Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Here are some notable defensive free agents the Cowboys could consider this offseason. Whether it’s out of envy watching the Philadelphia Eagles play in the Super Bowl or out of need, there is reason to believe the Dallas Cowboys could be much more active in free agency than they have in years past. Maybe this is the year they go “all-in”, unlike last year. Considering all of the current “needs” they have, the Cowboys can’t simply rely on building their roster through the 2025 NFL Draft. They will have to address a few of those “needs” via free agency, but who those players may be is the ultimate unknown right now. Today, we thought we’d have a little fun and remove all restraints by putting together our wish list of free agents who the Cowboys could target in order to upgrade the defensive side of the ball. As unlikely as it is to sign anyone from this list, we still have our fingers crossed. DT – Milton Williams Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Osa Odighizuwa is probably the preferred free agent DT the Cowboys will target via free agency, but we are going to exclude him for no other reason than to look at a different option. Milton Williams is someone Dallas should be familiar with considering they were not only rumored to like him coming out of the Louisiana Tech, but have played him twice a year for the past several years as a division rival with the Eagles. He, like Odighizuwa, is one of the better 3-techniques on the open market and would be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense. Projected contract via PFF: 3 yrs, $21m avg/yr. ($37.5m guaranteed, $63m total) DE – Josh Sweat Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Other than Micah Parsons, who is expected to receive a big time extension this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys depth at DE leaves much to be desired. This could be the position they target with the 12th overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but free agency would be a good option as well. Josh Sweat is someone who fits what Matt Eberflus likes at the position, and signing him away from a division rival would be an added bonus. Sweat, Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, and Sam Williams would be a formidable pass rush in Dallas. Projected contracted via PFF: 3 yrs, $18m avg/yrs. ($32.5m guaranteed, $54m total) LB – Nick Bolton Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images With Eric Kendricks possibly leaving via free agency and DeMarvion Overshown’s availability up in the air to play at all in 2025, linebacker is one of the bigger “needs” for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. The MLB position is one of the more important ones in Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme. The free agent LB that fits Eberflus’ scheme best is probably Nick Bolton. He is a heatseeking missile in the run game and is pretty solid in other areas. His Super Bowl-winning mentality is something that would hopefully be contagious. Projected contract via PFF: 4 yrs, $15m avg/yrs. ($40m guaranteed, $60m total) CB – Paulson Adebo Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images With Trevon Diggs rehabbing from yet another season-ending knee injury, DaRon Bland is the only starting-caliber cornerback the Cowboys can depend on right now. This is a position they could target early in the 2025 NFL Draft as well as signing a starting-caliber CB via free agency. Paulson Adebo, whose 2024 season ended early with a broken femur, is someone they could target. He is still just 25 years old, a Texas native, and has a potential to be a No. 1 outside CB. He, Diggs, and Bland would be an impressive CB trio. Projected contract via PFF: 3 yrs, $13.33 avg/yrs. ($25m guaranteed, $40m total) S – Tre’von Moehrig Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Neither Malik Hooker or Donovan Wilson stood out in 2024 and either could possibly be a salary-cap casualty. That would further deplete Dallas’ depth at the safety position, creating another “need” to fill the offseason. Even if neither is a salary-cap casualty, upgrading and solidifying the position via free agency for years to come isn’t out of the question. Trevon Moehrig, who they liked coming out of TCU, would be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense. He’s had five interceptions and 18 passes defensed in the last two years alone. Projected contract via PFF: 4 yrs, $15m avg/yrs. ($35m guaranteed, $60m total)
Cowboys Headlines: Bears pipeline grows, OC endorsement, Aubrey extension?
