Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 53) 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 53. DeMarcus Lawrence Born: April 28, 1992. Aiken, South CarolinaPosition: Defensive EndDallas Cowboys: 2014-2024Awards: All-Pro- 2017Pro Bowl– 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images 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. THATS LAW #Healthy pic.twitter.com/UxSNiSYPVI — DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) September 10, 2024 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. One day closer. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/KE4IV4rEB2 — DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) July 7, 2023 Lesser known fact:Before settling in as the leader on the Dallas defense, Lawrence gave coaches serious concern at the start of his career with limited production, a suspension, and injuries. His flashes in the playoffs against the Detroit Lions was enough to keep the coaches interested however.

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. Dak Prescott’s cheat code with George Pickens will have entire NFL terrified -Jared A’Latorre, The Landry Hat The George Pickens trade is poised to have opposing defenses in “deep” trouble. With all the negativity surrounding Dak Prescott in the media this offseason, he’s looking to make a statement to his resume, and in essence, his reputation by getting back stronger after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in 2024. The addition of George Pickens will only help the cause and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is a big believer in that. Even though Pickens became a distraction in the locker room and on the field, some of that probably had to do with the frustration of having to deal with a nonstop quarterback rotation. “Pickens has never had a high-end quarterback,” Florio said. “Have we finally reached the point where a Steelers receiver who was disgruntled in Pittsburgh actually goes elsewhere actually does better elsewhere than he did in Pittsburgh?” Dak Prescott and George Pickens could be the Cowboys’ next great duo There is no doubt about it: Pickens is primed for a career season, even operating as Prescott’s No. 2 target behind CeeDee Lamb. Prescott himself thinks that Pickens is a great fit in the offense. “Go turn on that guys tape, he’s getting separation, he’s got separation even when he’s not getting the ball at times and when he doesn’t have separation, he’s still making the catches,” Prescott said. “It’s not going to be hard, for me it’s about getting the ball near that guy and let him go be George Pickens.” Believe it or not, the Dallas Cowboys actually finished 11th in passing offensein 2024. With CeeDee Lamb’s back against the wall, the pressure of being WR1 led for him to end his season early due to a shoulder injury, and he already looked gimpy weeks prior. Turpin’s Legal Issues Hurt his Chances at WR3 – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside the Star Turpin’s off the field incident could hinder his chances at an expanded role. Just when it looked like the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason was finally free of distractions, trouble emerged in the form of an unexpected legal issue. In the early morning hours one June Sunday, wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin was arrested by the Allen Police Department and charged with two misdemeanors in Collin County. Any legal entanglement this close to training camp is far from ideal, especially for a player vying for a larger role in the offense. Turpin had entered the offseason as a dark horse candidate to claim the WR3 job behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, a role the Cowboys have yet to firmly fill. With a potential suspension now looming, Turpin’s arrest could severely hinder his ability to seize that opportunity. Minor Charges, Major Implications While Turpin’s charges are considered misdemeanors and not of the high-profile variety, the NFL’s personal conduct policy gives Commissioner Roger Goodell wide latitude in determining disciplinary action. Cowboys fans know all too well how that tends to go. Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games in 2017 despite never being charged with a crime. Rolando McClain, Randy Gregory, and even DeMarcus Lawrence all faced significant suspensions for infractions that many considered minor or first-time offenses. Whether justified or not, it’s clear that Cowboys players have historically found themselves on the receiving end of stricter-than-normal punishments. If Goodell decides to act quickly, even a 1-2 game suspension would have significant implications. The WR3 battle was expected to come down to who could build the most momentum early in camp and preseason. Missing valuable reps, and perhaps even Week 1, could put Turpin at a steep disadvantage. Outside Looking In With Turpin now facing uncertainty, the door opens for other young receivers to make their case. Jalen Tolbert is the most obvious candidate. A third-round pick in 2022, Tolbert has shown flashes