historically bad defense for the third time since 2016 and you've got rid of like 50% of your defensive roster and you have a bunch of new players defensive coaches and new DC for the first time yes that's a concern that's the only concern we need to have an average defense We need to get this defense from #32 up to the 20s to start and hopefully end up mid if they can get a mid range defense with that offense that's what it all hinges on.

Brian Schottenheimer's campaign last year was shot down because of the defense and a little bit of the special team but I believe the defensive injuries then the constant needing bodies over there it affected the special teams..

Folks are going to have different levels of concern at different spots. Just opinions. No one is wrong at this point.

Many think edge is an issue. I think it’s fine. Same with LB. Obviously injuries can ruin the depth at any position for any team at any time.

For me, I don’t even see the entire defense being as much of a question as offensive tackle. If Guyton shows up and appears to have it together, we all need to do backflips that day.

Other than LT I feel as if this team is in better shape on paper than it’s been in a while, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all materialize. Problem is LT is just sort of a key position. Cant hide.

 

[blueblood70]

Folks are going to have different levels of concern at different spots. Just opinions. No one is wrong at this point.

Many think edge is an issue. I think it’s fine. Same with LB. Obviously injuries can ruin the depth at any position for any team at any time.

For me, I don’t even see the entire defense being as much of a question as offensive tackle. If Guyton shows up and appears to have it together, we all need to do backflips that day.

Other than LT I feel as if this team is in better shape on paper than it’s been in a while, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all materialize. Problem is LT is just sort of a key position. Cant hide.

Yes,

BUT we do but we also have the data to support the fact that they were able to work around it last year, so why couldn't they this year.

I believe Adams might be able to improve both of them a little bit more this year and fall back on Nate Thomas and possibly the 4th round rookie tackle,

I know it's crazy right but we remember that 4th round rookie named Dakota, how about Tony Pollard, there's at least a dozen 4th rounders that I have found that turned out to be very good players. But when you can see players like Bass and Hoffman come from nowhere and be very suitable relief starters I can see this happening during the year.

So, I'm just shifting all my concern Prescott needs to stay healthy while waiting on that defense to improve over the year and that hopefully if we have an improved defense that's the only two things I see has to happen he needs to remain healthy unlike 2024 with another bad defense waiting on things to get better up front and it didn't happen.

So yes, defense getting better while waiting on that , Prescott needs to be upright 16+ games... I'm just using data from years past recently 2024 it didn't happen and it was a terrible year Last year it was a mixed emotion it was a great offensive year but a bad record hopefully the 3 year is the charm.

 

[Robbieac]

According to the board he’s the worst QB in the NFL so if he goes down we’re going to the SB.

lol. What a complete load of lies from the biggest liar on the board.

Please, show one person who says that Prescott is the “worst QB in the NFL”.
Much less the majority of the board.

Get help. You are such a miserable person.

 

[kumizi]

Pass rush is #1 for me.

Could be mediocre or could be bottom five in the league. Eze has to take a huge leap.

 

[Redsfan_83]

lol. What a complete load of lies from the biggest liar on the board.

Please, show one person who says that Prescott is the “worst QB in the NFL”.
Much less the majority of the board.

Get help. You are such a miserable person.

Maybe he gets paid a royalty to play the damsel in here?

 

[john van brocklin]

I believe the Cowboys have upgraded their roster and coaching staff this off-season in several areas. We’ve added much needed talent on defense, and added an innovative young Defensive Coordinator along with some new blood assistants to support him.

On paper this has been a decent off-season, certainly compared to recent years. The key will be translating what’s on paper to the field and the scoreboard.

IMO, the success of the 2026 season will hinge on four player positions along with the ability of our new DC to build a consistent defensive scheme, and our second year HC to build some team chemistry and culture.

THE FOUR POSITIONS

• LEFT TACKLE - arguably the second most important position on offense is LT. And our Cowboys desperately need 2024 first round pick Tyler Guyton to show us a lot more than he has his first two seasons. His physical talent is there but the commitment to being a consistent pro hasn’t. If Guyton can become more consistent, our offense can be special. If he can’t, he’s on bust watch and we have a big hole at LT.
• LINEBACKER - we’ve added some talent but the depth is paper thin. DeMarvion Overshown is a real talent but he hasn’t been healthy long for any season yet. The addition of Dee Winters is an upgrade, but after those two there are a ton of question marks. Third round pick Jaishawn Barham is talented but raw. And they are all in a new scheme. IMO this position needs some veteran presence.
• EDGE RUSHER - we’ve added a good player in Rashon Gary. He’s a good run stopper and an above average pass rusher. We drafted a talented young pass rusher in Malachi Lawrence. And 2nd year rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku emerged late last year. None of these guys are great pass rushers. We have to hope we can get a pass rush by committee.
• CORNER - some of the biggest question marks are at this position. Veteran Deron Bland has been really good at times but has also had two foot surgeries the last two years. We added a FA good corner in Cobie Durant on a 1 yr cheap deal. And 2nd year Shavon Revel must show he can be healthy enough to play well. This position may also need a late addition veteran.