Cowboys add 4th former Bears assistant to defensive coaching staff under Eberflus :: Cowboys Wire Link: New Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus appears to have full control over the assistants he wants on his side of the ball as a fourth member has now followed him from Chicago to Dallas as the assistant defensive line coach. New Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams gets ringing endorsement from former player :: Blogging the Boys Link: Cardinals soon-to-be free agent guard Will Hernandez had nothing but glowing things to say about new Cowboys offensive coordinator Klyaton Adams leading to speculation that the former UTEP alum could be a possible replacement for guard Zack Martin. Cowboys Wire previously looked at the group of four Cardinals OL who are hitting free agency in March. Former Cowboy offers pinpoint, fair critique of org as he preps for Super Bowl :: Cowboys Wire Link: For the second time in recent years, a former Cowboys tight end, who will be playing for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, takes a fair yet true critique of the circus surrounding the distractions in Dallas. Brandon Aubrey talks John Fassel departure, Nick Sorensen hire, potential contract extension :: The Mothership Link: Cowboys All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey spoke about various topics including the departure of John Fassell who is now in Tennessee, working with new special teams coach Nick Sorensen, and a potential contract extension with Dallas this offseason. Cowboys take two offensive weapons not named Ashton Jeanty in new ESPN mock draft :: Dallas Morning News Link: Texas wideout Matthew Golden and Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo have become the newest one-two punch in the upcoming draft for the Cowboys despite the overwhelming consensus that Boise State rusher Ashton Jeanty will be the pick. Kellen Moore reflects on interview with Dallas Cowboys, comments on Schottenheimer hire :: Fort Worth Star Telegram Link: Former Dallas quarterback and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore offered his thoughts on the Cowboys opting to go in a different direction and hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the team’s 10th head coach in franchise history. Cowboys unrestricted free-agent tiers: Who do they need to bring back most? :: The Athletic Link: Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis headline the list of the top-tier free agents Dallas should bring back while future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin remains in limbo as to what Dallas should do about his situation. NFL Free Agents Who Could Become Superstars on New Teams in 2025 :: Bleacher Report Link: The Cowboys are not in the business of letting talent walk out the door yet defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and running back Rico Dowdle have been named as two free agents who could become superstars on new teams which could complicate offseason negotiations. Cowboys’ Cooper Kupp trade might not be possible thanks to recent Jerry Jones gaffe :: The Landry Hat Link: The price to trade for Rams wideout Cooper Kupp is reportedly hovering around the fourth-round pick neighborhood. Dallas would benefit from having the former Offensive Player of the Year but the team traded this year’s fourth rounder for reserve receiver Jonathan Mingo during the season. Cowboys predicted to sign irreplaceable star to record-breaking contract :: SI Link: Despite Cowboys superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons publicly stating that he doesn’t need $30 million per season on his contract extension, experts predict that he will eclipse the current record holder Nick Bosa and average over $40 million per season. Micah Parsons: We struggled so much, I don’t think Derrick Henry would have helped us :: Pro Football Talk Link: Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons revealed the team was in such a bad spot in 2024 and despite their lack of interest, Ravens running back Derrick Henry wouldn’t have solved what plagued Dallas last season. Division rival lays into Cowboys amid beef with former All-Pro :: SI Despite having a career 0-6 record agaisnt the Cowboys, Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux had some not-safe-for-work remarks about Dallas and former All-Pro wideout Dez Bryant on radio row at the Super Bowl.