but hasn’t yet cemented his spot in the rotation. With another offseason under his belt and George Pickens in the mix, this could be his chance to finally break through. Then there’s Jonathan Mingo, the 2023 second-rounder acquired in the offseason, who brings size, physicality, and untapped potential. Cowboys 1st-round pick has one season to avoid bust label, perhaps one training camp – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire Could it be now or never for Tyler Guyton. The Cowboys drafted USC right tackle Tyron Smith, a physical marvel, in 2011. Though they clearly took him at a spot in the NFL draft where they were going to move him to left tackle, then-head coach Jason Garrett, in his first full season at the helm, allowed veteran Doug Free to stay at left tackle and season Smith on the right side for a year. Tyler Guyton was not so fortunate. Drafted in Mike McCarthy’s lame-duck and eventually final season, the Oklahoma right tackle was moved to the left side. The veteran tackle in place, Terence Steele, had been playing on the left side and with no other options, Guyton was given a clear path to the left tackle slot. It didn’t go well. Guyton won the job, but had one of the worst tackle performances in the NFL last season, ranking 57th of 58 qualified tackles in Pro Football Focus grading. During the second half of the season, he was in an out of the lineup, benched both for injuries and performance. He’ll look to prove he’s better equipped to handle the NFL grind this offseason, as the new Cowboys coaching staff decided the best approach would be reassurance, not more pressure. Profile Instead of going out and signing a veteran swing tackle who could challenge Guyton to start the year, the Cowboys instead chose to not only stand pat, but allow the only veteran depth they had last year, Chuma Edoga, go unsigned. Behind Guyton, the only competition currenly is third-year pro Asim Richards. Cowboys training camp attendance was low last year, opportunity for bounce back-RJ

Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 54) 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 54. Herbert Scott Born: January 18, 1953. Virginia Beach, VirginiaPosition: Offensive Guard Dallas Cowboys: 1975-1984Awards: Super Bowl champion- XIIAll-Pro- 1980, 1981Pro Bowl– 1979, 1980, 1981 Herbert Scott played offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1984, after being drafted in the 13th round out of Virginia Union, a small D2 school. Despite his low draft status, Scott developed into one of the most dependable and powerful linemen of his era. He became a three-time Pro Bowler and was a key member of the offensive line that protected Roger Staubach and opened holes for legendary running backs like Tony Dorsett. Scott started in two Super Bowls, including the Cowboys’ victory in Super Bowl XII. Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images Best known for:Scott was best known for being a dominant and durable presence at left guard, anchoring the Cowboys’ offensive line during a stretch of consistent playoff success and earning multiple Pro Bowl honors. Lesser known fact:Scott was one of the original members of the Cowboys’ famed “Four Irishmen and a Scott” offensive line, a nickname that played off the surnames of the starting unit in the late 1970s, highlighting both their chemistry and dominance in the trenches during some of Dallas’s most successful seasons. Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Do you think George Pickens will be a Cowboy at this time next year? Trying to predict what will happen next offseason before this season is even played is a hard thing to do. So much can change over the course of a season. Injuries play a role, success of the team and the coaching staff matter, and individual achievement is also a factor. But we went ahead and asked you earlier this week what you thought would happen with George Pickens in 2026. The Cowboys essentially traded a third-round pick for the wide receiver, but also did not extend his contract, making 2025 the final year of his current contract and allowing him to be a free agent in 2026. Specifically, we asked if Pickens would be on the Cowboys roster in 2026. 48% of respondents said yes, while 52% said no. That’s a pretty even split of opinion, although a slight majority says it will be a one-year rental. So many factors play into this. Will Pickens have a big year in Dallas? Would that price him out of the Cowboys notoriously low budget for free agents? Can Dallas afford two premier WRs after already shelling out big money for CeeDee Lamb? Will the franchise tag come into play? Could Pickens just not fit with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense? Could his famous temper get in the way of his play? So many questions as we stand here on the brink of training camp for the 2025 season. Hit the comments and tell us how Pickens will do in 2025, and then what the Cowboys will do in the next offseason concerning Pickens. For betting odds and props for the upcoming NFL season, visits our friends at FanDuel.

