I have both hope and doubts. It's ok to have both

[Reid1boys]

doubts? who has doubts? We are winning the SB this year. 15=--2 regular season. Dak wins MVP, Micah defensive player pf the year. CeeDEe 1800 yards and 32 tds .

Who has doubts?

 

[rambo2]

Shocked then happy.

How would you feel if they went 10 and 7 and were a wild card?

 

[rambo2]

I don’t blame you John. I am skeptical about this defense for sure. Until they prove otherwise, this team and its coaches are unproven. A good off-season isn’t the same as proving it during the real games that matter.

As I said I’m hopeful but with realistic doubts.

Poor John, it must be awful to feel that way. There are so many good things going on with the team right now.

 

[JoeKing]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

I've witnessed this offseason too. It's been good, but I'm not sold on BS as HC. I'm not looking forward to trying the RB by committee, again. I don't think our D is fixed either.

So, with all that in mind, the doubts outweigh the hope by a lot.

 

[Blackrain]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

Excellent post bullet and I totally agree.
The endless speculation negativity and arguments at this stage of the season has really grown very tiresome.

I have lowered my expectations to the point of just having some good football to watch from my team.
Their commitment to the offensive line and running the ball at least gives me hope that that can happen.
There are so many question marks at this point with players coming back for injury a brand new coaching staff we really just don't know what we have yet.

That said unlike last year effort has been made to go in a positive direction. But if it will be enough to overcome having a very rough schedule and two teams in your division that played for the NFC championship remains to be seen.
We could easily win 10 games and miss the playoffs.

I'm hoping before the rubber hits the road we can pick up a run stopper like DJ reader and that would give us a puncher's chance to compete.
What I do know for sure is it's going to be a long 3 month wait till we get to see the fruits of this off season

 

[Bobhaze]

How would you feel if they went 10 and 7 and were a wild card?

Like I have most years lately….Meh. Another “hanging around the rim” year without accomplishing much.

 

[Chasing6]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

Neither one of them are very positive.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

Good post. I have a mix of doubt and hope too— 75% doubt to 25% hope.

What are realistic expectations for success for this team considering the year they had in 24 and all the changes they have implemented and the improvements other teams in the NFC have made?

IMO— making the playoffs would be a realistic goal and would mean a successful season all things considered . Winning a playoff game would be punching above their weight— and getting to a championship game would be an incredible accomplishment and while certainly not impossible— it would be highly unlikely.

So my expectations are reasonably low. I want to see signs of positive development from the players and an overall improvement in team identity: toughness, speed, competitiveness, aggression, power running game, and an efficient passing offense complemented by a disciplined, scrappy, and opportunistic D.

Give me a top 10 offense and a top 10 D, a playoff W, and a puncher’s chance to upset some clearly better teams in the NFC with a slim chance to go on a deep playoff run, and I would say the season would be a positive bounce back year from the turd fest of last season.

Expecting a SB this year is simply not realistic for where this roster and franchise are in their current state.

 

[Runwildboys]

BULLETT!!!

I retired after more than 25 years as a crisis response subject matter expert for the largest city in California. In that time, I learned one fundamental truth: past behavior is one of the best predictors of future behavior.

That’s exactly why I remain skeptical of Jerry Jones and the direction of the Dallas Cowboys.

Ever since he fired Jimmy Johnson, Jerry has been on a relentless mission to prove that his football IQ is equal to—or greater than—Jimmy’s. And for decades, we’ve watched him try to validate that theory. Just look at the track record: the hiring of Dave Campo, then a decade of Jason Garrett. These weren’t just coaching decisions—they were ego decisions.

When I look at Jerry’s behavior, I see the textbook signs of narcissism. And if you’ve ever had to navigate life around a narcissist, you know that their happiness and validation always come first. The needs and desires of others—including millions of loyal fans—are simply not a priority.

This isn’t about the Cowboys being unlucky or "cursed." This is about a man who refuses self-reflection. A man who cannot—and will not—relinquish control long enough to hire a strong, competent head coach who might actually lead the team to another Super Bowl. Because if someone else wins it, that victory wouldn’t belong to Jerry.

So yes, I’m skeptical. Not because I enjoy being critical—but because I’ve seen this pattern before, and I know exactly how it ends.

