Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images It would be wise for the Cowboys to get a Micah Parsons deal done before T.J. Watt gets a new one himself. As we approach training camp, the one major question surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is Micah Parsons getting a new deal before the start of the season. This offseason has been filled with back-and-forth from Micah Parsons and the Jones’ in terms of negotiation through the media. Parsons has been on record multiple times asking Jerry and Stephen to “call his agent”, while the Jones’ joked they would deal with Parsons himself instead of his agent, who Jerry claimed not to know. The negotiations feel like they are at a standstill with both parties seeming comfortable waiting until sometime during training camp. It sure sounds like Parsons is looking to be the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL, which would put his average annual value at or around $40 million per year, eclipsing Myles Garrett’s four year, $160 million contract extension with the Browns signed earlier this year. One holdup here now is Pittsburgh Steeler’s edge rusher T.J. Watt. The latest #Steelers offer to T.J. Watt would make him the highest paid non-QB by APY but there is still a ways to go on getting the deal done. Expect a deal to get done closer to camp #HereWeGo #HappyCanadaDay pic.twitter.com/nnadVIm8A5 — Rickey (@SlickRickScoops) July 1, 2025 Watt is currently in a similar situation as Parsons, as he is currently under contract but not happy with his contract situation. According to Adam Schefter, teams have began reaching out to the Steelers to see if he is available on the trade market, but the Steeler’s have no intent of trading their star defender. Whether it is in Pittsburgh or in a new city, it sounds like Watt will also be looking to be paid in the same realm as Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase, and Maxx Crosby. In the end, that is bad news for the Cowboys and their salary cap, as waiting to “call Micah’s agent” may end up costing them quite a bit of money in the end. The Cowboys have struggled to get ahead of deals with their star players in the past, and it sure sounds like waiting on the Parsons’ deal will only hurt the Cowboys in the end.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images What do you think it will be like when the Cowboys play the Packers this season? In our last installment of the opponent X-Factor series, we covered the Chicago Bears and briefly mentioned how tough the NFC North has become. The Green Bay Packers are one of those tough teams in the division, and the Cowboys have seen that firsthand including the devastating postseason loss a couple years ago. The rivalry of two of the most historic franchises in NFL history will have yet another chapter when Dallas squares off against the Packers in Week 4. After going 11-6 in 2024, Green Bay is coming off their second consecutive playoff appearance. Yet, somehow Green Bay has a lot of players that are flying under the radar. Here are a few of the underrated players that could decide the matchup between the Packers and the Cowboys. Jayden Reed During the draft that was held in Green Bay, the hometown Packers selected Matthew Golden with their first-round pick. While Matthew Golden possesses plenty of speed and is one of the more high-profile rookies of the draft, Green Bay has another playmaking speedster receiver. Jayden Reed is a small receiver at just under 5’11” and 187 lbs., but he can fly. Over the last two seasons, he has been one of Green Bay’s most consistent threats in the passing game or running the football. Head coach Matt LaFleur likes to get creative and find unique ways to get the ball in Reed’s hands whether it be on wide receiver screens, sweeps, or end-arounds. Last season, Reed had over 1,000 yards on 95 touches from scrimmage. Reed offers some potential as a punt returner but isn’t a consistent threat to score on special teams. Per Player Profiler, Reed is number two in the NFL in separation per target, meaning he’s creating a lot of space between himself and the defender when passes are thrown his way. He led the Packers with 15 receiving plays of 20 yards or more. Reed does have issues with ball security and has fumbled five times over his first two years in the NFL. Yet, whoever mans the slot for the Cowboys this year needs to be ready to cover every blade of grass if assigned to Reed whether it be vertically or laterally. Tucker Kraft During the 2023 draft, the Packers selected two tight ends. Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft a round later in the third. Because Musgrave boasted such an impressive athletic profile, many assumed that Musgrave would be the lead tight end and Kraft would see the field to spell Musgrave. Over their last two seasons, it’s been the opposite. While Musgrave has battled injuries, Kraft has emerged as a reliable underneath target for quarterback Jordan Love, and in 2024, Kraft had a breakout season. He recorded 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. Kraft has a stocky build and is deceptively fast for somebody almost 260 lbs. He’s strong enough to break tackles and will make something happen after the catch. 64% (456 yards) of his receiving yards came after the catch. Look for Kraft to try to take advantage of the space between the linebackers and safeties on seams and intermediate crossing routes. Carrington Valentine Similar to the Cowboys, following the departure of a longtime veteran cornerback, the Packers are forced to promote from within. Earlier this offseason, the Packers parted ways with Jaire Alexander, who has since signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers are now tasked with finding a way to replace an All-Pro cornerback. It remains to be seen if they can get that type of production right away but Carrington Valentine is a pretty good start. Don’t let Valentine’s status as a seventh-round draft pick fool you. He’s got a nice set of tools to work with. First, he’s very fast. He ran a 4.4 forty-yard dash at the scouting combine and has 32-inch arms. He’s got fantastic instincts for the football and has totaled 14 passes defended over his first two NFL seasons. Carrington Valentine vs CeeDee Lamb.#Packers pic.twitter.com/uLxz1l7Dqo — Nile (@nileriverx2) April 26, 2024 As you can see for yourself, he was not intimidated by playing against CeeDee Lamb and fared pretty well during their meeting in the playoffs in 2023. Now, because of his inexperience, the Cowboys should be able to get the better of him on double moves and set him up for big plays downfield.

