Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images It is still incredible to remember that George Pickens is a Cowboy. When the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens, it was the splashiest offseason move they’ve made since 2018 when they gave up a first-round draft pick for another wide receiver, Amari Cooper. Such a move has been highly praised for the most part. Pickens has put up over 800 yards in each of his first three seasons in the league, including eclipsing 1,100 yards the year before last. He’s a good football player. While the majority feel the Cowboys made a good trade, there is a chance this doesn’t work out. There’s no secret that things soured in Pittsburgh, which led to them shipping him off. His overall attitude, effort, and occasional on-field antics created enough of a concern for head coach Mike Tomlin that he was deemed expendable. And to Tomlin’s credit, he’s pretty good about jumping ship before it hits the iceberg, as there is a good list of former Steelers’ receivers who were productive while they were there, only to sink to the bottom when venturing off to their new team. As much of a headache he can be, Pickens isn’t facing any looming suspension for violating anything, nor has he ever been suspended. There is a long list of fines (10 total) he’s been hit with for doing stupid stuff, ranging from an obscene gesture to taunting. And he loves grabbing people’s facemasks (three separate penalties), which is sort of weird considering he plays offense. Suffice it to say, we all know this move comes with some risk. But there is also a huge side of this coin where things work out quite nicely. With all his supposed drama, he’s still a huge contributor. The Cowboys haven’t had a WR2 this talented since Cooper’s last season with the team. That year, the offense finished no. 1 in the league in both points scored and yards gained. They were humming. How well Pickens performs will go a long way on whether this ends up being a good trade for the Cowboys; however, there’s another part of this as well that gets a lot of attention. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, so he will hit the open free agent market next offseason. Unless the Cowboys have something up their sleeve, this trade could end up being a one-year rental. It’s a tight battle, but the majority of fans (52%) believe he’ll be one-and-done in Dallas. If that happens, does that change your perception of the trade? If you’re against the trade, your general feeling is, let’s wish for the best, and hopefully, he gives the team some production on the field and possibly earns them a compensatory pick in 2026. In that camp, a Pickens extension is the last thing on your mind. If you’re opposed to the trade, there would be no logical reason to double down by making a larger financial commitment. For those who love the trade, locking him down even longer probably sounds appealing. The idea of him and CeeDee Lamb running rampant over the next few years would quench the thirst of so many who’re parched from all the Allen Hurns/Noah Brown/Jalen Tolbert drought they’ve had to endure in the past. The Cowboys could be hedging their bets. They like him enough to use a future third-round pick on him, but would like to see things play out before making any additional commitment. That seems like the smart way to go, even if it drives up the price a bit. Paying for good players isn’t a bad problem to have, but guessing wrong and eating a bunch of dead money for bad investments can have a lingering effect. Examining the range of outcomes, here is what we could be looking at: Extend him now, he turns out to be great, a good-value contract He’s great, they extend him next offseason, he’s more expensive He’s great, but he’s just a one-year rental, the Cowboys get a good comp pick He’s blah, he’s just a one-year rental, the Cowboys get a weaker comp pick He’s a bust, he’s a one-year rental, no comp pick, the Cowboys wasted a third-round pick Extend him now, he’s a bust, and the Cowboys are hit with a big dead-money hit When you start to hypothesize the likelihood of these things happening, it feels like options 2, 3, or 4 are what the team is facing. Neither of those choices is a best-case or worst-case scenario, but there are both good and bad outcomes. When you look at these possibilities and their corresponding consequences, it’s hard to complain about the trade. Obviously, some outcomes are better than others, and only time will reveal the answer, but regardless of what happens, the Cowboys were right to make this deal. Where do you stand?

