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By Jon Machota
Sept. 3, 2026 5:00 am CDT
There’s a misconception out there that every year the Dallas Cowboys are overhyped and that every year is “their year.”
So when there are times like the last seven months and positive vibes surround the team, many suggest they hear these things every year.
That’s simply not true. No realistic observer was saying that about the Cowboys two years ago, fresh off that disastrous playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. And it certainly wasn’t being said during all of the Micah Parsons contract drama heading into last season.
But the hype is there with this current team, and deservedly so. Now, that’s not to say they are Super Bowl favorites. Recent oddsmakers have them just outside the top 10. They are, however, a team that has everything needed to make the playoffs and potentially get hot at the most important time. That hasn’t happened in the last 30 years, so many won’t believe it until they see it. Completely understandable. Most likely felt the same way about the New York Knicks entering last season.
This story is not designed to explain why this is finally the Cowboys’ year. This is just to break down why things have felt different coming out of training camp.
1. Less drama
Jerry Jones is very open about saying when things get slow, he’ll stir it up. The Cowboys owner and general manager talked with reporters several times while the team held its annual training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Jones did not stir anything up.
George Pickens’ contract situation had the potential to be something that turned into a distraction. But not only did Pickens sign the franchise tag and show up to camp, he participated in every practice and was the team’s top performer. It was a much different situation than with Parsons a year ago, when it was unclear when Parsons would practice and play Week 1. He was eventually traded a week before the start of the season, which unquestionably put Dallas’ defense in a position to struggle.
With Jones, there’s always the chance he could say or do something to make headlines and possibly cause a distraction. But lately, he seems on board with riding some calmer waves.
2. Health
Superstition and sports go hand in hand. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer wanted to change the subject when this topic was brought up late in camp. The Cowboys have been fortunate in the health department. They are entering the regular season about as healthy as can be. Backup defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard has been working off to the side on resistance cords, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season. Reserve outside linebacker Marist Liufau fractured his left forearm in Dallas’ final preseason game, but he is expected to return at some point this season. Other than that, it’s a healthy roster.
There are many reasons for that, ranging from their work on two very well-maintained grass practice fields in Oxnard to an emphasis on not tackling to the ground in any part of camp practices. It was rare to see a bunch of bodies on the ground near the line of scrimmage during the 15 camp practices. Since returning to The Star, they’ve practiced earlier in the morning to avoid the Texas heat and work on their outdoor grass practice field.
There’s only so much that can be done to prevent injuries in such a violent sport, but the Cowboys have done as good a job as possible to make it to Week 1 in outstanding health.
3. Full buy-in
This isn’t to say players were visibly out on the coaching staffs in previous training camps, but this year’s group seems even more locked in on what the coaches are preaching. The offense is entering Year 2 with Schottenheimer calling plays and Klayton Adams as coordinator. They appear to be building on what was already one of the NFL’s best offenses. Defensively is where the bigger jump is expected. Christian Parker appears to have that side of the ball bought in on his new scheme and approach. It also helps that there is quality leadership from veterans like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark down to rookies like Caleb Downs. This isn’t to say the expectations should be a top-10 defense, but this does look like a group that will be significantly improved from last season.
4. Not many concerning roster questions
Entering camp, there were concerns about starting left tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker and cornerback. Entering Week 1, the two biggest questions are starting right tackle and the depth on the offensive line. Terence Steele is expected to remain the starter, but competition was added with the trade for Broderick Jones. Defensively, the play of Shavon Revel, DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn Barham and Rashan Gary, coupled with the signing of Von Miller, has helped alleviate some of those other concerns. Cornerback and inside linebacker depth could be better, but the overall defensive roster looks like it could be pretty good.
For too long, defensive tackle and safety were two of their biggest weaknesses. Over the last year, both have become strengths.
Offensively, as long as the line gives Dak Prescott a little time, he should be able to put up a lot of points with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, KaVontae Turpin and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
5. They don’t seem like they’re done
It genuinely feels like if the right move is there, they would part with early picks in next year’s draft to try to win now. Maybe that’s another edge rusher. Maybe it’s another cornerback. Maybe nothing happens at all. But this year, it seems more possible than in most previous seasons that they are open to taking a little bit of a future gamble to win now.