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Dallas Cowboys training camp attendance will be interesting to watch this year. Attendance at training camp last year caused a stir last year. You may have forgotten, but shortly after the Dallas Cowboys began work in Oxnard last summer there were all sorts of takeaways and things said about the attendance to watch them. More specifically, it was about the lack of attendance. We are not gathered here today to re-litigate the way that this front office went about business last year because we have said it all many times and saw their brilliance on display in embarrassing fashion. There is zero doubt that their approach has been different this year and vibes around the proverbial water cooler are a bit more positive these days. But “vibes” were definitely off last year and that really showed. In a recent story for The Dallas Morning News, Joe Hoyt uncovered the exact attendance number for the team’s training camp in Oxnard last year (the Cowboys just renewed their agreement with Oxnard and will continue to train there through 2030 by the way). It was a meager 24,500 and for some added context Joe added the 2017 number which was north of 55,000. One note in the story: we discovered, via the City of Oxnard, that last year’s Cowboys training camp attendance was approximately 24,500 over 17 practices. For perspective: in 2017, the Cowboys had over 55,000 people attend training camp. https://t.co/DVStS0nRT1 — Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 10, 2025 It stands to reason, based on the vibes that we discussed a moment ago, that attendance will be higher this year. The Cowboys “actually tried” (to lump everything in a small phrase) this offseason and capped it all off by trading for George Pickens. Energy is around. Heck, energy exists. Those are serious steps forward from this time a year ago. Seeing these numbers together was quite eye-opening, though. For a little bit more perspective we pulled a story from 2018 here at BTB where we discussed training camp numbers being low relative to the previous season (the one Hoyt mentioned in 2017). Rounding up a bit, the Cowboys had 39,000 people attend the Oxnard portion of training camp in 2018. If you read our 2018 article we noted that part of the reason for this could be the “vibes” (to continue along these lines). Consider that at training camp in 2017 the Cowboys were coming off of a season in which they won 13 games, were the top seed in the conference and had this serious new nucleus of talent in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. A year later in 2018 they had just disappointed severely and morale was low, similar to how things were a year ago for the club. Nobody prioritizes leading the NFL in training camp attendance. But it is difficult to discern the exact catalyst for the change in disposition from the Cowboys as far as last year relative to this one. In a world of infinite possibilities, you could suggest the team saw how people reacted to their methods and changed them up. Obviously there are a number of other possibilities here. The Cowboys report to Oxnard in under two weeks so we will see soon enough just how many people are willing to sit under the sun to watch them practice. It won’t be hard to beat last year’s numbers so they likely will, but it will also be worth monitoring to see if the front office addresses attendance as a subject overall. You may have forgotten that when the team was pressed about fan apathy during their opening press conference at camp last year, they boasted about how they had the fastest season ticket renewal rate that they had ever experienced. Again, these things do not matter in terms of the ultimate goal. But they matter to somebody and that somebody may be the one who has a serious say towards the ultimate goal. We will be watching.