Micah Parsons says difference between old and new school way of thinking may have existed
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Micah Parsons touched on a potential old school and new school way of thinking in terms of the Dallas Cowboys. There is a single game remaining on the 2024 NFL season in Super Bowl LIX and hopefully we do not have to live another entire offseason where the Philadelphia Eagles are world champions. Please, Kansas City Chiefs. We are asking for help. Again. Obviously the NFL world is fixated on Sunday’s big game but every team save Kansas City and Philadelphia is already working on 2025 and beyond. We are all fascinated as to what the Dallas Cowboys are going to look like under a new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer, and in the coming months we will get more and more clues that will help us be able to put together a general idea. It goes without saying that a big part of what will impact how the Cowboys look in 2025 is free agency and how active the team is throughout it. History suggests that Dallas will shop the bargain-bin, but there will be roster turnover that they will have to account for at some point so they need to have a plan. In terms of roster turnover, pass rusher Micah Parsons offered some interesting perspective on this idea during an appearance with ESPN Radio on Wednesday. Parsons touched on the idea of the team resetting (having a new head coach makes that statement fair, obviously) but also mentioned something interesting relative to an imbalance between two groups of players. “Honestly, I think it’s good that we’re kind of resetting.”@MicahhParsons11 on how the @dallascowboys can finally break their championship drought https://t.co/aSlRvIlPz5 pic.twitter.com/M6tpdvZzAl — ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) February 5, 2025 “Honestly I think it’s good that we’re kind of resetting. We’re resetting when it comes to certain players and things… so we can just focus on building the culture. I just think it was kind of an imbalance of players between the old school way and the youth way and I think it gives leeway for guys like me to step in and kind of take charge and lead.” When Parsons mentioned resetting my mind went to the subject of the head coach as indicated up above. But Parsons went on to mention “players and thing” and then noted the imbalance between the old school and youth ways within the team. Without trying to be dramatic here, what could Parsons be saying? The Cowboys are possibly on the verge of watching players like Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence leave either in free agency or to outright retirement. They are the most “old school way” players that we could apply this line of thought to. It is fair to say that the reverence they commanded may have inhibited someone like Parsons from “leading” so to speak, but it is an interesting comment nonetheless. There is no question that the Cowboys need Parsons to be a leader as he is the best player on the team; however, if that is the case then they need to take care of the financial side of all of this and make sure that he doesn’t miss any part of the offseason due to any hypothetical holdout. Long story short, it’s time for the Cowboys front office to get to work.
Cowboys news: Dallas has another major contract extension to take care of this offseason
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys predicted to sign irreplaceable star to record-breaking contract – Koby Skillern, Sports Illustrated Another one of Dallas’ all-star players is likely to get a new deal this year. Since the moment Micah Parsons stepped onto the field as a rookie in a Dallas Cowboys uniform, the spotlight was on him—and he didn’t disappoint. Now, four years later, he’s a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. Parsons has quickly become one of the best defenders in the league, with the stats to back it up. Now, it’s time to pay him like it. ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts that Micah Parsons will sign a record-breaking extension worth around $180 million, with $125 million guaranteed over four seasons. This deal would significantly raise the market for top-tier edge rushers, following Nick Bosa’s recent five-year, $170 million contract that reset the market. Parsons’ deal would represent roughly an $11 million increase from Bosa’s contract. The deal would not only make Parsons the highest defender in the league but it would also make him the highest-paid non quarterback in the league. Parsons who has 52.5 sacks and nine force fumbles in his career is certainly worth every penny; however, Parsons did come out and say, “It would be nice to be surrounded by good players, players that will help me win championships, I’ll say that. To me, having $40 million and being chipped every play and slid into three, four people, that doesn’t sound too fun to me. So, to me, it’s about keeping people that can make a difference.” Brian Schottenheimer candid on Cowboys’ offensive plan, blueprint in 2025 and beyond – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com Despite the coaching continuity, there will be some offensive changes this season. Three consecutive years of 12-5 gave way to a train wreck of a campaign from the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, the team finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2020, and while the blame could be slathered over several slices of the proverbial bread, e.g., injuries, the offense under Mike McCarthy earned its fair share of accountability as well. Losing Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury made things worse, true enough, but the unit was disjointed prior to the All-Pro being lost in early November, giving way to backup quarterback Cooper Rush. How might things look differently under Brian Schottenheimer, though? “I’ve watched him have deference to experience,” said Jones. “… I’ve watched him bite his lip sometimes, when he didn’t necessarily agree with the direction. He bit his lip as [Marty Schottenheimer] would’ve told him