That is Fourth of July Weekend, a fitting time to debate America\u2019s Team. The Cowboys missed the postseason in each of the past two years, but a few their key figures have expressed optimism they are going to return to contention in 2026. Quarterback Dak Prescott <\/b>said in June<\/a> that making the playoffs is the\u00a0\u201cminimum\u201d <\/i>expectation. Meanwhile, second-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer <\/b>has his sights set on the Cowboys\u2019 first championship since 1995.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cSuper Bowl 61, February 14th, 2027, that\u2019s where we plan on being,\u201d<\/em> Schottenheimer declared<\/a> in May.<\/i><\/p>\n First things first, clinching a playoff berth would represent a large step forward after back-to-back seven-win campaigns. By now, everybody knows the most important wrongdoer for the Cowboys\u2019 subpar finish in 2025. It was a defense that lost superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons <\/b>in a late-August trade with the Packers. They allowed 511 points, worst within the NFL and probably the most of their 66-year history as a franchise.<\/p>\n The Cowboys\u2019 abysmal defense undermined a high-octane offense that ranked second in yards and seventh in points. Prescott bounced back from a severe hamstring injury from the prior 12 months to supply outstanding results over a full season. The tremendous receiver tandem of CeeDee Lamb <\/b>and George Pickens<\/b> helped his cause, as did 1,200-yard running back Javonte Williams,<\/b>\u00a082-catch tight end Jake Ferguson<\/b> and No. 3 wideout Ryan Flournoy.<\/b><\/p>\n The Cowboys\u2019 offense faced the potential departures of Pickens and Williams on the outset of the offseason, but owner Jerry Jones<\/b> retained each players. There was some drama involving Pickens, whom the Cowboys didn’t lock up for the long haul. They as an alternative slapped the previous Steeler with the franchise tag in late February. Although the Cowboys have publicly ruled out an extension by the July 15 deadline, Pickens will report back to training camp and play for $27.3MM. He must have loads of motivation in his second consecutive platform season, while Williams will lead the Cowboys\u2019 backfield again after re-signing on a three-year, $24MM pact.<\/p>\n With Pickens and Williams sticking around, the Cowboys are essentially running it back on offense. The most important query is whether or not Tyler Guyton<\/b>, Nate Thomas <\/b>and even left guard Tyler Smith <\/b>will start at left tackle. Regardless of who wins that job, there may be little doubt Dallas\u2019 offense will put up numbers if its skill players stay healthy.<\/p>\n Naturally, there are more concerns on the defensive side after last 12 months\u2019s horrid performance. As mentioned, no one gave up more points than the Cowboys. Additionally they got here in last in pass defense, thirtieth in total yards and takeaways, twenty sixth in sacks, and twenty third against the run.<\/p>\n The Cowboys prioritized keeping Pickens and Williams, but improving the defense was their most significant offseason task. It began with firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus<\/strong> and hiring first-time DC Christian Parker<\/b>. A Vic Fangio <\/b>disciple, the 34-year-old Parker is taken into account a rising star on the heels of a two-year run because the Eagles\u2019 defensive pass game coordinator\/DBs coach.<\/p>\n Parker must have a greater solid to work with than Eberflus did in 2025, though edge defender Jadeveon Clowney <\/b>stays unsigned after recording a team-high 8.5 sacks last season. The Cowboys don’t appear more likely to re-sign Clowney. Additionally they lost defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa<\/b> in a trade with the 49ers. Already featuring two other expensive D-tackles, Quinnen Williams <\/b>and Kenny Clark<\/b>, the Cowboys shipped out Odighizuwa for the 92nd pick within the draft. They used it on Jaishawn Barham<\/b>, an off-ball linebacker who showed promise as a pass rusher at Maryland and Michigan.<\/p>\n Barham is a member of a position group that also welcomed Dee Winters<\/b> in one other trade with the 49ers. Winters and\u00a0DeMarvion Overshown <\/b>are set to start out at inside linebacker in Parker\u2019s newly installed 3-4 base. Overshown has flashed when healthy during his three-year profession, but injuries have dogged him. Although he has played just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games, the Cowboys are counting on Overshown to remain healthy and wear the green dot<\/a> on his helmet.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.profootballrumors.com\/files\/2026\/06\/USATSI_27741637-217x300.jpg\")
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