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Do you think Dak Prescott is a top 100 NFL player? We are in the middle of July which means the NFL content machine is reaching deep in its bag before replenishing itself with training camp news. On Monday the proverbial process played a classic hit… ranking the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. You may recall that this is around the time when the NFL Top 100 comes out. This list has long been advertised as something that is voted on “bye the players” as a way to lend credence to it. Obviously that makes sense. As time has gone on though the list has lost a little prestige and it has clearly been proven to be a “these players were good last year” type of thing along with a general popularity contest. However you feel about it these days it is in the process of unfolding and this year’s version had Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as the 79th overall player in the league. NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@DallasCowboys QB Dak Prescott is ranked at No. 79! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/dqLopoijFD — NFL (@NFL) July 14, 2025 Our own question here at BTB on this fine Tuesday is… do you think Dak is a top 100 player? Consider that question. We are talking about 100 total players across the entire league. Maybe you believe strongly that he is. Perhaps you think that Dak is outside of the best 100 players in the entire NFL. State your case and defend it. Go.

Chris Jones-Imagn Images All the Dallas Cowboys news that’s fit to print Is Jaydon Blue a serious threat to be the Cowboys’ starting RB? – Shane Taylor, Inside The Star The Cowboys will be in search of play makers with the ball in their hands at training camp, and rookie RB Jaydon Blue can be that guy. Over the next two months, we will have a better understanding of whether he can poise a legit threat to win the job. Former Cowboys Marcus Spears thinks he can be a guy to surprise a lot of people. “I think the Dallas offensive line is going to be one of the more physical and athletic offensive lines when it comes to zone schemes and as far as getting running backs in lanes and allowing them to use speed,” Spears said. “I think the Dallas offensive line is going to be one of the more physical and athletic offensive lines when it comes to zone schemes and as far as getting running backs in lanes and allowing them to use speed,” Spears said. “I’m looking forward to this rookie maybe shocking a lot of people. A lot of good stuff coming out on him when he was there for rookie minicamp and OTAs. The speed jumps off the page at 4.38. He could be an unsung guy that we could talk about a lot.” In three years at Texas he ran for only a total of 1161, but they had other running backs get drafted over the years. His best year was last season, when he ran for 730 yards as the backup. He carried the ball 134 times, so he shouldn’t have any problems with touches. I think Blue, with his speed, should at least get a chance, and if he is doing just as well as Sanders or Williams, I got with the young until he gives you a reason to not start him. 5) Who is the Week 1 starter at RB position? – Staff, DallasCowboys.com Even those around the team every day are split on who will start at running back for the Cowboys right now. Tommy: As it stands right now, I’ll say Miles Sanders. I think of all the backs in the room, he’s got the most juice left and the best chance to benefit from a fresh start after Sanders struggled in his two seasons with the Panthers. It’s hard to tell given what we’ve seen in padless practices who is rising to the top in the running back room, and will likely be a better question to monitor at training camp, but in shorts Sanders looks a bit more explosive compared to the rest of the group. Mickey: Certainly, a TBD answer. Hard to judge running backs without the pads on, and that scheduled practice against the Rams and three preseason games will help make the final determination. But if we follow the money and what took place in the offseason 11-on-11 sessions, the leader going into training camp would be Javonte Williams who has been taking the majority of the first team reps. Kyle: Dallas has claimed they want a stout rushing attack and dominating presence on the ground but have failed to establish the run over the last two seasons. Are two veterans (Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders) and two rookies (Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah) the answer? Maybe they can be as a group, but who will lead the charge? I believe Williams is the best suited to become a lead back in 2025, but it’ll be up to his early production to see if he holds on to it. Cowboys’ hopes of extending George Pickens just took a crushing blow – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat It is going to be a challenge for the Cowboys to keep George Pickens after 2025. A lot of Cowboys fans probably want Pickens to be more than a one-year rental, but those hopes took a big hit on Monday afternoon when the New York Jets and Garrett Wilson agreed to terms on a lucrative extension. It’s a four-year, $130 million extension that includes $90 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It gives Wilson a whopping $32.5 million per year, which makes him the fourth highest-paid WR in terms of annual average value. Jet’s Garrett Wilson extension complicates Cowboys’ hopes of re-signing George Pickens This obviously complicates Pickens’ upcoming free agency. Pickens and Wilson were both drafted in 2022, and while Pickens has not produced to Wilson’s level, he will command a king’s ransom if he reaches the open market. Considering that the Cowboys still have not extended and have Tyler Smith and DaRon Bland, both of whom are entering the final year of their rookie deals, it is hard to envision a world in which Dallas signs Pickens before the end of the season. The market could inflate even more if other WRs sign new deals. That includes the Falcons’ Drake London, who was the No. 8 overall pick in 2022, and the Lions’ Jameson Williams, who was the No. 12 pick that year. Commanders star Terry McLaurin is currently staging a holdout as he awaits an extension. 