to: ‘Bite your lip and have deference to the head coach.’” It’s unclear in which situations that occurred, but the coming era of Schottenheimer in Dallas will soon begin to shed light on his thought process as it relates to all things offense — his hiring of Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator and Derrick Foster as running backs coach giving strong indication, already, as to the direction things will go on that side of the ball. “I go back to my days with Pete [Carroll],” said Schottenheimer. “I think if you go back and you look at some of the things we did in Seattle, obviously, the starting point for me would be things that our players do well. You’re always going to start with that. If your system’s not flexible enough to do what your players do well then you’re probably in the wrong business.” Dallas Cowboys 2025 free agent wishlist: Offensive edition – Brian Martin, BloggingTheBoys.com Maybe this year will be the year that Dallas is active in free agency. Considering all of the current “needs” they have, the Cowboys can’t simply rely on building their roster through the 2025 NFL Draft. They will have to address a few of those “needs” via free agency, but who those players may be is the ultimate unknown right now. Today, we thought we’d have a little fun and remove all restraints by putting together a wish list of free agents the Cowboys to target in order to upgrade the offensive side of the ball. As unlikely as it is a sign anyone from this list, we still have our fingers crossed. RB – J.K. Dobbins Running back is arguably the Cowboys biggest roster “need” right now and why they are projected by some mocks to draft RB Ashton Jeanty with the 12th overall pick in the first-round. If they choose to go the free agency route though, J.K. Dobbins is a player to target. His injury history is well documented, but when healthy he’s proven he can be a highly productive RB in the league. Signing him as a free agent could allow Dallas to wait a little later in the draft to take advantage of the deep RB draft class. OG – Trey Smith Protecting Dak Prescott, the highest-paid player in the league, has to be one of the Cowboys top priorities, if not the top priority, moving forward. And, if they are serious about improving the running game, then finding Zack Martin’s replacement at RG if he retires is something they should focus on. By signing Trey Smith via free agency they would accomplish all that. He still just 25 years old and and is the best OG on the open market. He is a plug-and-play starter at RG and would help solidify Dallas’ OL for years to come. Cowboys defender with two years left on $21 million deal may no longer fit – Reid Hanson, USA Today A new defensive scheme may lead to a secondary player being let go. Matt Eberflus is the Dallas Cowboys new defensive coordinator and with him comes a new defensive scheme. As a former Cowboys coach, Eberflus isn’t foreign around these parts. His scheme is much more straight forward than that of Dan Quinn or Mike Zimmer. He stunts less, blitzes less, and disguises his coverages less. For safeties like Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker it
Cowboys legends not enthusiastic about state of the organization, NFL overall
Cowboys legends not enthusiastic about state of the organization, NFL overall K.D. Drummond One of the best things to be able to witness is when two friends, who might otherwise not be as forthcoming with their truest feelings, get together and start shooting the breeze. Oftentimes they are able to elicit responses and commentary from each other because of their familiarity. That might have been the case this week as Deion Sanders and Troy Aikman, integral pieces to the Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1990s. met on Sanders’ talk show. Aikman was a guest and the conversation turned to the Cowboys’ coaching search. Deion Sanders was quickly and publicly floated as someone the organization met with, once Mike McCarthy walked away from negotiations with Jerry Jones to return to the head coach position. Sanders revealed why he didn’t want to coach in the NFL and Aikman laid into how disappointed he was that Sanders didn’t get a formal interview, going so far as to hint that owner Jerry Jones is at fault for the club’s situation. “For Dallas, Deion would have been a really good fit because he would have commanded the room, and his personality is such that people would have known that he was in charge,” Aikman said (via ESPN transcription). “And I think that’s important for [the] organization to know that the head coach is the one who’s calling the shots and that he’s in charge.” That’s clearly a shot at Jones without calling him out by name. The Cowboys have hired Brian Schottenheimer, and Jones has admitted the risk of the selection. McCarthy, it’s been reported, had issue with the length of the contract offered, but also Jones’ insistence that Jason Witten be added to the staff. Jones insisted that Kellen Moore be retained when McCarthy was hired, and did the same with Wade Phillips by pre-hiring Jason Garrett to be his OC. Jones had to be talked out of doing the same to the next head coach of Dallas by saddling him with Schottenheimer. Instead, he just made Schottenheimer the head coach. Aikman went on to say even perennial cheerleader Michael Irvin is now disillusioned with the franchise for not interviewing their former teammate Sanders. For his part, Sanders reiterated that coaching in the NFL doesn’t interest him because he would expect too much of the players and doesn’t think those currently in the NFL would be willing to hear his message of what it takes to win. “I couldn’t coach pro ball,” Sanders said on his show, which streamed Tuesday. “That’s why I say, I couldn’t coach — I know it was cute. But I couldn’t coach pro ball, because the way they practice, the way they go about it, I couldn’t take it. As a man, and as a football enthusiast, and I care about the game. The game is still providing for Troy and I, so there is no way I could allow that to happen on my watch. That would be tough.”