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 63) 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 63. Jethro Pugh Born: July 3, 1944. Windsor, North CarolinaPosition: Defensive tackleDallas Cowboys: 1965-1978Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI, XIIAll-Pro- 1968, 1973 Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images Jethro Pugh played defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1978, spending his entire 14-year NFL career with the team. A key member of the legendary “Doomsday Defense,” Pugh was known for his quickness off the line and ability to pressure the quarterback from the interior. Though often overshadowed by bigger-name teammates like Bob Lilly and Randy White, Pugh was remarkably consistent, recording 96.5 career sacks, and he started in two Super Bowl victories (VI and XII). He was a quiet anchor on one of the most dominant defenses of his era. BOTD Jethro Pugh#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/GMo0F9C1Gv — Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) July 3, 2023 Best known for:Pugh was best known for being a reliable and productive force on the Cowboys’ defensive line, helping them reach five Super Bowls and contributing to two championship teams. Longtime Staple of Doomsday Defense Jethro Pugh Passes Away At Age 70 http://t.co/tn5JXgauYH pic.twitter.com/e8pzGCGZUd — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 7, 2015 Lesser known fact:Pugh’s 96.5 career sacks still ranks sixth-most in Cowboys history, more than Bob Lilly, Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Lawrence. ✭ 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 63Jethro Pugh#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/3mnj3Yk9Kn — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 3, 2025

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images What is the weirdest Dallas Cowboys tradition that you have? When it comes to watching the Dallas Cowboys different people like to do different things. Some fans prefer to be left alone in solitude to observe what is happening. They need a safe space to vent or are bothered by other people intruding. Others prefer raucous environments and maybe even go to watch parties or host one themselves. The overall point is that there are a number of ways this all happens. Whether it is by way of how you watch, something you do as you watch or maybe something you wear, odds are you have a unique thing that you do while you watch the Dallas Cowboys play football. For today’s discussion we are interested in hearing what that is. Speaking personally, when I was a kid I had a set of mini helmets for every team in the NFL. I enjoyed taking the Cowboys helmet out and whoever they were playing that day and setting them up in front of the television to signify the matchup. What is your obscure Dallas Cowboys tradition? What is the story behind it? Let us know in the comments below!