4 reasons why the Cowboys should extend Jake Ferguson before the start of the season – Dan Rogers, Blogging The Boys The Cowboys have other contract issues at hand. The Cowboys don’t have other quality options The team thought they were getting a stud tight end when they took Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Two years later, we can see that’s clearly not the case. No offense to Schoonmaker, he just hasn’t manifested into the player they were hoping for at this point in his career. Maybe it’s coming. The Cowboys also have a talented undrafted free agent from a year ago in Brevyn Spann-Ford. He had a solid rookie season and is primed to take on a larger role this year, especially with a new coaching staff that

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 52) with some Cowboys history We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football. Today – number 52. Calvin Hill Born: January 2, 1947. Baltimore, MarylandPosition: Running back Dallas Cowboys: 1969-1974 Awards: Super Bowl champion- VINFL Offensive Rookie of the Year- 1969All-Pro- 1969, 1973Pro Bowl– 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974 Photo by Shelly Katz /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Calvin Hill played running back for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1974, becoming the team’s first-ever 1,000-yard rusher and a key offensive contributor during the early years of the franchise’s success. Drafted in the first round out of Yale, Hill broke stereotypes about Ivy League players and quickly proved himself as a tough, versatile back with both power and speed. He was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cowboys and helped lead the team to Super Bowl VI, where they secured their first championship. ✭ January 1970 – Sport Magazine – Calvin Hill #70sCowboys #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/yAXV7KAyEK — Dallas Cowboys Old School (@CowboysOld) January 8, 2023 Best known for:Hill was best known for being the first true star running back in Cowboys history, setting the standard for future backs with multiple 1,000-yard seasons and helping Dallas emerge as a championship contender in the 1970s. #Cowboys rookie RB rushing leaders: Ezekiel Elliott: 1631Tony Dorsett: 1007Calvin Hill: 942Emmitt Smith: 937DeMarco Murray: 897Julius Jones: 819Duane Thomas: 803Hershel Walker: 737Marion Barber: 538Tashard Choice: 472 Will Jaydon Blue/Phil Mafah make the list in 2025? pic.twitter.com/4pMQs0OjbB — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 27, 2025 Lesser known fact:After retiring, Hill became one of the NFL’s early advocates for player mental health and development, serving in advisory roles focusing on mentoring younger and troubled players. ✭ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ✭ With 100 days to go until the #Cowboys kickoff the season against the #Eagles, we are counting down with a @BloggingTheBoys Top-100 consensus ranking. We asked staffers to give in their top-100, here is: DAY 52Calvin Hill #DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/2of2YOBXPV — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 14, 2025

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images There are several players who fit the “jenga piece” criteria for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys. An idea that interests me when talking about professional football teams and their rosters is figuring out who are the jenga pieces. This idea served as our discussion prompt here at BTB last Thursday. In case you missed that or are unaware of what a jenga piece is, here is the 101. A popular board game (for lack of a better term) is Jenga. The rules of the game are that you have to stack wooden blocks and build as tall of a tower as you can. Once you use all of the blocks you have to remove pieces from the tower you have constructed to build your tower even higher. The trick is that you have to remove pieces carefully and ultimately make the right decision as to which ones you do want to remove so that the tower does not come tumbling down. Relative to a football roster, we are on the hunt for which Dallas Cowboys players are the critical ones within the structure of the tower. We are talking about the players whom without the whole thing would tumble down. To be clear we are establishing right now that the position of quarterback is uniquely important and that without it the tower does not exist, so we are talking about non-quarterback options. In terms of the 2025 version of the Dallas Cowboys there are five names that stand out. Tyler Guyton Ultimately the answer is probably one of two people and that you can sway me in either