Zack Martin still mulling over his football future: ‘I want to try to get healthy’ :: The Mothership
In New Orleans for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award announcement, the 11-year veteran talks like his window for playing in a Super Bowl may have already closed. “I mean, it’ll be cool to experience it as a fan, but [I] obviously wish we could have played in it at some point in my career.” Martin said. He estimates he’s still four to six weeks away from declaring his plans for next year, but he admits that retirement and playing for another team are both realistic options. “Still trying to figure out what the next chapter in my life looks like, whether that be playing football here in Dallas, playing football somewhere else, retiring, whatever that may be, that’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
Cowboys defender with two years left on $21 million deal may no longer fit :: Cowboys Wire
Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer both used a lot of stunts, blitzes, and disguises from the Cowboys’ defensive personnel. But under Matt Eberflus, veteran Malik Hooker probably won’t be able to play centerfield as a single-high safety with the same regularity. He (along with Donovan Wilson) posted the lowest-graded qualifying season of his career this past season. He’s an expensive player coming off a down year; in a new scheme, that three-year, $21 million extension he signed with Dallas in 2023 suddenly may not be worth the investment anymore.
2025 NFL Free Agency: 1 player each team should sign this offseason :: The 33rd Team
With DeMarvion Overshown likely rehabbing for most of 2025, Eric Kendricks likely gone, and Marist Liufau in just his second season, the Cowboys need linebacker help. Robert Spillane is coming off back-to-back strong seasons in Las Vegas. A never-miss tackler and a player who doesn’t come off the field would serve the Dallas defense well. And a bonus for the budget-conscious Joneses? He could probably be had at a not-astronomical price.
One offseason move for each NFC team: Seahawks should extend Geno Smith; Cowboys need RB help :: NFL.com
Just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it’s not absolutely true. Of all the issues for Dallas in 2025, the Cowboys simply must go double-barrel at running back. Rico Dowdle made major headway last year once he was treated as a starter, so bring him back. But give him help; of the eleventy-billion mock drafts done this offseason, about 10.9999 billion will peg Ashton Jeanty to the Cowboys. If not the Boise State star, it has to be an explosive talent to replace what the team lost in Tony Pollard.
Cowboys coaching hire shows them once again putting cart ahead of horse :: Cowboys Wire
The team has hired former NFL player and ex-Patriots staffer Tiquan Underwood as assistant wide receivers coach… except they haven’t yet named an actual wide receivers coach. It’s not the first time the Cowboys have filled an underling slot before bringing on the superior. It’s a risky move from a personnel and chemistry standpoint, to be sure, but there were reports that Underwood was being actively wooed by Florida State.
Brandon Aubrey: Cowboys’ new emergency QB? :: Tommy Yarrish
Shawne Merriman shares football journey, Chargers & Dallas Cowboys stories with Jesse Holley :: Unfiltered with Jesse Holley
The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker shared how he was very nearly drafted by the Cowboys in 2005. He says in a meeting with Jerry Jones, the owner told him the team might take him if he fell to the 11th pick. He says he got nervous, though, when head coach Bill Parcells promised, “We’re going to work the [expletive] out of you. I can’t wait to work your [expletive].” Dallas ended up selecting DeMarcus Ware; Merriman went to the Chargers one pick later.
Hometown Hero: Arp honors favorite son DeMarvion Overshown with sign :: Tyler Morning Telegraph
He’s played in just 13 games over two years, but Overshown is already the best thing to ever come out of tiny Arp, Tex. And the city wants to make sure visitors know it; they’ve erected a sign honoring the former Longhorn and current Cowboy right on Highway 64 as drivers enter town.
Chiefs’ Clark Hunt praises Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer: ‘I think he’ll do a great job’ :: Dallas Morning News
The Chiefs owner, hoping to win his third straight Super Bowl and his fourth Lombardi Trophy in six seasons, remembers the 25-year-old who was once an assistant in Kansas City in his dad’s final year as the team’s head coach. “I’m so glad that Brian Schottenheimer is getting a chance to lead that organization,” Hunt said of Schottenheimer’s new role as Cowboys head coach. “He’s somebody we thought quite a bit about as a young man. I’m glad he’s getting that opportunity.”
Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens beefing over who was better :: Terrell Owens
Former Steeler thinks Pittsburgh could’ve beaten Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX with ‘another quarter’ :: Steelers Depot
Kendall Gammon claims that, despite three second-half picks thrown by QB Neil O’Donnell, the Steelers “might have been” just another 15 minutes away from pulling off a come-from-behind win over Dallas in Super Bowl XXX. They did score 10 points in the fourth quarter, but they also allowed a late Emmitt Smith dagger of a touchdown. And given the costly turnovers, it’s hard to imagine that Pittsburgh would have had that kind of comeback in them… no matter what the Steelers’ long snapper now says 29 years after the fact.
Tunnel of Darkness: Nightmarish Cowboys season is about to come to a close :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys have been done for a month, but Super Bowl LIX will mercifully bring the official end to an embarrassing season for the franchise. But the mess of a year wasn’t a surprise to those who had been paying attention. From an all-too-passive offseason to blowout losses to yet another debate about the need for stadium curtains to season-altering injuries for too many star players to, finally, being eliminated from playoff contention and then watching two former coordinators battle for the conference title, it was all frustrating and painful to watch. The reset to 2025 can’t come quickly enough for Cowboys fans.