This season though, he does seem to be giving Shotty more freedom than he he's given others in the past. I find that to be a positive.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Three months into a pretty good 2025 Cowboys off-season, I have realized I have a combination of both hope and doubts. Like the beginning of every Cowboys season I sincerely hope they have a great year. There are some reasons for hope.

And like most Cowboys fans who have watched the last three decades in mind numbing frustration, it’s also hard to not also have some doubts too. Especially when realizing the architect and centerpiece of this organization remains fully in charge. And fully unaccountable along with his DNA fortunate offspring.

So I have BOTH - hope and doubts.

Now I believe like most fans here on this forum that the Cowboys have had a pretty good off-season so far. Last off-season ended up being a kamikaze mission by Jerry, so anything would be better than that. But there are several good things about this off-season so far.

So until the real bullets fly in real games that matter beginning in September, I will remain both hopeful and skeptical.

For those fellow fans here who have nothing but good feelings about the coming year, as well as those who also have serious doubts about the coming season because of the past, I understand how you both feel. We should all allow each other some latitude around here to believe either.

This is my least favorite time of the football calendar. Honestly, I’m tired of the off-season and the endless speculation about what it all means and the silly arguments that take place . Only the regular season and (hopefully) playoffs will determine how good this off-season really was.

I’m so ready to see this regular season begin! Go Cowboys!

Indeed, this is a decent opportunity. However, I think we need to temper expectation for 2025 (as my DOUBT, would be results). The HOPE is it's a springboard year to 2026.
The crux is whether the Offense can compete (and justify the need and worth to re-sign a player of Pickens quality). The Defense MAYBE the question, but let's give Schotty/Eberflus a year to work on in (remembering we've just drafted two interesting prospects and have Overshown coming back).
There's a lot to be hopeful about/////Go Cowboys.

 

[Bobhaze]

Exciting to watch and see who will be successful. The bottom line is getting younger and showing improvement.

Disagree. The bottom line is winning playoff games. Getting younger and showing improvement sounds like a sales pitch not accomplishments.

 

[Creeper]

I completely understand what you are saying but I describe my feelings as more wishful than hopeful. I do think the Cowboys did some good things this offseason but in no way am I fooled that this is the solution. There are still a lot of question marks with this team. But I said months ago this team needs a 2 or 3 year retooling program. This is year 1 and the draft is a good start.

I do not see 2025 as a season for success. The Cowboys added 13 players through free agency and trades for a total CAP impact of $37 million. Mingo is a 14th addition for a total of $1.55 million more.

Of the 13 added in the off-season, 12 have 1 year left on their contracts. Solomon Thomas has 2 years. Realistically, most of these guys are camp bodies or depth. Pickens of course is a significant add. Murray and Fowlers will get a lot of playing time. Some others will get a lot of playing time other than Pickens, I don't see any stars and we have to hope Pickens doesn't self-destruct.

I think the Cowboys will be a better team in 2025 if they get healthy and stay healthy. But I do not think they can compete with the best teams in the NFL for a championship. I think we are still a few players away for that.

 

[Mark]

No expectations... we start off with a doozy of a game though.

The Boys may have a better shot at shocking the Eagles in Week 1 than, say, several weeks later...by which time everyone will have their sea-legs under them.

 

[MarcusRock]

Fence-straddlers, unite!

 

[Whyjerry]

Life is terrible without hope. You need to be hopeful. So have hope but doubt the Cowboys to get it done. I mean it’s only been 30 years.

 

[rambo2]

Disagree. The bottom line is winning playoff games. Getting younger and showing improvement sounds like a sales pitch not accomplishments.

You just said that you would be shocked and thrilled if they won the division.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Life is terrible without hope. You need to be hopeful. So have hope but doubt the Cowboys to get it done. I mean it’s only been 30 years.

My life doesn't revolve around the Cowboys. Hope might be important in the day to day life, but in regard to the Cowboys, hope really doesn't matter. They will win or lose regardless of whether I hope for it.

And yes, I am tired of the team being good enough to avoid getting a really great draft pick but not being good enough to win when the other team has a little more talent. I am tired of losing to teams that don't have as many talented players because our team isn't put in the best position to win.