direction depending on the day or moment. One of these two is second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton. It makes sense to not panic over Guyton’s lack of an All-Pro first year in the NFL. For so long we were spoiled by the likes of Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin that we forgot what normal was like for even really, really good offensive line prospects. It takes time, generally speaking, to adjust to the professional level. Understanding this, so much hinges on Guyton being the guy at left tackle in 2025. We are way past the point of considering Tyler Smith for that spot so this is sort of a situation where it is either going to work or not and the latter is not an option that we want to learn the outcome of. Given that Guyton is charged with protecting Dak Prescott’s blind spot he holds an extreme level of importance. He is a foundational member to the team and so much of what they are going to do rests upon his shoulders. CeeDee Lamb This is the other top option and both feel a little bit like cheating since they are extensions to and insurances around the play of the quarterback. Such is life for a team’s left tackle and top pass-catching option. We have said forever and ever how the Cowboys not having a proper second wideout has hindered the offense (more on that in a bit). While that is true, without their top receiving option they would be up a proverbial creek. For the most part Lamb has been available for the Cowboys since they drafted him (we are somehow entering year six with him on the team) and so we haven’t quite had to learn what life without his services is like. Can you imagine? Obviously you don’t want to and thankfully after last year’s extension drama we don’t have to. But without doing so we all understand how supremely important Lamb is to what this team is looking to accomplish. Micah Parsons You can file this under Duh with a capital D. Micah Parsons it the best player on the Cowboys roster so without him they are nowhere near as good. If the team were ever in a situation where his future was even mildly up in the air, say with contract stuff, that they probably would want to take care of that as soon as possible. Thankfully that is not the case oops. Oops. The reason that Parsons is a bit lower on my list is because he missed time last year, and while the team obviously was not as good without him, they did not totally fall apart. We can attribute this to a variety of things, but the main one is likely that today’s NFL is an offense-driven league and therefore your offensive superstars carry a little more worth in the terms of the discussion that we are having. To be clear this is in no way to say that Parsons isn’t as valuable, or more valuable, than any one player. It’s just that he missed time last year and that the wheels did not fall off so that makes this conversation in this moment seem strange. Don’t get it twisted, though. Micah Parsons is essential. Now and always. Pay the man. DaRon Bland The situation at cornerback makes a player from this group an obvious pick. Trevon Diggs is regarded as the top corner on the team, but DaRon Bland is more of a jenga piece in this exercise. Consider that we have some questions about Diggs at the moment. Will he be healthy? If so for how long? What is the future like for him with this team? There are some clouds there. This exacerbates the importance of DaRon Bland. Another way to put this is that he has the highest floor of any corner on the team, and while there are other players who can raise it like if Kaiir Elam hits or Shavon Revel plays himself and is solid, the reality is that Bland is needed and sorely so. Brandon Aubrey In looking at the comments from our discussion prompt there were a number of people who suggested kicker Brandon Aubrey. I thought about George Pickens for this spot but that just felt like repeating CeeDee Lamb. Kicking plays a larger role

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Do you think there are any players the Cowboys should consider trading? It feels like only yesterday when the Dallas Cowboys‘ war room was excited about the selection of Mississippi edge rusher Sam Williams. The 56th overall pick in 2022, Williams was an exciting pass-rushing prospect. He was a missile off the line of scrimmage. His ability to bend and accelerate to the quarterback made him an intriguing player that the team added to their defensive end arsenal. Over his first two years in the league, Williams was buried behind a very deep Cowboys edge-rushing unit. He finished with the fifth-most defensive end snap counts in both 2022 and 2023. That’s because Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were the bread and butter of the edge attack force. At the same time, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler were productive veteran defensive linemen who had no intention of stepping aside for this young buck. Despite being on the shorter end of playing time, Williams made the most of his opportunities. He had 10 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles in his rookie season, where he finished fifth in voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year. There was no shortage of splash plays where he was found sacking quarterbacks or bodyslamming ball carriers in the backfield. “Slam” Williams was a real thing. Sadly, the moment a great opportunity presented itself, Williams wasn’t around to take advantage. After Armstrong