Former Cowboys TE Peyton Hendershot says Chiefs are about winning, Dallas about ‘extracurriculars’
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Peyton Hendershot is the latest person to openly question the Dallas Cowboys culture. It is not a secret that some former Dallas Cowboys players do not believe the team is all about winning. Consider when Cole Beasley left the team and noted that the Buffalo Bills had better facilities. That was a long time ago, but in recent years Dalton Schultz left for the Houston Texans and caused a bit of a frenzy when he referred to the facility tours at The Star as a zoo-like atmosphere that players have to deal with. During the week of Super Bowl LIX, another former player went on record about it all. I happen to be in New Orleans and caught up with Peyton Hendershot during the Kansas City Chiefs availability on Wednesday morning. We had a great chat about Hendershot’s career, his time at Indiana, what it’s like to be in this game and all of the obvious thing, but it goes without saying that Cowboys questions came up. When asked about the pomp and circumstance associated with playing for America’s Team, Hendershot noted that there is a significant difference between his current team and old one, and in the exact same way that former Cowboys have done so in the past. Current Chiefs and former Cowboys TE Peyton Hendershot on the culture differences between the two teams: “This is throwing no strays… but I just feel like when I came to Kansas City… my first experience in the NFL was the Cowboys so that’s all I knew… I just feel like… pic.twitter.com/XLYKwhfiCy — RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) February 5, 2025 Hendershot spoke with incredible respect to the Cowboys. His tenor was not one of ill will or in trying to stir the pot. He answered the question with grace and in the most honest way that he could. People shouldn’t assume anything negative here. But Hendershot confirmed what former Cowboys have said in the past by saying that the Chiefs, his current team, are purely focused on football and winning. In the tweet above he referred to “extracurriculars” being more of a priority with the Cowboys, and if you listen to the whole clip you will hear him say things like autograph signings and picture opportunities. He provided some legitimate depth to this subject that has encircled the team for some time. One of the first Cowboys things I asked Hendershot was actually about last offseason specifically. You will recall that he was traded to Kansas City in August so things have been a whirlwind for him since the season started. When asked if the chaos of last offseason that we all saw was something that he felt, he brought up the CeeDee Lamb contract and, like all of us, expressed bewilderment as to why the Cowboys took so long to get it done and noted that Lamb’s absence was a big deal. He even said that they went four to five months without seeing Lamb. Current Chiefs and former Cowboys TE Peyton Hendershot noted that the chaos of last offseason for Dallas was definitely something he felt. He brought up the contract situation that the team was in with CeeDee Lamb, how CeeDee’s absence was felt in his opinion during all of the… pic.twitter.com/kMDnTl2HnO — RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) February 5, 2025 Like with the answer about the Cowboys culture this is hardly surprising, but it confirms the things we all tend to believe about the team and how they operate. It is sobering in that sense. For a bit of optimism to end things with, when asked what the Cowboys are getting in Brian Schottenheimer since he worked with him, he noted that he doesn’t exactly know Schottenheimer that well, but he did offer a fair endorsement so to speak. Current Chiefs and former Cowboys TE Peyton Hendershot noted that he couldn’t offer a full opinion on Brian Schottenheimer and how he will succeed as the team’s new head coach because he isn’t in the locker room anymore, but he did note that Schotty is a great guy. It was a fair… pic.twitter.com/S3rZ4nXc7w — RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) February 5, 2025