I am tired of the GM that throws around accomplishments from 30 years ago as being meaningful today. They aren't. The glow has worn off and they are nothing but a distant memory. I am tired of the GM that says he would write the biggest check to win a Super Bowl but refuses to put pen to paper and do it. I am tired of the GM that is more impressed with glitz than about results.

I am tired of having great players that give their heart and soul and health for the team and leave the game never having had the chance to play for all the marbles. How many years did the Cowboys ignore the OL because Romo could run around and make plays while avoiding crazy pressure? How many years have the Cowboys refused to invest in the run defense, which in many ways is the single most effective way to stop teams? If you can shut down the run with your base defense, offenses will struggle against you. Philly feasts on offenses because their front four gets it done over and over.

Dallas won in the past because they weren't afraid to take chances. Jimmy Johnson came in and shook everything up with bold moves...and it worked. Since then we have just been pretenders, doing enough window dressing to not tank, but never doing enough to be a true threat. The Cowboys of the 90's went out and got the best CB in the game. They traded for the best pass rusher in the game. They built a team and system that emphasized precision rather than the spectacular. Everyone knew Michael Irvin was going to run the skinny post, but no one could stop it consistently. Everyone knew that Emmitt was gonna get the ball, yet he still got yard after yard, especially the most important ones.

My interest in football has decreased significantly over the past 5-10 years. Not sure if just aging or if it is because of the complacency of the owner. From Hot Boyz to team slogans it jsut falls on deaf ears. I am not ready to give up on the Cowboys but I definitely don't live and die with them anymore. Sadly, if they should ever win again, I don't think there will be nearly as much joy that comes with it.

Wow...that was long winded.

 

[rambo2]

Like I have most years lately….Meh. Another “hanging around the rim” year without accomplishing much.

I'm looking forward to this year. It’s exciting to see them building something.

 

[75boyz]

Good post. I have a mix of doubt and hope too— 75% doubt to 25% hope.

What are realistic expectations for success for this team considering the year they had in 24 and all the changes they have implemented and the improvements other teams in the NFC have made?

IMO— making the playoffs would be a realistic goal and would mean a successful season all things considered . Winning a playoff game would be punching above their weight— and getting to a championship game would be an incredible accomplishment and while certainly not impossible— it would be highly unlikely.

So my expectations are reasonably low. I want to see signs of positive development from the players and an overall improvement in team identity: toughness, speed, competitiveness, aggression, power running game, and an efficient passing offense complemented by a disciplined, scrappy, and opportunistic D.

Give me a top 10 offense and a top 10 D, a playoff W, and a puncher’s chance to upset some clearly better teams in the NFC with a slim chance to go on a deep playoff run, and I would say the season would be a positive bounce back year from the turd fest of last season.

Expecting a SB this year is simply not realistic for where this roster and franchise are in their current state.

You always nail it in such a truthfully balanced way.
Another great post.

 

[blueblood70]

doubts? who has doubts? We are winning the SB this year. 15=--2 regular season. Dak wins MVP, Micah defensive player pf the year. CeeDEe 1800 yards and 32 tds .

Who has doubts?

I don't know all that but it's OK to be Positive when everybody else is telling you you should be negative.. When everybody is 00 there is no guarantees for any team right now this is when fans should be the most hopeful and that is why post ed a little more realistic hope is that we finally breakthrough and at least get to an NFC championship game if healthy if this team finds a way to have a little luck with health and the new coaching staff the new players all come together I believe we can finally win a 2nd round game...

Anybody who wants to just be flat out negative is not being cautious when they're predicting doom and gloom when everything is even right now going into game one that's pretty sad actually but hey people allowed to feel what they want to feel sure everyone's going to have doubts I think all 32 teams have doubts even the Philadelphia Eagles the Super Bowl champions are going to have doubts why I don't know they have six or seven key players that are no longer on the team they've lost coaches they lost Kellen Moore this not going to be the same team are they going to be as hungry are they going to be a bigger target??

I'd say all those things can be true it could put doubt in the minds of teams that are allegedly better than the Cowboys there's always going to be some doubt there's some doubt right now and I'm getting ready to leave the house that I can come back home alive today an accident will I get shot will I get stabbed I mean life is about doubts but you can't just live thinking about them top of mind all the time...

So it's OK to be positive there's nothing wrong with that there's not an absolutely thing that makes me think we're going to have a bad season this year unless we have a run of bad luck and bad health...