and Fowler left for Washington in free agency last year, the table was set for Williams to have his breakout season. Unfortunately, a knee injury in training camp ended his season before it even started. Williams’ recovery is going well, and he is expected to be 100% entering training camp. That’s great news for a guy who is entering a contract season as he is in the final year of his four-year rookie deal. If there is a time to shine, that time is now. While his health is better, the young pass-rusher enters an all too familiar situation where he finds himself once again in a crowded position group. Guys like Lawrence and Chauncey Golston left in free agency this year, but the team has reloaded over the last 15 months. Starting with back-to-back seasons where the team selected edge rushers Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku, suddenly the team has a couple of young players whom they’ll want to give playing time to. The Cowboys also addressed the position in free agency this spring before Ezeiruaku fell into their lap in the second round of the draft. The team signed two former first-round picks in free agency, Dante Fowler and Payton Turner. The addition of Fowler is particularly worth noting as he is coming off a double-digit sack season and should be a key member of the Cowboys’ edge-rushing rotation. Last season, the Cowboys were hit hard with injuries along the edge, forcing them to reach deep, relying on players like Golston and Carl Lawson. This year, they are stacked with talent, which poses the question: What does it all mean for Williams? As it stands now, it’s going to be difficult for the team to find enough playing time for all their edge rushers. Kneeland is entering year two, and he should see the field plenty as he’s one of the better run-stopping defensive ends. Fowler is the team’s fiercest sub-package pass-rushing option, so his role should be well-defined. Williams could slide in as DE#4 in a best-case scenario, but what happens if either the rookie Ezeiruaku or the free agent Turner starts turning heads? Even with keeping a safety-net depth surplus of players, the team could find itself a little saturated at the position group if one of these new guys is showing out. Training camp will provide more data, but if the Cowboys are in a situation where they are six players deep at defensive end with no ability to give everyone adequate playing time, they should look into reallocating their resources. Imagine a healthy Williams on full display in preseason games against third-string offensive tackles. What kind of buzz could that generate? Could they flip him for a player who could provide them a greater service at another position? Or possibly help replenish next year’s draft capital? With a deep group filled with many young homegrown players, Williams could be the odd man out. Other factors might come into play as well. Does he have the strength to help against the run, or is he just a one-trick pony? Does he approach the game the right way for the new coaching staff, whether it’s character, mental processing, or overall effort? These are legit questions that will reveal themselves soon enough, but there’s a range of outcomes that could find Williams on the trading block as final roster cuts approach.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Do you think Micah Parsons will win his first DPOY in 2025? When it comes to awards in the NFL there is some narrative involved. This has to be understood. People have noted this in the past with figures like Bill Belichick or LeBron James. You can argue that Belichick was “Coach of the Year” on many more occasions than he actually won it and the same with LeBron and MVP in the NBA. The narrative requires that it sometimes moves around, though. This is an important distinction at the moment for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. Entering the 2025 season there are several active players who have won it in Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt and most recently Patrick Surtain II. Surtain was the first cornerback to win it since Stephon Gilmore and only the second to do so in the last 15 years. It is generally (again, narrative matters) an award that goes to pass rushers. With the game’s top ones having one the next part of the conversation is which ones near that top level don’t have one to their name. The most logical names to consider in this respect are Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson and Maxx Crosby. This isn’t to say that one of them is a lock to win it, but you get the point. “Doing the math” suggests that Parsons has a very strong chance to win it this year. Do you think that will happen? No one is asking you to predict the future, but based on the narrative, is this finally the year? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Notable headlines surrounding America’s team. 2 Cowboys predicted as 2025 season award winners – Mario Herrera Jr, Inside The Star 2025 has the potential to be a big year. Dak Prescott: Comeback Player of the Year After an injury-riddled and inconsistent 2024 campaign, Dak Prescott enters 2025 with a clean bill of health and a lot to prove. The Cowboys’ veteran signal-caller is in prime position to recapture his Pro Bowl form, loading up for a season that will remind fans and critics alike why Dak was once considered one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Under new HC Brian Schottenheimer and a retooled offensive line offering better protection for Prescott to throw to weapons like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and TE Jake Ferguson, he is set up for efficiency and production. Dak’s strong leadership and internal motivation, fueled by constant media scrutiny, are driving forces behind what could be a 4,000+ yard, 30+ touchdown season. The “comeback” label isn’t just about physical recovery. It’s about narrative redemption. If Prescott can lead the Cowboys back to double-digit wins and a postseason berth, Kahan believes the award will be his to lose. Titans head coach says what Cowboys fans already knew about Tony Pollard- Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat It seems Jerry made the correct move. Cowboys already vindicated for not extending Tony Pollard in 2024 Callahan’s vision for the Titans’ backfield proves he doesn’t view Pollard as a workhorse. That became evident in Pollard’s final season with the Cowboys in 2023. A fourth-round pick in 2019, Pollard’s most efficient seasons came when he operated in a committee with Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard averaged 5.5 and 5.2 yards per carry in 2021 and 2022, respectively. While he logged 193 carries in 2022, Elliott still led the charge with 213 carries. While Pollard was potentially hampered by offseason ankle surgery for the first half of the 2023 season, his efficiency plummeted to 4.0 yards per carry. In addition, his 2.92 yards after contact per attempt was comfortably the worst of his career and he produced 10 fewer explosive runs relative to 2022 on 58 fewer carries, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). It’s no wonder Callahan wants to get Tyjae Spears more involved. A third-round pick in 2023, Spears was limited to five games last season due to injuries. Despite being in and out of the lineup, Spears carries a lot of momentum into 2025 after he scored four TDs in the final three games last season. Cowboys’ third-round pick nominated as ‘surprise’ breakout rookie- Tyler Reed, Sports Illustrated It would go a long way in helping Dallas. “The team was ecstatic to see Revel fall to the second round in April’s draft, but didn’t pull the trigger. Somehow he made it to the third round. With Dallas clearly looking to end their investment in Trevon Diggs, Revel will be given every possible chance to prove he’s a capable boundary corner once he’s given the green light following his ACL recovery that might delay his debut until October. Once he makes it to the field though, fans shouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of the better rookie DBs in the game,” writes Drummond. Revel battled injuries for the majority of his college career. However, his junior season at East Carolina proved that the potential is there for Revel to be a physical addition to the Cowboys’ secondary. Did Cowboys waste $7.5 million in acquiring this former 1st-round pick?- K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire Only time will tell. Profile The Cowboys already have a star linebacker; DeMarvion Overshown just can’t stay on the field. The former Texas Longhorn is a heat-seeking missle, capable of sideline-to-sideline pursuit and rushing the QB. But with his 2025 debut date up in the air due to a second ACL injury, the club had to bring in some help. Along with Overshown’s injury, the team’s leading 2024 tackler Eric Kendricks was seen as a perfect fit for Mike Zimmer’s group, but apparently wasn’t of interest to Eberflus. Dallas swapped inconsequential Day 3 picks with Tennessee to bring in Murray, who played just one season for the Titans. The cost was more financial, as he’s set to count $7.4 million against Dallas’ 2025 cap due to $6 million in base salary and $1.5 million in bonus money. Dallas also signed LB Jack Sanborn as a free agent, and there’s a strong possibility he is given the authority of starting middle linebacker that will allow Murray to be in more a outside backer role. Countdown to the season opener: Day 53 DeMarcus Lawrence- Mike Poland, Blogging The Boys The season inches closer. DeMarcus Lawrence Born: April 28, 1992. Aiken, South Carolina Position: Defensive End Dallas Cowboys: 2014-2024 Awards: All-Pro- 2017 Pro Bowl– 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 DeMarcus Lawrence played defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys from 2014 until 2024, after being selected in the second round out of Boise State. Known for his explosive first step, powerful hands, and relentless motor, Lawrence developed into one of the league’s premier edge rushers. He broke out in 2017 with 14.5 sacks, earning All-Pro honors and multiple Pro Bowl selections. A leader on and off the field, Lawrence anchored Dallas’s defensive front for years, contributing as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. Best known for: Lawrence is best known for being the emotional and physical leader of the Cowboys’ defense, consistently applying pressure on quarterbacks while setting the edge against the run with equal effectiveness.