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images If history is any indicator the Cowboys game against the Broncos this year will be not fun. When Sean Payton took over as head coach of the Denver Broncos, you expected there would be an overhaul of the franchise. Yet, no one was exactly sure of the scale of the roster makeover that Payton would eventually oversee. First was the ousting of Russell Wilson after a very disappointing season under Payton after Denver had heavily invested a lot into Wilson. Payton shocked many when he drafted Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, with some thinking Payton reached for the Oregon quarterback. Turns out Sean Payton still knows a thing or two, as Nix and Payton guided the Broncos to a playoff berth in Nix’s rookie season. With Nix and several other young prospects, the youth movement in Denver has taken full effect. Despite their success, Denver is one of the most overlooked playoff teams entering the season and unpredictable for what they’ll do for an encore in 2025. Here are a few X-factors who can determine the game when the Cowboys ride into Denver. Devaughn Vele The term “youth” can be used loosely concerning Devaughn Vele. Vele was drafted in the seventh round of last year’s draft and joined the Broncos as a 26-year-old rookie. However, he demonstrated good route running and very sticky hands in his first season in the NFL. Vele was Denver’s third-leading receiver with 475 yards and a catch rate of 74.5 percent on 55 targets. Vele is a big receiver at 6’5” and although not used as a deep threat often, runs a 4.47 40-yard dash. The majority of his snaps came from the slot, playing 61.6% of his snaps in that spot. However, Vele won’t offer much after receptions; he has only averaged 3.1 yards after the catch. Still, when you look at Denver’s other receiving options: Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram, Marvin Mims, it’s easy to overlook Vele. Dallas cannot afford to make that mistake. RJ Harvey One of the more unpredictable aspects about the Broncos last season was the snap distribution from their running backs. One week, the lead runner was Audric Estime, another week, Javonte Williams, who is now with the Cowboys, or a combination of both, with some Jaleel McLaughlin mixed in. This season, it seems to be clearer who the top dog is in the Broncos’ backfield. No, it’s not J.K. Dobbins, who had a very good campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers, going for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, but rookie RJ Harvey. Harvey does so many things well that he is a terrific option on all three downs. He’s got a lot of wiggle in his game, making him hard to bring to the ground in the open field. Although he’s only 5’8”, his low center of gravity gives defenders a small strike zone to hit him and he sheds would-be tacklers regularly. Harvey and his 4.4 speed are a threat to hit a home run, but he also won’t shy away from contact. Harvey can do enough damage to give the Cowboys fits. Brandon Jones Needing to replace veterans Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, Denver hit it out of the park with signing Brandon Jones to a sizable three-year, $20M contract despite Jones being a relative unknown over his first four professional seasons with the Miami Dolphins. After his first year in Denver, Jones is looking like a steal for the Broncos. In 2024, Jones set career-highs in tackles (115), interceptions (3), and passes defended (10). Per PFF, Jones earned an overall grade of 86.7, which ranked him fifth among 171 qualifying safeties last season. Furthermore, Jones had a coverage grade of 89.8, which ranked third in the league. Jones’ instincts allow him to excel in Vance Joseph’s defense, and he is very good at playing the single-high safety despite not being an explosive athlete at the position. The Broncos are so loaded with defensive talent in their secondary because of names like Patrick Surtain II, Jahdae Barron and Talanoa Hufanga, but Jones holds his own. The Broncos have had Dak Prescott’s number in his two meetings against him, forcing Prescott into a pedestrian 70.9 quarterback rating and four touchdowns versus three interceptions. If Prescott is to buck that trend, it should start with accounting for where Jones is on passing downs.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here. 6) Who Makes Biggest Year-2 Jump? – Staff, DallasCowboys.com The Cowboys have several players who could achieve this. 6) Who Makes Biggest Year-2 Jump? Mickey: My guess is last year’s first of two third round selections Cooper Beebe. While Beebe was solid earning the starting center role as a rookie, remember he was making the transition from playing guard at Kansas State throughout his career to playing center fulltime for the first time and at the NFL level, no less. Sure, he held his own in the middle, but the experience of starting 16 of the 16 games he played in 2024 becomes hugely beneficial. Better recognizing defensive fronts and anticipating movements to better aid him making complicated line adjustments. And guarantee you having worked in the Cowboys strength and conditioning program for the past four months will create a much stronger center taking on those behemoth nose tackles littering the NFC East. Nick: I have a feeling the guy