COACHING

• NEW DC CHRIS PARKER - our new DC appears to be just what the Dr ordered. He’s bringing a much better scheme and has a great rapport with the players. But he’s also 34, and has yet to call a play as a DC. He may need some time to grow and learn.
• HC BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER- his second year as HC needs to be a breakout. His first year he showed some offensive chops but he was handed a terrible defensive roster and DC. IMO he needs to lay off the cheesy “Bro Language” he throws out and prove he is a cohesive leader of men.

I’m excited to see what this team will be. The 2024 and 2025 seasons gave us a 14-19-1 record with no playoffs. This team’s talent has certainly been upgraded and hope is real. But as the saying goes, “Hope is not a strategy”.

We are just six weeks away from real football and finding out what this team really is. Can’t wait.

I am still concerned about the defense.
It’s better for sure, but has nowhere to go but up.
The talent at CB and LB still needs upgrades inho

 

[fivetwos]

Yes,

BUT we do but we also have the data to support the fact that they were able to work around it last year, so why couldn't they this year.

I believe Adams might be able to improve both of them a little bit more this year and fall back on Nate Thomas and possibly the 4th round rookie tackle,

I know it's crazy right but we remember that 4th round rookie named Dakota, how about Tony Pollard, there's at least a dozen 4th rounders that I have found that turned out to be very good players. But when you can see players like Bass and Hoffman come from nowhere and be very suitable relief starters I can see this happening during the year.

So, I'm just shifting all my concern Prescott needs to stay healthy while waiting on that defense to improve over the year and that hopefully if we have an improved defense that's the only two things I see has to happen he needs to remain healthy unlike 2024 with another bad defense waiting on things to get better up front and it didn't happen.

So yes, defense getting better while waiting on that , Prescott needs to be upright 16+ games... I'm just using data from years past recently 2024 it didn't happen and it was a terrible year Last year it was a mixed emotion it was a great offensive year but a bad record hopefully the 3 year is the charm.

Agree, just when LT is an issue you worry about the one play when your QBs head can get ripped off. I have yet to read all TP gave me above on the counterpoint, but unless the rest of the team is incredibly solid, it’s generally tough to have a winning season, let alone make a deep run.

My gut feeling tells me Guyton will get zero Pro Bowl votes but will be acceptable. I’d probably sign for that since the rest is pretty good.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I would disagree simply because overall the team has won/lost at basically the same rate each year regardless of who the QB has been since 2020. 2020 and 2024 were just bad teams in general.

• 2020 - 2-4 with Dak, 4-7 without Dak
• 2021 - 11-5 with Dak, 1-0 without Dak
• 2022 - 8-4 with Dak, 5-1 without Dak
• 2023 - No missed games by Dak
• 2024 - 3-5 with Dak, 4-5 without him
• 2025 - No missed games by Dak

Danold was a bust/backup for years, then gets a superstar WR to throw to on a great team and wins a superbowl. Joe Flacco could barely move the ball in Cleveland last year and goes to Cincinnati and averages 275 yards and 27 points per game. Personally I think we waaaay overrate the QB position in todays version of the game. If you have a good roster you really don't need elite QB play...you just have to avoid poor QB play.

Darnold benefitted from top defense in the lwague and a great running game and he was given arguably the best WR in the league.

The QB does make a difference if they are Elite. They tend to perform with less resources. Good QBs need some help, run game or better Wrs, or top notch defense. But it comes down to what they can do once given those resources. Coaching in those cases matter a lot.

 

[OGSixshooter]

-Overall, I’m a bit concerned that they may have gotten a bit complacent on offense while trying to fix such an awful defense. This offense was far from perfect and if Guyton hasn’t improved, he is capable of bringing the entire thing down.

I'm with you. I can see RB and TE being a problem.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yes,

BUT we do but we also have the data to support the fact that they were able to work around it last year, so why couldn't they this year.

I agree they can work around the tackle issues, but we also can’t just assume the 2026 results will be on par with the 2025 results. It’s a year to year league, and it’s possible

The big concern I have is that 2025 was pretty minimal in terms of missed games by key offensive players. If the tackle spots are the only issues on offense the unit can once again be very good. If we see regression at other positions or injuries start to pop up those liabilities at the tackle spots become bigger issues.

Going into camp with fewer question marks allows for more margin of error at other positions throughout the year and lowers the odds of looking back and saying “if it weren’t for those darn injuries”.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Agree, just when LT is an issue you worry about the one play when your QBs head can get ripped off. I have yet to read all TP gave me above on the counterpoint, but unless the rest of the team is incredibly solid, it’s generally tough to have a winning season, let alone make a deep run.

My gut feeling tells me Guyton will get zero Pro Bowl votes but will be acceptable. I’d probably sign for that since the rest is pretty good.

Sorry I ended up writing a small book on that one lol