Sticky: Poll: How confident are you about this team going into 2026?

[Bobhaze]

NFL training camps and pre-season games are under way. And in Oxnard, there is certainly a more positive feel than in the last two seasons.

So here’s the big question: With the excitement of a new season, new defensive coordinator, an apparently good draft (so far), and some other key player acquisitions…how confident are you in the Cowboys going into the 2026 season? And tell us why you picked that answer.

Will this team meet its positive expectations, exceed them, or be what they’ve been lately?

I picked C as my answer. Although I like a lot of what I’m seeing early, hype is always strong in TC. I will wait until the real bullets fly before determining what this team probably is.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I think they'll be in the running for a playoff spot. That's as far as I'll Go right now. If they played as well as they talked we'd be SB champions.

 

[shabazz]

Quinnen, Pickens and Downs are the reason that im cautiously optimistic.....the key word being cautiously

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

I always like to get a feel of the team as the season progresses. Nice to see some new talent, but tough schedule for sure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This is a playoff roster. Beyond making the playoffs, well, we still have #4.

 

[JBS]

This is a playoff roster. Beyond making the playoffs, well, we still have #4.

Yeah without him you wouldn’t be a playoff team

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

I think they'll be in the running for a playoff spot. That's as far as I'll Go right now. If they played as well as they talked we'd be SB champions.

Talent usually isn't our problem. Depth and Leadership are. When we get to the playoffs, nobody steps up into the role.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

This is a playoff roster. Beyond making the playoffs, well, we still have #4.

This board still has the Coog. I just felt I needed to remind you since you reminded us we still have #4.

 

[shabazz]

This is a playoff roster. Beyond making the playoffs, well, we still have #4.

Yeah without him you wouldn’t be a playoff team

 

[75boyz]

I still don't think with the current t players at offensive tackle and edge, that they can passblock protect their own QB or sack the opponent QB good enough over an entire season in order to net a playoff run.

I think they lack the horses to pass protect and sack the opponent QB.

jmo

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Given this team's ceiling is scraping into the playoffs and getting pumped in the first round, that sounds like Option D to me dawg.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

This is a playoff roster. Beyond making the playoffs, well, we still have #4.

Exactly - that's the problem.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

The problem is even if we end up with the first seed ( which we won't), I don't know how anyone has the confidence we'd win that division game.

 

[75boyz]

Exactly - that's the problem.

Yeah, this is a given. This IS the starting point no doubt.

So, any other team deficiencies you may hold is "in addition to" the most vital position of all, lol.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

The problem is even if we end up with the first seed ( which we won't), I don't know how anyone has the confidence we'd win that division game.

A lot of people think that the Playoffs are still the same game as the regular season.

 

[DallasEast]

The playoff potential of this team is obvious. Highly probable explosive offense. Upgraded interior defensive line. Very likely improved safety help. More experienced coaching.

It is easy to make a too-early proclamation, which is why I typically avoid them altogether. There is one precaution no one wants to consider in any sport, and that is always insurmountable injury or injuries. That is one reason why I wait for a few regular season games in addition to evaluating how well the team is executing in all four phases.

No one likes talking about it, but even sure playoff contenders can be derailed before their season gets rolling. The Patriots knew they were returning to the Super Bowl in 2008. Literally a couple of plays in week one and an MCL later, they were done. Neither Joe Milton III (6th round) nor Sam Howell (5th round) has a mystical 4th-round Team Chemistry Euphoria aura surrounding them. The same was true of Matt Cassell.

 

[Coogiguy03]

NFL training camps and pre-season games are under way. And in Oxnard, there is certainly a more positive feel than in the last two seasons.

So here’s the big question: With the excitement of a new season, new defensive coordinator, an apparently good draft (so far), and some other key player acquisitions…how confident are you in the Cowboys going into the 2026 season? And tell us why you picked that answer.

Will this team meet its positive expectations, exceed them, or be what they’ve been lately?

I picked C as my answer. Although I like a lot of what I’m seeing early, hype is always strong in TC. I will wait until the real bullets fly before determining what this team probably is.

After all this team has been through over the last 30 years, I think we're all airing on the side of caution! We want this so bad Haze, but do they!!??

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

Towards the end of the season, the teams that do well in the playoffs, kick it into another gear. I watched the Cowboys enough in this 30 year drought to not get overconfident unless you see that happening.

 

[Bullflop]

This team has too many changes happening to be confident in big-time results this year. I'll wait for this team's results at mid-season before jumping to unfounded conclusions. Nobody knows anything yet.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

After all this team has been through over the last 30 years, I think we're all airing on the side of caution! We want this so bad Haze, but do they!!??

Who would get this team focused, all on the same page, and provide the leadership to make it count in the playoffs?