who is going to make the biggest leap is linebacker Marist Liufau. The Cowboys have added a pair of veterans in Murray and Sanborn but Liufau had a solid rookie year and could be ready to take a huge leap. Let’s not forget how linebackers have always thrived in Eberflus’ system and who is to say Liufau won’t be the next one. He’s got speed and quickness that is unmatched and when he gets to the ball carrier, he delivers quite a pop. Last year, he was still finding his way but something tells me Liufau is ready for a big jump this year. Mina Kimes expresses optimism for Dallas Cowboys’ run game in 2025 – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated Dallas is not going anywhere this season if their running game doesn’t improve. On her latest episode of The Mina Kimes Show, Kimes spoke with former NFL offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse about the Dallas ground game. Both expressed optimism despite the lack of a franchise back. Kimes said her optimism about the run game stems from the passing attack, since defenses won’t be comfortable covering CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens one-on-one. She says that this will lead to a lot of light boxes, which will allow their backs to make plays. Could Dallas improve at running the ball this year? The offense is likely to face a ton of light boxes—and both @mnewhouse73 and I are intrigued by the Klayton Adams hire. NFC East preview pod : https://t.co/sbRoJYgLbq : https://t.co/wPS7KyByKs pic.twitter.com/CGz8fhzUDY — Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 11, 2025 “That run game, to me, being better depends on a few things happening. The young offensive line has to take another step, but there’s continuity there, right? Like a lot of these guys got reps last year. I love that. Guyton, Beebe, you know like they played together. The young backs, Jaydon Blue is undersized, home run hitter, a little bit of a fumbling problem in college. But as kind of the Tony Pollard role, I do like it. Javonte Williams is the guy I’m hoping can look a little bit more like he did at the beginning of his career, where he was really tackle-breaking, punishing, bell-cow back.” Cowboys Depth Chart: Could a veteran safety be a surprise training camp cut? – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram The young talent in the safety room and contract situations may force this. SAFE (3) Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell The arrival of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus reunites Malik Hooker with the coach that solidified his starting status in the NFL during their time with the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2020. With two years left on his deal, Hooker can go ahead and be Sharpied in as the projected starter at free safety. As for the other safety spot, that’s where things start to get interesting. Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell have each earned and kept roster spots because of their special teams prowess, and it could lead to a starting opportunity with a strong performance at training camp. Thomas enters a contract year with added motivation, and Bell is fresh off signing a three-year deal in free agency to return to Dallas. ON THE BUBBLE (2) Donovan Wilson, Alijah Clark Despite being one of the longest tenured players on the team and a mainstay in the defensive backfield over the last six seasons, Donovan Wilson has young players gunning for his spot in 2025. Entering a contract year, the Cowboys could decide to cut ties with Wilson and save $7 million in cap space going into the season. After an offseason cleanup surgery in his knee kept him out for most of OTAs and minicamp, Wilson will need to hit the ground running in training camp to thwart off competition quickly closing in behind him. Typically when evaluating which undrafted rookies have the best shot at making a roster, it’s a good practice to chase the money. In each of the last three seasons, the undrafted rookie with the most guaranteed money at signing ended up making the 53-man roster in year one (Markquese Bell, Hunter Luepke, Brevyn Spann-Ford). In 2025, that streak is in the hands of Alijah Clark. After earning a reputation as a tackling machine at Syracuse, Clark signed with the Cowboys and quickly saw some brief work with the first-team unit during minicamp while Wilson was sidelined. What will be the biggest Cowboys storylines during training camp – Shane Taylor, Inside The Star There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the Cowboys. Brian Schottenheimer The first look at Brain Schottenheimer is the first thing that is going to be on my mind. We all know he was hand-picked by not only the front office, but Dak Prescott and the rest of the offensive guys, who probably did not want to leave an entire new system yet again. Over the summer months, we have seen the players buy into the vibes

