Why the Cowboys Could Surprise the NFL This Season

Believe it or not, NFL training camp is officially here. That means the Dallas Cowboys have begun their 2025 season in Oxnard, California, for their 20th time.

If you’re a fan of America’s Team or regularly stay up-to-date with the NFL, then you know the Cowboys’ offseason hype is at an all-time low. 

At 25 years old, I can’t remember a time when people weren’t saying the Cowboys were finally going to break their NFC Championship drought and make a serious run at their sixth Super Bowl.

But maybe 2025 is the year to buy low and sell high on Cowboys stock.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cowboys currently have the sixth-lowest odds to win the NFC at +2200, the second-lowest odds to win the NFC East at +550, and are actually favored to miss the playoffs at -245.

Usually, the sportsbooks know something the general public doesn’t, but I think the world is underestimating this team’s potential.

Fans who truly understand the NFL and the nuances of the game know that, if this team can stay healthy, the Cowboys are more than capable of making a postseason appearance this season.

Flashback to 2024 (I know it’s painful)

There’s no question about it, 2024 was an abysmal season in Dallas.

From the very start of last offseason, Jerry Jones and the front office refused to address the team’s most glaring needs. That approach also led to delays in working out extensions for CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

The writing was on the wall long before the first snap of the season.

Even I fell for some of the hype that it could be a hopeful season, but I was dissatisfied throughout the entire offseason leading up to the first game against the Cleveland Browns. 

By Week Two, against the New Orleans Saints, it was clear this team was going to struggle.

Even before Prescott went down halfway through the season, he was struggling, hampered by a weak run game, a lack of playmakers outside of Lamb, and inconsistent offensive line play. The Cowboys simply didn’t have much hope to turn things around.

Everything fans complained about during the offseason ended up being exactly what doomed the Cowboys to another wasted, empty season at AT&T Stadium.

But since January, things have started to change, and for the better.

Offseason Wrap-Up

I won’t lie, this offseason has grown on me over the past few months.

In free agency, I think the Cowboys made a few sneaky but key signings that could really make a difference.

Signings like linebacker Jack Sanborn, defensive ends Payton Turner and Dante Fowler (who I’m ecstatic to see back), and running back Javonte Williams are all guys I believe will step up and make big plays this season.

The Cowboys also retained key contributors like defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, and safety Markquese Bell, each of whom will play an important role in the team’s success this season.

When it came to the head coach search, I was livid that the Cowboys didn’t even reach out to candidates like Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel. It blew my mind that they wouldn’t at least have a conversation with them.

Instead, Jerry and company did the unthinkable (sarcasm fully intended) and stayed in-house with Brian Schottenheimer, a low-risk, safe hire.

Since learning more about him, that he’s a player’s coach, well-respected in the locker room, endorsed by guys like Dak, and seemingly a real stand-up guy. I’ve started to believe this could actually turn into a great hire.

I still have my doubts, of course, and I want to see how things look on the field, but I have to admit… the move has grown on me.

That brings me to the staff Schottenheimer has brought in. Former Cardinals offensive line coach Klayton Adams will take over as offensive coordinator, while former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus steps in as defensive coordinator. On paper, it looks like a promising staff.

I especially loved the Adams hire. He’s a coach who believes in pounding the rock, and his offensive philosophy has consistently produced top-five rushing offenses.

I’m hopeful he can help 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton take that much-needed step at left tackle, and get Tyler Booker NFL-ready before Week 1.

It’s been a while since the Cowboys had a physical, downhill run identity, but with Adams’ approach, a wide variety in the running back room, and young talent on the offensive line, this unit could turn into something special.

Finally, the move of the offseason: the Cowboys acquired wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers back in early May.

Dallas hasn’t had a true No. 2 receiver, or a 1A/1B duo like Lamb and Pickens will be, since Amari Cooper left in 2021. With both players almost guaranteed of topping 1,000 yards, defenses will have their hands full trying to contain this duo all season long.

Why I’m Optimistic 

To start, let’s keep riding the Pickens train.

The former Steelers No. 1 receiver brings a true deep-threat presence, something the Cowboys have been missing for a while.

Sure, there have been rumors of locker room issues (can confirm from an inside source), but I believe a change of scenery and a fresh culture in Dallas could be exactly what the 24-year-old needs to thrive.

Dallas has been in desperate need of playmakers on the outside. Jalen Tolbert can be a solid No. 3 option, no slight to him, but he’s not a No. 2 in this league. Turpin is more of a gadget player than a consistent receiving threat. On top of that, the tight end room underperformed last season.

With Pickens now in the mix, I think everything else starts to fall into place. His presence alone will open things up and lead to more production across the board.

That brings me to the key to Pickens’ success: my dark-horse MVP candidate, Dak Prescott.

Last year, Dak did the best he could given the tough circumstances and being set up for failure before his injury cut the season short. I believe he bounces back with a season reminiscent of his 2023 MVP-caliber performance, which, by the way, he should have won.

With both Pickens and Lamb on the outside, Dak’s game will reach a whole new level. And if the run game finishes at least in the top half of the league, this offense could be a serious threat.

That’s where Schottenheimer’s new scheme comes into play.

Fans won’t really get a full sense of the revamped offense until the season kicks off.

Are there going to be some growing pains and learning curves? Absolutely, that’s to be expected.

But if the offense can settle in and trust the process, they should be just fine in the long run.

Defensive Concerns

Now, let’s flip to the defensive side of the ball.

This is where I get a bit more cautious. While I like the depth at defensive end and the linebacker additions, the interior defensive line and the secondary still worry me.

Odighizuwa is already established and should continue as a solid top-20-ish defensive tackle, but Mazi Smith has to have a career year.

Dallas has struggled to stop the run for as long as I can remember, and Smith was drafted out of Michigan in 2023 specifically to help fix that. So far, he’s been extremely disappointing, and if he doesn’t improve, it could be another long season of watching running backs run all over Dallas.

As for the DB room, not much has changed, but losing Jourdan Lewis in free agency to Jacksonville is a killer loss. In my opinion, he’s been one of the most underrated Cowboys over the years, and that goes for cornerbacks across the NFL in general.

They added Shavon Revel Jr. in the draft and Kaiir Elam in a trade with Buffalo, but they are both going to have to prove they can handle that CB3 or CB4 role. 

I have a lot of confidence in Daron Bland, but beyond that, the secondary is a bit concerning. Trevon Diggs is coming off another injury and hasn’t been with the team all summer, instead working out in Florida with his trainer.

I’d really like to see the Cowboys bring back Stephon Gilmore to add some much-needed depth and veteran experience for the younger guys.

At safety, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are back as the starting duo. I really wish the team had addressed this glaring weakness because it was clear watching last season that improvement was needed.

Unless the Cowboys make a trade or a late free-agent move, I expect opposing offenses to lick their chops leading up to facing Dallas.

Lastly, Micah Parsons still doesn’t have a new contract.

I just don’t get the logic of not locking up your own star players as soon as they become eligible for an extension.

We’re likely in for the same circus during training camp that we saw with Lamb and Prescott last year.

Meanwhile, players of Parsons’ caliber like Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt both landed record-breaking deals this offseason, which only drives up his price.

It’s honestly mind-boggling that Jerry and the front office keep mismanaging their franchise superstars—but I digress.

Final Thoughts

Like I said, the Cowboys are going to surprise a lot of people this season. For the first time in a while, they’re being overlooked heading into the year. Now, as they hit the field in Oxnard, it’s time to get ready.

There’s no question, there are some concerns about this roster, but when it comes down to what happens in between those white lines, I think Dallas will make some noise.

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