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The latest news from around the division. Eagles OT Lane Johnson ahead of Year 13: I feel ‘young in heart, but can’t ignore Father Time’ – Nick Shook, NFL.com Philadelphia’s cornerstone lineman knows he can’t play forever. Lane Johnson knows he’s on the back nine of his career, but after signing a one-year extension that keeps him with the Eagles through 2027, he’s not considering walking away just yet. By the time that contract expires, Johnson will be tied with a teammate who recently retired — edge rusher Brandon Graham — as the longest-tenured Eagle in franchise history. Johnson doesn’t take such an honor lightly, but also knows he isn’t an ageless marvel. “Yeah, if there’s anybody to end a tie with it would be BG. It’s crazy that we had a number of guys who all stayed together for all these years,” Johnson, 35, said during an appearance on Good Morning Football Wednesday. “Yeah, it doesn’t feel like No. 13 but here it is. I still feel young in heart, but you can’t ignore Father Time. I’m still having fun and enjoying what I do. I love being around the guys, competing and it’s just something that I really love doing every minute of it.” Johnson’s career has included two Super Bowl triumphs, three head coaches, an assortment of offensive coordinators and one offensive line coach: Jeff Stoutland. The latter is a key reason Johnson keeps returning to the team and continuing a career that will undoubtedly land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Another reason for Johnson sticking around is Philadelphia’s success under Nick Sirianni, a coach who has guided the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances in three years and one lopsided triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs in February. With that win still fresh in Johnson’s mind and a ring ceremony awaiting him later this month, Johnson has plenty of reason to proceed. His performance makes it difficult for him to walk away, too. Johnson finished 2024 as the seventh-best tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, and remains an essential part of the Eagles’ offensive identity. Giants Legend Eli Manning Out on Ownership Stake: ‘It’s Too Expensive For Me’ – Fox Sports Possible conflicts and price prevented Manning from making the purchase. In February, the New York Giants announced that they were exploring a sale of a non-controlling, minority stake in the franchise, with former team quarterback Eli Manning among the initial names mentioned as a potential suitor. However, one can now erase Manning from the buyers’ list. “Basically, it’s too expensive for me,” Manning said about purchasing a stake in the Giants in an interview with CNBC Sport. “These numbers are getting very big … a 1% stake in something valued at $10 billion, it turns into a very big number. I love the Giants, and I think it is deserving of that valuation. There will be people that want to go for it, and I was kind of along for the ride. It really was a matter of just some complications with the fact that I’m doing broadcasting. I wouldn’t be able to talk to the players. I coach in the Pro Bowl. I do a high school football camp where college guys come. “There was going to be a lot of conflicts, and it was going to affect my day job, so I kind of had to pull out of the Giants deal, but still, obviously, I’m here and have access and still very involved in the Giants organization.” Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, who played his entire 15-year career with the Giants (1993-2007), with whom he won Super Bowl XLII, has also been a reported suitor to purchase a percentage of the available stake in the franchise. Washington Commanders reveal alternate uniforms that nod to their Super Bowl glory – Nate Davis, USA Today Washington unveiled semi-throback uniforms earlier this week. Hail to the … well, it’s apparently never going away. The Washington Commanders will sport a different but very familiar look in 2025 – heck, they looked a lot different in 2024 with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the controls – unveiling an alternate uniform for the upcoming season that will take their title-starved fans back to the Joe Gibbs glory years. What’s new is really old as the Commanders are set to wear what is basically the same look the team had while reaching four Super Bowls between the 1982 and ‘91 seasons, winning the Lombardi Trophy three times in that span. The burgundy pants, white jersey and burgundy helmet with the three stripes down the center will certainly evoke memories of Gibbs, John Riggins, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and many others. What’s missing will be the team’s former Indian head logo, replaced by the Commanders’ current “W” insignia. The announcement on social media used the phrase “Fit for Old D.C.,” a nod to the team’s fight song which urges the team to “fight for Old D.C.” Weaving past and present We’re adding back the Super Bowl Era threads to our uniform rotation pic.twitter.com/9nKrTYVABk — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 9, 2025 “We are excited to celebrate Washington’s incredible history with these iconic, Super Bowl Era uniforms this season,” team president Mark Clouse said in a statement. “Ever since Josh Harris and our ownership group acquired the team back in 2023, they’ve placed great value in finding ways to connect the past and present and honor those that made the burgundy and gold what it is today. These uniforms recognize the most successful era of our franchise – one that reflects a culture of excellence and encompasses many historical moments and special memories amongst our fanbase. Our coaches, players and the entire organization could not be more excited to celebrate our team’s legacy while creating new memories in these uniforms this season.”