Sept. 3, 2026 5:00 am CDT
There’s a misconception out there that every year the Dallas Cowboys are overhyped and that every year is “their year.”
So when there are times like the last seven months and positive vibes surround the team, many suggest they hear these things every year.
That’s simply not true. No realistic observer was saying that about the Cowboys two years ago, fresh off that disastrous playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. And it certainly wasn’t being said during all of the Micah Parsons contract drama heading into last season.
But the hype is there with this current team, and deservedly so. Now, that’s not to say they are Super Bowl favorites. Recent oddsmakers have them just outside the top 10. They are, however, a team that has everything needed to make the playoffs and potentially get hot at the most important time. That hasn’t happened in the last 30 years, so many won’t believe it until they see it. Completely understandable. Most likely felt the same way about the New York Knicks entering last season.
This story is not designed to explain why this is finally the Cowboys’ year. This is just to break down why things have felt different coming out of training camp.
1. Less drama
Jerry Jones is very open about saying when things get slow, he’ll stir it up. The Cowboys owner and general manager talked with reporters several times while the team held its annual training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Jones did not stir anything up.
George Pickens’ contract situation had the potential to be something that turned into a distraction. But not only did Pickens sign the franchise tag and show up to camp, he participated in every practice and was the team’s top performer. It was a much different situation than with Parsons a year ago, when it was unclear when Parsons would practice and play Week 1. He was eventually traded a week before the start of the season, which unquestionably put Dallas’ defense in a position to struggle.
With Jones, there’s always the chance he could say or do something to make headlines and possibly cause a distraction. But lately, he seems on board with riding some calmer waves.
2. Health
Superstition and sports go hand in hand. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer wanted to change the subject when this topic was brought up late in camp. The Cowboys have been fortunate in the health department. They are entering the regular season about as healthy as can be. Backup defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard has been working off to the side on resistance cords, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season. Reserve outside linebacker Marist Liufau fractured his left forearm in Dallas’ final preseason game, but he is expected to return at some point this season. Other than that, it’s a healthy roster.
There are many reasons for that, ranging from their work on two very well-maintained grass practice fields in Oxnard to an emphasis on not tackling to the ground in any part of camp practices. It was rare to see a bunch of bodies on the ground near the line of scrimmage during the 15 camp practices. Since returning to The Star, they’ve practiced earlier in the morning to avoid the Texas heat and work on their outdoor grass practice field.
There’s only so much that can be done to prevent injuries in such a violent sport, but the Cowboys have done as good a job as possible to make it to Week 1 in outstanding health.
3. Full buy-in
This isn’t to say players were visibly out on the coaching staffs in previous training camps, but this year’s group seems even more locked in on what the coaches are preaching. The offense is entering Year 2 with Schottenheimer calling plays and Klayton Adams as coordinator. They appear to be building on what was already one of the NFL’s best offenses. Defensively is where the bigger jump is expected. Christian Parker appears to have that side of the ball bought in on his new scheme and approach. It also helps that there is quality leadership from veterans like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark down to rookies like Caleb Downs. This isn’t to say the expectations should be a top-10 defense, but this does look like a group that will be significantly improved from last season.
4. Not many concerning roster questions
Entering camp, there were concerns about starting left tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker and cornerback. Entering Week 1, the two biggest questions are starting right tackle and the depth on the offensive line. Terence Steele is expected to remain the starter, but competition was added with the trade for Broderick Jones. Defensively, the play of Shavon Revel, DeMarvion Overshown, Jaishawn Barham and Rashan Gary, coupled with the signing of Von Miller, has helped alleviate some of those other concerns. Cornerback and inside linebacker depth could be better, but the overall defensive roster looks like it could be pretty good.
For too long, defensive tackle and safety were two of their biggest weaknesses. Over the last year, both have become strengths.
Offensively, as long as the line gives Dak Prescott a little time, he should be able to put up a lot of points with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, KaVontae Turpin and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
5. They don’t seem like they’re done
It genuinely feels like if the right move is there, they would part with early picks in next year’s draft to try to win now. Maybe that’s another edge rusher. Maybe it’s another cornerback. Maybe nothing happens at all. But this year, it seems more possible than in most previous seasons that they are open to taking a little bit of a future gamble to win now.