Photo by Shelly Katz /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 55) 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 55. Craig Morton Born: February 5, 1943. Flint, MichiganPosition: QuarterbackDallas Cowboys: 1965-1973Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Craig Morton played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1974, after being drafted fifth overall out of the University of California. Serving as both a backup and starter during his time in Dallas, Morton was known for his strong arm and poise under pressure. He led the Cowboys to Super Bowl V as the starting quarterback and was part of a long-standing quarterback controversy with Roger Staubach, which defined much of his tenure. Though eventually replaced by Staubach, Morton played a key role in the team’s rise to prominence during the late 1960s and early ’70s. ✭ QB Craig Morton and his receivers getting ready for the 1970 NFC playoffs. Left to right#88 Reggie Rucker, #24 Dennis Homan, #22 Bob Hayes, #87 Mike Ditka, #84 Pettis Norman. #70sCowboys #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/jFgoHCiJjW — Dallas Cowboys Old School (@CowboysOld) January 12, 2023 Best known for:Morton was best known for being the starting quarterback in Super Bowl V and for his decade-long role in the famous quarterback rivalry with Roger Staubach that shaped the early success of the Cowboys franchise. December 20, 1970#Cowboys #Oilers meet for the first time.Bob Hayes (6-187-4) catches 4 consecutive touchdowns Craig Morton 13-17-349-5-1Reggie Rucker scores his 1st TD (52 yards)Charlie Waters has 2 interceptions 52-10 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/BvdjwJPgfy — Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) June 4, 2023 Lesser known fact:Morton is the first quarterback in NFL history to start a Super Bowl for two different teams and to lose a Super Bowl to their former team. ✭ 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 54Craig Morton#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/lVuS3BE5Ai — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 11, 2025

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Do you think the Cowboys will take care of a Brandon Aubrey extension? Over the last two years no NFL kicker, and few others at any position, can claim to have handled their job better than Brandon Aubrey. The Dallas Cowboys’ sensation enters just his third season as arguably the best kicker in the game, and continuing that level of performance will be crucial for him in the final year of his contract. It’s an odd thing to talk about a third-year player who’s also 30 years old, but that’s all part of Aubrey’s unique NFL story. He gave up professional soccer in 2018, started working as a software engineer, but then got interested in playing American football. After a few years of working with a coach, he made it to the USFL and played two years there before the Cowboys brought him in. The rest is a short but spectacular history. Aubrey made his first 19 field goal attempts in 2023, setting a league record, and finished the year as the NFL scoring leader. He was a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie, Second-Team in 2024, and made the Pro Bowl both seasons. With multiple nods as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week or Month along the way, he’s become a big name at an often underappreciated position. With the ultimate combination of accuracy, distance, and clutch, Aubrey enters 2025 with very few peers. The one area where Aubrey doesn’t match his fellow kickers is his paycheck. He’ll make just $1.03 million in 2025, which is about $5 million less than other big names like the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker and the Eagles’ Jake Elliott. But this is the end of Aubrey’s original three-year contract he signed with Dallas, so with another elite season, he’ll rightfully expect fair compensation. Because he’ll only have three accrued seasons as an NFL veteran, Aubrey would only be a restricted free agent in 2026. The Cowboys may lowball him with the lowest RFA tender, currently projected at $3.45 million. If another team tries to swoop in, Dallas would have the right to match their contract offer. But then you’re allowing another front office to dictate the terms of that deal, and that’s not something Stephen Jones would be happy about. Aubrey’s age does make a long-term deal concerning. Kickers often suffer sudden, dramatic declines at a certain point. We saw that with Dan Bailey, who went from a legend to a liability with little warning. Once the body breaks down, the mechanics and confidence that made kickers great are very hard to maintain. So with Aubrey, who turns 31 next March, the Cowboys might be nervous about a multi-year commitment. One solution may be the second-round RFA tender, currently projected at $5.66 million. That would give Aubrey a significant raise, not far behind his fellow elites, while also keeping Dallas flexible in the future. If Aubrey is still automatic even after 2026, they could consider using the franchise tag. Next year’s tag for specialists is projected at $6.73 million, which would barely edge Aubrey over Butker for the highest single-year compensation. But if he’s still playing at his current level, Aubrey would be worth it. Figuring out how to keep the NFL’s best kicker is a great problem to have. If Brandon Aubrey is worthy of these things in the coming years, it means the Cowboys have enjoyed fantastic play from him along the way. The good news is that Dallas has plenty of ways to keep Aubrey while still protecting themselves from an age or injury-induced decline. It’s an unusual situation for a 30-year-old player, and one that the Cowboys should benefit from.