2025 Free Agency: Cowboys defender projected as $100 million signing for 1st-year AFC coach
2025 Free Agency: Cowboys defender projected as $100 million signing for 1st-year AFC coach K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys have a lengthy list of free-agent players who could be just as attractive to other organizations as they are to Dallas. The biggest name on the list might just be defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The 2021 third-round pick doesn’t have a huge number of career sacks, but he’s been a effective disruptor and teams always thirsty for a player with his skillset. Odighizuwa set his career high in sacks in 2024 with 4.5. His strength has always been in disruption, consistently ranking among the best defensive tackles in advanced analytics. And that will likely make him a top target for at least a handful of teams. Pro Football Focus thinks one of those should be the New England Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Mike Vrabel inherits a roster that needs a boost at nearly every position group, and New England holds the cap space to do so this offseason. New England’s interior was especially ineffective in 2024, totaling the lowest pressure rate from defensive tackles (7.6%) in 2024. Odighizuwa would be an instant upgrade, having recorded two consecutive seasons with a 78.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade and a 14%-plus win rate. After a year away from the game, Vrabel landed back in New England where he spent much of his playing career. The former Tennessee Titan head coach took over after Bob Kraft dismissed Jerod Mayo after just one season. Earlier in this offseason, Odighizuwa ranked No. 30 on Pro Football Focus’ list of top pending free agents. As part of their exercise, PFF finds a previous free agent to compare to. Odighizuwa’s comp is Nnamdi Madubuike, who signed with Baltimore last offseason on a four year, $98 million contract. Per PFF, Madubuike signed for 9.6% of the 2024 cap. With NFL teams preparing for a 2025 salary cap between $265 million and $275 million, that percentage would put a four-year deal for Odighizuwa’s north of $100 million. It would also put Dallas in line for a third-round compensatory pick in 2026 if they came out on the plus side of the ledger in free agents lost vs signed.
Cowboys hire former Bears assistant defensive line coach Bryan Bing for same position
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Matt Eberflus has a former colleague coming with him to the Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys are making sure that new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is as comfortable as possible in his new role. On Wednesday, the team hired Bryan Bing as an assistant defensive line coach, a position he held in 2024 with the Chicago Bears while Eberflus was the head coach. This makes him the fourth former Bears assistant who has taken their talents to Dallas to follow Eberflus. Bryan Bing has been named the Cowboys assistant defensive line coach. He is the fourth former Bears assistant to follow new coordinator Matt Eberflus to Dallas, joining pass game coordinator Andre Curtis, LBs Dave Borgonzi and assistant DBs David Overstreet. — Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 5, 2025 Bing was with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 as an assistant defensive line coach due to being a part of the Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellows program. That does it for his experience in the NFL. However, he was a defensive line coach at Butler (2018) and Wofford College (2021-2022). Bing was also a graduate assistant at Heidelberg University (2016), Kent State (2017), and Pittsburgh (2019-2020). The Cowboys have now distanced themselves from former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and the previous regime completely. Hopefully, it produces quality results next season and beyond.
