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

[Diehardblues]

We can't make the playoffs without Dak but I'm not sure we can win a SB with him. If this team is as good as some think it is there are no more excuses. He needs to step up.

If we need an Elite defense to carry him then we don’t need to have the highest paid QB in the league . Something has to give .

 

[Stash]

No , but the Egirls still have a strong starting WR left and replacing the other with a 1st round pick. That’s about a sound a strategy as you can take managing Cap and retooling.

I don’t question the strategy, but a sound strategy doesn’t guarantee success. Especially not immediately.

I wouldn’t consider that a difference maker in lessening talent on roster. Could it. Of course . Enough to downgrade them from being favorites to win division . I’d say no.

It’s far more than one player. It multiple players and coaches as well.

And a team that limped into the playoffs and was immediately shown the door.

 

[Diehardblues]

People are quick to hate on Dak, but who exactly would we replace him with? Do we have Josh Allen or Mahomes waiting on the bench?

No, you acquire one in FA or draft one .

Dak has shown he’s enough with a strong supporting cast on offense and a good enough defense .

He hasnt shown he’s enough on the bigger stages or enough to carry some of the better teams he’s had further or deeper.

Until he does there are going to be doubts .

 

[Diehardblues]

I don’t question the strategy, but a sound strategy doesn’t guarantee success. Especially not immediately.


It’s far more than one player. It multiple players and coaches as well.

And a team that limped into the playoffs and was immediately shown the door.

Yes, and we could say the same about the Cowboys. That’s my point.

 

[Stash]

Yes, and we could say the same about the Cowboys. That’s my point.

The point is that they’re not equal.

You yourself conceded that unlike Lemon, the Cowboys aren’t asking Downs to replace a Pro Bowler.

Not equal.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

People are quick to hate on Dak, but who exactly would we replace him with? Do we have Josh Allen or Mahomes waiting on the bench?

You actually have to make an effort to have someone around. 'Hommes wasn;t a starting QB rookie year. Rodgers wasn't. Romo wasn't, Dak's rookie start was pure conincidence (and started on a pretty good team BTW).

Most starting rookie QBs lately have gone to pretty bad teams (i.e. Burrow), who need the instant return of capitol...and often struggle. Ideally you go ahead and pull the trigger a little bit before you're forced to.

Dallas has (had?) the problem of huge investments and confidence (warranted or not) in Dak and huge needs elsewhere. It will soon be 12 years by the next draft...not sure how many teams go THAT long with making any effort in the next QB.

 

[TexasBacon]

Everything points to Christian Parker coming in and having the type of impact DQ had, if not better, when he took over for Mike Nolan. The offense is better now than they were back then, and I think Schotty having a year under his belt will help alot. Couple that with a relatively weaker NFC and I do expect a playoff birth if they are healthy.

The big concerns for me are pass rush, CB play, and the players overall adapting to the new Christian Parker defense. And OT play. Hopefully everything falls right for us this year and we have a strong team and a fun season to watch. Really, really hope we can fade the injury bug.

 

[Diehardblues]

The point is that they’re not equal.

You yourself conceded that unlike Lemon, the Cowboys aren’t asking Downs to replace a Pro Bowler.

Not equal.

But counting on a 1st round pick to impact is. And the fact we think our addition could make bigger impact .

Bigger point is we have more ground to make up to catch Egirls. One position downgraded isnt enough IMO. And that’s assuming it is all that.

 

[Stash]

But counting on a 1st round pick to impact is. And the fact we think our addition could make bigger impact .

No. Not just an impact in Philadelphia. Replacing a Top 10 Pro Bowl player. You can try to ignore that but it doesn’t make it go away.

Bigger point is we have more ground to make up to catch Egirls.

Why? We should have swept them last year, with no defense whatsoever.

One position downgraded isnt enough IMO. And that’s assuming it is all that.

Good thing it’s absolutely not just one position.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I feel that voting anything but D is naive. “Anything of importance” means getting to the NFC Championship at minimum. Who cares if we make the playoffs and flame out again? I’d say there are at least 6-7 NFC teams more likely to make the Championship game.

 

[DoctorChicken]

B. I think they can make the playoffs. They would have last year if they had like, a middle of the pack defense.

If the offense is just as good and the defense is better, they’ll make the postseason, probably to lose to LA or Seattle in the divisional round.

 

[Stash]

I feel that voting anything but D is naive. “Anything of importance” means getting to the NFC Championship at minimum. Who cares if we make the playoffs and flame out again? I’d say there are at least 6-7 NFC teams more likely to make the Championship game.

That sounds overly cynical to me.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

That sounds overly cynical to me.

In what way? That anything but a NFC Championship game appearance should be viewed as failure? Or that 6-7 teams have a better chance than the Cowboys?

 

[Stash]

In what way? That anything but a NFC Championship game appearance should be viewed as failure?

I’d say this, yes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping for the same but I can’t already say that the season will be a failure without it.

Or that 6-7 teams have a better chance than the Cowboys?

But I’d also disagree with this.

As of today, I see two - the Seahawks and the Rams.

 

[Diehardblues]

No. Not just an impact in Philadelphia. Replacing a Top 10 Pro Bowl player. You can try to ignore that but it doesn’t make it go away.


Why? We should have swept them last year, with no defense whatsoever.


Good thing it’s absolutely not just one position.

I’d still argue Egirls will be favorites to win division.

 

[Cowboys5217]

I feel that voting anything but D is naive. “Anything of importance” means getting to the NFC Championship at minimum. Who cares if we make the playoffs and flame out again? I’d say there are at least 6-7 NFC teams more likely to make the Championship game.

I agree, plus, how the heck are the Cowboys going to sack opposing QBs in any meaningful quantity? I think this team is going to finish under .500.

 

[Cowboys5217]

That sounds overly cynical to me.

30 years isn't enough proof for you? Do you need another 30 years?

 

[Stash]

I’d still argue Egirls will be favorites to win division.

You’ve got plenty of company. A lot of people do.

 

[Stash]

30 years isn't enough proof for you? Do you need another 30 years?

Nothing lasts forever. Not the good of the 90’s, and not the bad.

I can understand some frustration, I’ve had plenty myself, but what happened before does not indicate what will happen.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Nothing lasts forever. Not the good of the 90’s, and not the bad.

I can understand some frustration, I’ve had plenty myself, but what happened before does not indicate what will happen.

Jerry is still GM and nothing has changed about how he does things.

And yes, absolutely what happened before does indicate what will happen again. This is called "pattern recognition", and once again 30 years of the same pattern playing out should be enough for anyone, but I guess not in some cases.

You are choosing "cognitive dissonance" rather than "pattern recognition".