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images How nervous are you really about the Commanders this year? Seemingly overnight, the Washington Commanders turned their franchise around and became one of the most intriguing clubs in the NFL. Led by rookie quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels, Washington finished 2024 with a 12-5 record and a spot in the NFC Championship game, a game they hadn’t played in since the Joe Gibbs era. Following the sale of the team to new owner Josh Harris, the Commanders made swift changes that saw immediate dividends. First, Harris appointed Adam Peters, who previously worked with the San Francisco 49ers, to be his general manager. Upon taking the role as general manager, Peters hired Dan Quinn away from the Cowboys to be their head coach. Suddenly, Washington has emerged as stiff competition for the Cowboys alongside the Philadelphia Eagles. The scary part is, Washington is still largely an incomplete rebuild. There are a few components that can make them harder to contend with, or if they don’t work out for the Commanders, will stagnate the rebuild. Here are a few X-factors for the Commanders when they face the Cowboys this season. Deebo Samuel For as good as Jayden Daniels was as a rookie, throwing for almost 3,600 yards, he did it mostly with Terry McLaurin as his only notable wide receiver. Looking to further support Daniels with help, Washington traded a fifth-round draft pick for Deebo Samuel, reuniting him with Peters in Washington. Samuel is a dynamic threat doing damage as a receiver or a runner. In four meetings versus the Cowboys, Samuel has averaged 82.3 yards per game and 9.1 yards per touch versus Dallas. His best season as a pro came in 2021, when he had 1,772 yards from scrimmage. Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has a lot to work with in his backfield when you factor in the mobility of Daniels, the rugged running style of Brian Robinson, and Samuel as a dual option. That said, he’s not come close to achieving those same heights since, and as a receiver, he hasn’t eclipsed 900 receiving yards since 2021. If Dallas can manage to keep tabs on Samuel in the running game, their secondary should be equipped to contain this current iteration of Samuel as a pass catcher. Marshon Lattimore At last season’s trade deadline, Washington traded for Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a package of draft picks. The fifth-round pick offered by the Saints was later traded away to acquire Deebo Samuel. Unsurprisingly, Lattimore was elevated to the team’s top cornerback upon being activated by the Commanders. Unfortunately for Washington, Lattimore was in and out of the lineup for the Commanders following the trade because of a hamstring injury. There’s no denying Lattimore’s talent when he’s on the field. He’s ultra competitive and still has premier ball skills. However, the biggest question mark about Lattimore is staying healthy. If he is on the field, expect to see an exciting matchup between him and George Pickens. Both are among the most demonstrative players at their positions and Lattimore loves to try to get in his opponents heads with chippy play and trash talk. Pickens is a dog who will bark and bite back with the best of them. It’s going to be a battle at the catch point between Pickens and Lattimore. Josh Conerly For as great as Jayden Daniels is, Washington has to do a better job of keeping him upright. Last season, Washington allowed 50 sacks, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL. To remedy the situation, Washington drafted Josh Conerly out of Oregon with the 29th overall pick in the draft. Conerly tested extremely well at the scouting combine with a 10-yard split of 1.71 seconds and a vertical jump of 34.5 inches. Here’s what Peters had to say about Conerly after selecting him: “You look at the tape and you see what an incredible athlete he is for his size, which is backed up by a lot of his testing numbers, too,” Peters said. “But just really the way he moves. Just great feet, great lower body structure, great bend, and just super talented for a big man.” Conerly also held his own against the top edge rushers in the draft class last year, such as Abdul Carter. Against Carter and Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game, Conerly allowed zero pressures on 35 pass blocker snaps. From one elite Penn State edge rusher to another, Conerly now faces the “final boss” in Micah Parsons. His athletic skills and movement make for an interesting chess match between the rookie and Parsons. Parsons should give Conerly all he can handle, but it’ll be fun to see how he fares against Parsons and the many pass rushers Dallas can throw at him, that also includes fellow rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. While Conerly hasn’t been named the starter yet, one should expect him to overtake veteran Charles Wylie sometime over the summer at right tackle.