2027 Will Be the Year

[ratkinson]

If 2027 is a banner year, the Quarterback is most certainly gonna be extended. Only way he's not is if both 2026 and 2027 resemble the last 2 years.

That's a valid point... unfortunately.

 

[acr731]

Dak will be extended.

If his playoff record is still 2-5 when that time comes he needs to take a greatly reduced rate. Or let him go screw over some other franchise to be highest paid ever.

 

[The Natural]

The defense will not ‘struggle’

 

[Whirlwin]

It will be the year, when we finally chose the right people in the draft
A couple of seasons, like that, who knows the potential
I know it’s gonna take at least seven or eight games to realize, the quality of the draft but I’m proactive lol

 

[BoyzBlaster]

While the defense could absolutely emerge there is always the elephant in the room waiting to pounce and it hasn’t missed yet.

We have a QB who will be a year older, who will have to avoid injuries and who as of yet failed to meet the moment when he was needed most.

If we’re waiting until 2027 just take my comment and times it by two.

I just cannot make that bet.

Bingo. This defense has been straight up putrid for 2 years running and it's not going to magically transform over night (if ever). But even if it does show significant improvement we still have the elephant in the room as you rightly put it which is an aging QB who can't handle the big moments.

 

[Coogiguy03]

coog, different times you hint at possible injuries. I guess you're not one to think you may jinx the team?
I'm scared of that stuff.

You act like it doesn't happen

 

[Coogiguy03]

It would not surprise me.

Exactly!! Please tell fans on here this!! YES INJURIES occur and other teams players get injured (there I said it), but damn they get the new deal and can't stay healthy

 

[dupree89]

You act like it doesn't happen

No, I know it happens. But I try not to tempt fate.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Do agree that people are expecting way too much from the defense this year. The talent isn't great and Parker isn't HOF ready yet. Maybe next year after everyone has a year in the system and Parker gets through some inevitable growing pains they can play some decent defense... Maybe.

 

[shabazz]

2027......the year we finally make it past the divisional round.

Never in this century has the bar been this high.

 

[tomokawan]

I am not happy about playing the Giants again on Sunday night to start the season on the road. Why cant we ever get a 1pm home game to start the season. Just lazy scheduling.

 

[SlammedZero]

I'm willing to just see what happens.

I've been a fan of this team long enough not to expect anything. Everything after that is a bonus.

 

[plasticman]

I see what you're saying, I really do.

But goodness I have also seen a team gel and come together and feed off one another and become formidable in one season. It absolutely can happen.

I am pumped about the additions, pumped about CP, pumped about the brilliance of Caleb Downs to be the leader, pumped about the pass rush possibilities.

I am here for the record to say it will come together quickly. This ain't the 70-80-90s, these kids are primes in pro-style coaching and the leap is not THAT big as in years past.

LFGo Cowboys!!!

I would say that "coming together" in 2027 is a pretty quick turnaround from being ranked #32 in 2025.

However, I don't want to negate your optimism. It would be great if you were right and they made a positive impact on the 2026 season.

I think that this class of defensive rookies would have to match the 2005 draft with Ware, Spears, Ratliff, etc.

That 2005 rookie class improved the defense from 27th in 2004 to 12th. It is possible for the present defensive rookie class to match that.

Keep in mind, 2005 was both Parcells and Zimmer's 3rd season as the Cowboys HC and DC respectively.

 

[nalam]

Dak will be extended.

That will be a mistake unless we reach a championship game because of his tenacity & performance in the playoffs.

 

[JayFord]

All we need is an average defense

Heck with an average defense we’d be complaining about losing the first round playoff game 42-24

 

[Fmart322]

I expect the defense to rank near the bottom for half the year then rank near the top the 2nd half of the year.
For the year we could have the 15th -18th best but we could really be holding it down at the end of the season.

 

[MajesticRey]

Agreed. I think this all comes together after another high draft pick in 2027 and Dak's last season.

The only way this happens is if both Green Bay and Dallas suck in 2026. We gave our “better” 1st rounder away to the Jets for QW, so if we suck and Green Bay wins the SB (hypothetically), we get stuck with a “horrible” 1st round pick.

 

[rambo2]

Is it realistic to expect that a defense composed of 70% rookies and free agents is capable of coming together under a rookie DC?

Even many of the team's previous starters will have to learn a new position in a new defense.

This defense will struggle in 2026. There will be some great plays by these young talented defenders. However, there will be many mistakes whether it is lack of experience or unfamiliarity with the new defense.

Parker, himself, will have to experiment in order to find out what the players can do and whether they fit into the position assigned.

The road for this young defense will not be smooth at first. They will look awkward. They will struggle.

However, they will learn and they will gain invaluable experience with both playing in the NFL and playing with each other.

They will begin to show some improvement in the 2nd half of the 2026 season. The true excitement for this defense will come in 2027, possibly Dak's last season as a Cowboy.

With a 2nd training camp and offseason these rookies, particularly Downs and Lawrence, will break out. Depending on the growth of other defenders like Barham, Overton and Moore, this entire defense could break out.

Of course, the main ingredient will be a year of familiarity with Parker's defense as well as his own coaching talent.

So, let's not be too harsh of a critic this 2026 season if this all comes to pass. This season could be the building block for a decade of defensive dominance. However, part of the building process involves taking their lumps until they learn how to fight as a team.

In 2027 the Cowboys will have an imposing, yet underrated, defense to go along with a lethal offense with an offensive line core that operates like a machine. They will have a dynamic passing attack with two of the best receivers in the league.

Who knows, perhaps they will have three of them.

2027 seems like the target season, not to say that they won't try to prove me wrong in 2026. I encourage it.

I knew Miss Cleo was still alive.

 

[GMO415]

The only way this happens is if both Green Bay and Dallas suck in 2026. We gave our “better” 1st rounder away to the Jets for QW, so if we suck and Green Bay wins the SB (hypothetically), we get stuck with a “horrible” 1st round pick.

I'd say 5-7 wins constitutes "horrible."

 

[BHendri5]

2026 is the year