Former Cowboy offers pinpoint, fair critique of org as he preps for Super Bowl
Former Cowboy offers pinpoint, fair critique of org as he preps for Super Bowl reidhanson It’s media week at the Super Bowl, with journalists and media personalities from across the globe descending upon the last two NFL teams standing. Players get questions ranging from politics to food during this headline-seeking media circus. And every once in a while, a good question gets asked and answered along the way. Former Dallas Cowboys tight end, Peyton Hendershot, recently fielded one of these questions. With his ties to Dallas, he was asked about the differences between playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and playing for the Cowboys. His answer was neither surprising nor unfair. “This is throwing no strays…but I just feel like when I came to Kansas City…my first experience in the NFL was the Cowboys, that’s all I knew,” Hendershot sincerely stated. “I just feel like here it is strictly football and winning. Nothing else but just football and winning.” Hendershot’s comments echoed, albeit in a less malicious manner, what another former Cowboys TE said about the split focus in Dallas as well. Last season it was Dalton Schultz discussing the distracting tours at The Star, with fans tapping on the glass, and eventually calling Dallas a “zoo.” Few will deny the bright lights of Dallas are the most blinding in the NFL. Many have stated one way or another, the different sideshows, media coverage and constant off-field distractions are more prevalent with the Cowboys than with most franchises. It’s not just football in Dallas; it’s America’s Team and everything that comes with it. To act like that’s breaking news or even some form of shade is ignoring the obvious. To play for the Cowboys is to do something bigger than just football. The Cowboys are sport’s biggest brand. They are a media powerhouse situated in a major metropolitan area and surrounded by all the expected trappings. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s like comparing a small, remote college to NYU. The college doesn’t have many distractions, outside attention, or outside trappings. A student there is focused solely on the task at hand – education. NYU is a university located in the heart of New York City. Every distraction conceivable is an arm length away. An experience there is comprised of more than just the education received. It may not be for everyone, but for those that can handle it, NYU is an unrivaled experience. In the same way, playing for the Cowboys may not be for everyone. Some people can’t handle the bright lights, the media attention and all the other glamorous distractions that come with playing for America’s Team. But to those who can hack it, the experience is unrivaled. The Cowboys teams of the 1990s embraced all aspects of the experience. For better or for worse, they burned the candles at both ends, leaving no meat on the bone while taking advantage of every experience on and off the field. And they won. The idea Dallas is too hard to play at and the Cowboys are too focused on other things to win, is an invalid excuse. Arguing ownership is more committed to making money than winning? That may be more valid but that’s a different conversation entirely. When it comes to the distractions that come with playing for America’s Team and if that’s something that really prevents winning. Of course it doesn’t. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
New Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams gets ringing endorsement from former player
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK The Cowboys appear to be getting quite the coach in Klayton Adams. Dust is settling on the Dallas Cowboys hiring Klayton Adams as their new offensive coordinator and it is one of the hires in the Brian Schottenheimer era that has gotten just about universal approval. Adams joins the Cowboys off of a stint as the Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach where he oversaw a group that ran the ball very well. Obviously the hope is that he is able to have similar levels of success in Dallas. Beyond having on-field success, it seems that Adams was also a popular figure in the Cardinals locker room. Recent Cardinals lineman Will Hernandez spoke to DLLS while on Radio Row at the Super Bowl and touched on the subject. He spoke with great enthusiasm about Adams and who Dallas is getting. Had a great conversation with Arizona OL Will Hernandez — a free agent this offseason — about Klayton Adams. I’ll share the full interview tomorrow, but first here’s a teaser: “I’m telling you: you got the right guy.” https://t.co/tIj6DZUQYA pic.twitter.com/auKJql7nPK — Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) February 4, 2025 It is important to note that Schottenheimer will be calling the plays so Adams’ role as an offensive coordinator is limited in that sense. But Adams will obviously be a key figure in establishing the team’s identity and in helping their identity form as weeks unfold. Hearing a recent player of his, one who Adams obviously worked with closely, is certainly encouraging and perhaps an indication of who could follow Adams to join his new offense. Consider that Will Hernandez is a free agent to be and that Dallas could certainly use help along the interior of the offensive line, especially if Zack Martin retires. If the Cowboys are seriously going to go about attacking the run game differently than they have in the past – the hiring of Schottenheimer and Adams suggest that this is the case to a certain degree – then they will need the proper personnel to do it.
