Key Off-season questions will determine if we make the playoffs in 26

[Bobhaze]

Every NFL off-season is important. Especially for the 18 teams that did not make the playoffs the prior season. In the case of the Cowboys, we haven’t made the playoffs two seasons in a row and the last playoff game we played was the 48-32 shellacking put on us by the packers.

In the current decade on the 2020’s, we’ve made the playoffs 3 seasons (2021-23) and missed the playoffs 3 seasons (2020, 2024 and 2025) This off-season could not be more important in getting this team back in contention.

IMO, here are the key off-season questions that will determine if this team is able to turn it around and get back to the playoffs in 2026:

• Are Jerry and Stephen truly changing the way they conduct an off-season (as they “tell us” they are) or not?
• Will the Cowboys join the teams that are serious about spending some cap space in free agency or will they continue their long practice of dumpster dives and minor cheap moves?
• Will the strategy of placing George Pickens on the non-exclusive franchise tag pay off in the long run or not? (Will they be able to sign him long term?)
• Will the Cowboys draft defensive help that will have immediate impact? (And will they avoid drafting injured players?)
• Will Christian Parker be able to turn this awful defense around into a playoff defense in one off-season?
• Will young players already on the team - like Shavon Revell, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Tyler Guyton make a big step forward this year?
• Will the Cowboys and Brandon Aubrey get a new deal done?
• Will Brian Schottenheimer be a more effective HC with more attention to details?

This question list is certainly incomplete. Feel free to add some more and/or answer the ones here.

NFL seasons can be won or lost in the off-season. This off-season is one of the most important in a long time for the Cowboys if we are to avoid missing the playoffs 3 years in a row.

 

[Captain-Crash]

lmao, Jerry has changed, and we're winning the Super Bowl next year. Roflmao....I miss the "I hate Jerry threads."

 

[acr731]

• Are Jerry and Stephen truly changing the way they conduct an off-season (as they “tell us” they are) or not?

 

[big dog cowboy]

the last playoff game we played was the 48-32 shellacking put on us by the packers.

Thanks bob!

I'm going to go throw up now...........

 

[ShortRound]

Our success depends on our owner/gm changing his ways lol how sad is that situation.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

I don't think there's any question we make the playoffs if healthy. The focus is on repairing the defense while trying to keep the offense intact. My only early question ( Without any free agent or draft domino's falling) is how deep will we go in them.

 

[jazzcat22]

A lot of good questions. The main one that will drive this, and is the answer to many of the other questions and actions.

Have Jerry & Son really changed. And do what they say they are going to do.
Or is it more lip service.

What if they do not sign FA’s as they say. Will the same excuse come up. Well we tried to get this player and that player. But it just did not fall our way.

All we can really do is sit back and wait and see. And yes, hope for the best.

 

[KingCorcoran]

I don't think there's any question we make the playoffs if healthy. The focus is on repairing the defense while trying to keep the offense intact. My only early question ( Without any free agent or draft domino's falling) is how deep will we go in them.

No question? What if there are other teams in the NFC that use this off season to improve their rosters? Could happen. Many are already well ahead of the Cowboys before any improvement.

The Cowboys qualifying for the playoffs next season is very questionable.

 

[Bobhaze]

Our success depends on our owner/gm changing his ways lol how sad is that situation.

Especially after telling us he’s “changed” so many times in the last upteen years. It’s like a drunk telling you for the 100th time, “Tonight is my last drink.”

 

[morasp]

One Question. Can they repeat last year's offense makeover on defense. If so I think they could make the playoffs and maybe win a game.

Coaches: So far the defensive coaching changes have been very similar to last years offensive changes.

Players: Can they add 4 average to above average starters like they did on the offense. No reason to think they can't,
- FA signing similar to Javonte Williams
- A trade similar to the Pickens trade
- Hit on the two first round draft picks.

 

[Bobhaze]

No question? What if there are other teams in the NFC that use this off season to improve their rosters? Could happen. Many are already well ahead of the Cowboys before any improvement.

The Cowboys qualifying for the playoffs next season is very questionable.

I would bet most Cowboys fans are unaware that since 2000, we have only made the playoffs 38.4% of the time.

Playoff seasons since 2000: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023. That’s 10 seasons we’ve made the playoffs.

Non-playoff seasons this century: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025. That’s 16 seasons we did not make the playoffs.