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images The Cardinals are a team that have weirdly had the Cowboys’ number. Although the Arizona Cardinals have a young roster brimming with talented prospects, they have largely disappointed over the last few seasons. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has started his coaching career with a 12-22 record, but there is optimism that Gannon can guide the Cardinals out of a slump that has seen Arizona not win the NFC West since 2015. and not make the postseason since 2021. A large part of the issue has been the health of Kyler Murray, who has missed 18 out of 100 possible career starts. Yet, Murray may be turning a corner as he played in all 17 games in 2024. With Murray healthy and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. heading into his second NFL season, the Cardinals are shaping up to be better than their 8-9 mark a season ago. They also bolstered their roster by signing veterans Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Josh Sweat, providing Arizona with a mix of youth and experience. That said, there are a few players that could soar in 2025 and give the Cowboys a challenge in their Week 9 meeting. Trey Benson James Conner is an above-average running back and has been the Cardinals’ leading rusher for the last four seasons. However, Conner tends to pick up nagging injuries. Conner has never played a full season in his eight-year career. Therefore, having a viable backup runner is essential for the Cardinals, and they certainly do. Although Trey Benson played sparingly last year, he was very efficient as a rookie. Benson ran for 291 yards on 63 carries for an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. Benson has a thick build at 6’, 216 lbs. and has the strength to withstand contact and keep his legs churning. He also has terrific speed, as evidenced by his 4.39 forty-yard dash at the combine. Benson excels in many small areas and has yet to reach his full potential. His rookie numbers didn’t show it, but he’s also a capable receiver out of the backfield. If Benson is starting in place of Conner when they face the Cowboys, Benson has the potential to impact the game on all three downs and has the speed to take it the distance. Michael Wilson The Cardinals are heading into their third year under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, and in each of their last two seasons, their leading receiver has been tight end Trey McBride. While McBride is a very good option, the Cardinals need more production outside the numbers. Marvin Harrison Jr. had a solid rookie season with 885 yards, but there’s another receiver who Arizona is counting on to continue improving and could give the Cowboys problems. Michael Wilson isn’t necessarily an explosive athlete, but he’s got great hands to make difficult catches in traffic. He’s also very strong, so it makes it difficult to reroute him in press coverage. Although he doesn’t have top-end speed, he smoothly gets in and out of his cuts to create space between himself and the defender. Last season, Wilson was third on the Cardinals in receptions (47) and receiving yards (548). Wilson can also be a factor in the running game because of his willingness to block. Similar to Benson, he can do a lot of little things over 60 minutes of football that can contribute to wins. Will Johnson Will Johnson was arguably the best cornerback on the board in the draft, but because of medical concerns, he slid down to the 47th overall pick. Some teams may end up kicking themselves for letting the Michigan Wolverine defender slip through their hands. Now healthy, Johnson looks poised to earn a starting job coming out of training camp and line up on the boundary for the Cardinals. Johnson is a very polished prospect who has tremendous size with long arms. Johnson isn’t scheme dependent and is adept at playing in zone or man coverage, and is terrific at playing the football through the receiver. His instincts and burst out of his backpedal is very smooth and natural. If he gets his hands on the ball, he is likely to run it back for a score. Will Johnson just put this one out of reach. The star @UMichFootball DB returns the INT 8️⃣6️⃣ yards #B1GFootball on NBC pic.twitter.com/BL1khAkZHf — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 1, 2024 Despite playing in just six games last season, Johnson returned two interceptions for touchdowns. He is also a capable run defender and isn’t afraid to tackle on the perimeter on outside runs. However, scouting reports do say that because of his aggressive nature, he leaves himself open to getting caught on double moves. By the time these teams meet, Johnson could cement himself as one of the best rookies of the class. That said, he’ll have his hands full dealing with CeeDee Lamb, who is one of the most nuanced route runners in the game and can set him up with the same double moves Johnson struggles with.