So…again….we’ve made the playoffs 38.4% of the time since 2000. How high is your confidence our leaders have finally “learned”?

 

[KingCorcoran]

I would bet most Cowboys fans are unaware that since 2000, we have only made the playoffs 38.4% of the time.

Playoff seasons since 2000: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023. That’s 10 seasons we’ve made the playoffs.

Non-playoff seasons this century: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025. That’s 16 seasons we did not make the playoffs.

So…again….we’ve made the playoffs 38.4% of the time since 2000. How high is your confidence our leaders have finally “learned”?

Zero. All this talk about dong things differently is like the “all in” comment. No truth to it.

 

[CTcowboy203]

The definition of “fixing the defense” to me is basically can he make them a top 15 unit. If we have a top 15 defense and an offense close to what we had last year it changes things immensely for us

 

[Bobhaze]

The definition of “fixing the defense” to me is basically can he make them a top 15 unit. If we have a top 15 defense and an offense close to what we had last year it changes things immensely for us

It certainly would be a change. In your opinion, what would that translate to?

• Making the playoffs but not winning a game
• Making the playoffs and winning a game.
• Making the playoffs and winning at least two games (for the first time in 30 seasons)
• Improving but not making the playoffs.

Which do you think? I honestly don’t know what next year looks like.

 

[kskboys]

When we take a TE, injured LB, or a stiff CB w/ one of our 1sts, then it's time to break out the whiskey, while Rocky and Rambo explain how good of a pick it was.

 

[kskboys]

The definition of “fixing the defense” to me is basically can he make them a top 15 unit. If we have a top 15 defense and an offense close to what we had last year it changes things immensely for us

Can't really agree. Because my goal is the super bowl. Need more a top 10 type D.

 

[kskboys]

I don't think there's any question we make the playoffs if healthy. The focus is on repairing the defense while trying to keep the offense intact. My only early question ( Without any free agent or draft domino's falling) is how deep will we go in them.

Ooooh, there's questions. We were a 7-9-1 team.

 

[CTcowboy203]

Can't really agree. Because my goal is the super bowl. Need more a top 10 type D.

If we have a top 15 offense and a top 7 offense everything is on the table - also to think you are going to go from historically bad to top 10 is a bit unrealistic imo

 

[CTcowboy203]

It certainly would be a change. In your opinion, what would that translate to?

• Making the playoffs but not winning a game
• Making the playoffs and winning a game.
• Making the playoffs and winning at least two games (for the first time in 30 seasons)
• Improving but not making the playoffs.

Which do you think? I honestly don’t know what next year looks like.

I think IF the offense was as good as last year AND we have a top 15 defense then division round is likely/floor

 

[shabazz]

Every NFL off-season is important. Especially for the 18 teams that did not make the playoffs the prior season. In the case of the Cowboys, we haven’t made the playoffs two seasons in a row and the last playoff game we played was the 48-32 shellacking put on us by the packers.

In the current decade on the 2020’s, we’ve made the playoffs 3 seasons (2021-23) and missed the playoffs 3 seasons (2020, 2024 and 2025) This off-season could not be more important in getting this team back in contention.

IMO, here are the key off-season questions that will determine if this team is able to turn it around and get back to the playoffs in 2026:

• Are Jerry and Stephen truly changing the way they conduct an off-season (as they “tell us” they are) or not?
• Will the Cowboys join the teams that are serious about spending some cap space in free agency or will they continue their long practice of dumpster dives and minor cheap moves?
• Will the strategy of placing George Pickens on the non-exclusive franchise tag pay off in the long run or not? (Will they be able to sign him long term?)
• Will the Cowboys draft defensive help that will have immediate impact? (And will they avoid drafting injured players?)
• Will Christian Parker be able to turn this awful defense around into a playoff defense in one off-season?
• Will young players already on the team - like Shavon Revell, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Tyler Guyton make a big step forward this year?
• Will the Cowboys and Brandon Aubrey get a new deal done?
• Will Brian Schottenheimer be a more effective HC with more attention to details?

This question list is certainly incomplete. Feel free to add some more and/or answer the ones here.

NFL seasons can be won or lost in the off-season. This off-season is one of the most important in a long time for the Cowboys if we are to avoid missing the playoffs 3 years in a row.

The biggest concern of all those are will they buy free agents in their prime that are truly above average at their positions?

If they don't; all the other factore are moot.....or mute as they say in Rio Linda.