Chris Jones-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Mailbag: Late-round rookies you want to see? – Tommy Yarrish & Mickey Spagnola, DallasCowboys.com A speedy running may be just what the Cowboys ordered with Jaydon Blue. Besides the top three draft picks, are there one or two other specific rookies you can’t wait to see in camp? Why? – Bryan Scott/Glen Rock, PA Mickey: Definitely running back Jaydon Blue, selected with the first of two fifth round draft picks. At the Texas Pro Day workout I attended, watched him go 4.28 in the 40. This guy has elite speed. Can’t wait to see him in training camp with the ball in his hands. Can you just imagine Blue at running back with the likes of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and KaVontae Turpin going three wide, with maybe Jake Ferguson running one of those seam routes up the guy. Hewy, if this was track, this would be some kind of 4x100m relay team right. Now at 5-9, 196, not sure Blue would be a 20-carry guy each game, but man spotting that kind of speed, and with the way he catches the ball out of the backfield, this rookie should be a huge bonus to this offense. Can’t wait to see him in pads. Tommy: I’m excited to see how Brian Schottenheimer and his staff want to use fifth round pick Jaydon Blue. I’ve covered Blue since his junior season at Klein Cain high school in the Houston area, and he’s always been incredibly explosive. At Texas, it was increasingly apparent that he could be a real mismatch and weapon out of the backfield in the receiving game, so I’m interested to see if the Cowboys look to do the same with him and if they can work on fixing his ball security issues from the past. Cowboys will be flirting with disaster if they start offseason trade addition – Matthew Schmidt, Sports Illustrated The jury is out on Kenneth Murray. The Dallas Cowboys made a veteran addition to their linebacking corps earlier this offseason, swinging a trade with the Tennessee Titans to acquire Kenneth Murray. Murray is expected to start for the Cowboys in Week 1, which could cause all sorts of problems for a Dallas defense that is aiming to bounce back from a miserable 2024 showing. A former first-round pick, Murray has definitely not lived up to expectations, which is why he is already on his third team since entering the NFL in 2020. On paper, his numbers look alright. He registered 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks with the Titans last season, and two years ago, he rattled off 107 tackles and three sacks with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, a deeper look into Murray’s production reveals that he is not exactly a positive contributor, especially in a major role. He logged a 45.9 overall grade at Pro Football Focus last season, coming in with a paltry 35.0 grade against the run. That ranked 185th out of 189 qualifying linebackers. It’s not like that was just a one-year thing for Murray, either. In 2023, he posted a 52.1 overall grade and a 48.2 mark against the run. Considering that the Cowboys were gashed for 137.1 rushing yards per game in 2024, which ranked 29th in the league, Murray’s history isn’t exactly comforting. The problem for Dallas, though, is that it may not have anywhere else to turn. The Cowboys don’t have any other proven option to man Murray’s spot, with 2024 third-round pick Marist Liufau probably representing the best alternative. Perhaps Dallas can attempt to swing another trade before the start of the regular season, but realistically speaking, it appears that the Cowboys are prepared to go all in with Murray, which could spell disaster for Dallas’ already shaky run defense. Rashod Bateman: Trade to Cowboys was a possibility, thankful it worked out with Ravens – Josh Alper, NBC Sports Turns out Dallas was looking to trade for another AFC North wide receiver. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman signed a three-year contract extension with the Ravens last month, but his return to the team for the 2025 season wasn’t a sure thing earlier in the offseason. A report in May said the Cowboys looked into trading for Bateman and Bateman confirmed that he was apprised of that interest. That report said the talks didn’t go far, but Bateman said “it was a possibility” that he would be on the move to Dallas before he and the Ravens pivoted to hammering out a new deal. Bateman said he’s “thankful” that General Manager Eric DeCosta was able to work things out. “That’s the first thing I told him: I don’t want to go anywhere else. ‘I know you’ve got a lot of stuff to work through and we’ll figure it out when we figure it out,’” Bateman said, via Jeff Zrebiec of TheAthletic.com. “It took time, but it takes time with a lot of people’s contracts. He had a lot of contracts to get done, and maybe more to get done in the future. To be a priority for him in that way is important. He shows he values me.” The Cowboys eventually looked elsewhere in the AFC North for receiver help and traded for George Pickens, so the Ravens won’t have to deal with him as they try for another division title later this year. Ranking offseason traded players in terms of situation: Can George Pickens succeed with Cowboys? – Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports How is Dallas’ trade for Pickens being viewed? With all the notable trades that occurred this offseason involving veteran players, which players will have the best fit with their new team? Basically, which player and team will get the most out of their acquisition. 6. George Pickens to Cowboys Pickens is a tremendous talent, yet it remains to be seen if he’ll be any more than that. He’ll be the No. 2 wide receiver in Dallas, a deep-ball wideout as CeeDee Lamb carves up

SetNumber: X23042 TK1 R12 F23 We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 64) 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 64 Pat Donovan Born: July 1, 1953. Helena, MontanaPosition: Offensive tackleDallas Cowboys: 1975-1983Awards: Super Bowl champion- XIIAll-Pro- 1981Pro Bowl– 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images Pat Donovan played offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1983 after being drafted in the fourth round out of Stanford. Initially starting as a defensive lineman, Donovan transitioned to offense after the team needed help to fill positions on the line. Thanks to the coaches past experience transitioning defensive linemen to the offensive line, Donovan quickly became a fixture at both right and left tackle and held the starting position for six seasons. Known for his athleticism and intelligence, he starred in four Pro Bowls and helped anchor the offensive line during an era when Dallas was a perennial Super Bowl contender. Donovan was a key protector for quarterbacks like Roger Staubach and Danny White, and he helped lead the Cowboys to a victory in Super Bowl XII. Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports Best known for:Donovan was best known for his durability and elite pass protection, starting 129 consecutive games and serving as a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line during their late ’70s and early ’80s success. Lesser known fact:Before his NFL career, Donovan was a state champion shot put and discus thrower in high school and once held the Oregon state record, showcasing the raw strength and athletic ability that would later define his trench play in Dallas.

Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At what point do you think Jaxson Dart will start for the Giants? 25 Questions in 25 Days: What we have learned about Jaxson Dart (so far) – John Schmeelk, Giants.com Revelations about New York’s newest QB. 22) What have we learned about QB Jaxson Dart since the Giants drafted him 25th overall? John Schmeelk: A lot, but maybe not in the ways some people might expect. While the coaches will have a great feel for how quickly he is learning the offense, there’s no way for anyone on the outside looking in, even someone like me who has watched every snap he has taken in practice, to have any real knowledge of how that process is going. The Ole Miss product has had your typical rookie quarterback ups and downs, but he does not look completely overwhelmed like some rookies do in their first spring. Physically, Dart’s arm is more than adequate to play well in the NFL. The touch he showed at Ole Miss has been apparent in practice. He has the ability to place very catchable balls over defenders. He is a good athlete, with the twitchiness to escape from pressure and the creativity to throw on the move. His competitiveness has also been obvious. What has really stood out for me has been his personality. After he finished his first in-person media availability during OTAs, I turned to Dan Salomone and Matt Citak and said, “He’s Captain Charisma.” Everyone raved about his personality, leadership skills and intangibles in college, and those have been apparent in how he has operated so far as a Giant. All in all, the player has matched the college scouting report. Nothing has really surprised me. Everything I thought about the player from his college tape and the reports of his personality have matched what I have seen in person. It’s a good start, but there is a long way to go. Eagles first-rounder Jihaad Campbell: No preference on position, just want to play football – Josh Alper, NBC Sports The passion to play holds precedent over position for Campbell. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said earlier this month that first-round pick Jihaad Campbell will begin practicing with the team in August when he’s cleared to return from shoulder surgery and he also offered a preview of where Campbell will fit into the team’s defense. Fangio said that Campbell will be lining up at inside linebacker next to Zach Baun while the team waits for Nakobe Dean to return from his knee injury. Fangio was also asked about the possibility of trying Campbell off the edge and said that was something that any thoughts of that would have to wait until Campbell was back on the field. In an interview with the Eagles’ website, Campbell said his only current goal is to make that return and that he’ll be happy to fill any role the Eagles have in mind. “That is for the coaches to decide, not me,” Campbell said. “I’m going to give it my all no matter how they decide to use me on the field. I feel like I’m a versatile player and I know I’m going to learn every day from the guys on this defense. It is going to be hard work. I know that. I want to be the best player I can be, help the defense, help the Eagles win games. That’s the role I want to have. As far as a position, nah. Let’s just play football.” The Eagles’ recent track record of drafting defensive players bodes well for Campbell’s chances of making a positive impact wherever he lines up in the unit. NFL insider reveals discouraging update on Commanders’ Terry McLaurin – David Harrison, USA Today No movement on McLaurin’s deal isn’t the most reassuring sign in Washington. We’re all pretty sure the Washington Commanders and receiver Terry McLaurin’s contract extension is a when, not an if, scenario. Still, every day that goes by, the panic meter goes up just a tick. Making one of his regular appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter fielded a question about the situation brewing inside the Commanders’ building, and offered an update that is more of a ‘no news is bad news’ scenario than anything. “There’s no update, which is the update, and that’s the problem,” Schefter said about McLaurin and his negotiations with Washington. “The problem is with this particular situation, I think Terry McLaurin is going to argue that we’ve seen other wide receivers, who his numbers are comparable to, like Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, and DK Metcalf, get paid over $30 million a year this offseason. And I think the Commanders then can say, ‘Yes, but Mike Evans, who also has had comparable numbers, is at $24 million.’ So there really is quite a difference, and a gap, between what both sides would want.” Many in the media have projected McLaurin’s extension to put him in the $30+ million range per year, so if the Commanders are trying to get him to take an Evans-like deal, then that could be where the hangup is, for sure. Of course, McLaurin’s team would also argue that Evans was 31 when he signed his current deal while he doesn’t hit 30 until this September. Also working against Washington in that argument is the presence of receiver Chris Godwin with the Buccaneers, who also took a deal in the $20 million range per year, but provides a bona fide second option when healthy to take coverage and pressure off of Evans. While Deebo Samuel is expected to provide some of that for McLaurin this season, it is yet to be proven that will pan out the way everyone believes it will, and even then, neither man is under contract beyond 2025, currently. Despite this non-update of an update, there is still little reason to be alarmed as Schefter himself also went on to

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Netflix has a new trailer for their Cowboys documentary and it features an infamous Jimmy Johnson moment. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s and the dynasty that they were, there are plenty of stories to go around. These stories have been told for many years at this point and some of them have grown a bit in legend. That is the way that these things tend to work. You have likely seen a documentary or film of some kind on the 90s Cowboys at this point given that their success happened almost 30 years ago. Odds are that you are also aware of a new documentary that Netflix has been working on which is set to be released on August 19th. “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” appears to be covering Jerry Jones’ purchase of the team and their rise to extreme prominence. On Monday a new trailer for the series was released and in it was one of those stories that has been told many times in the past. Jimmy Johnson, then the team’s head coach, is told by a player who has asthma that the player in question has the condition. Johnson proceeds to tell him to go have asthma on the “other” field, making the point that he does not have time for that relative to the work he was trying to do with the team at that moment. You can see the part in question at the 47-second mark. Experience the historic rise of one of the greatest teams in all of sports. AMERICA’S TEAM: THE GAMBLER AND HIS COWBOYS premieres August 19. pic.twitter.com/j7xvOMitNI — Netflix (@netflix) June 30, 2025 The next line in question comes from Michael Irvin. The Playmaker notes that Johnson made practices hell so that the games were heaven. If you know anything about the 90s Cowboys and Johnson’s methods, you know he instilled a serious sense of work in his team that he believed would translate to the field on Sundays. Given the results, it is hard to say he was not right. It is certainly exciting to potentially get a new look at teams and stories that we believe we know well. It goes without saying that we are all ready for new teams to forge their own paths so that documentaries can be made about them someday.

Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What four people would be on your Dallas Cowboys Mount Rushmore? We are in the biggest doldrum of the sports calendar with the NBA and NHL all wrapped up. Regular season baseball is great and right now Wimbledon is also going on, various golf events are occurring as well, but we are all counting down the days until the NFL and college football are back dominating our lives. A popular topic to kick around in this little spell is determining various Mount Rushmores. We can debate who belongs on what kind, but for the purposes of today’s discussion we want to know what four people would go on your Dallas Cowboys Mount Rushmore? These can be players or coaches or staffers or owners or whoever you want. You can make the determination off of who you think is or was the greatest, who was the most influential, or other criteria. The floor truly is yours. Let us know in the comments below!

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 65) 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 65. DeMarco Murray Born: February 12, 1988. Las Vegas, NevadaPosition: Running backDallas Cowboys: 2011-2014Awards: NFL Offensive Player of the Year- 2014All-Pro- 2014Pro Bowl– 2013, 2014, 2016NFL rushing yards leader – 2014NFL rushing TD leader – 2014 Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images DeMarco Murray played running back for the Dallas Cowboys from 2011 to 2014 after being selected in the third round out of Oklahoma. Known for his vision, patience, and balance, Murray emerged as one of the NFL’s premier backs behind the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line. His breakout came in 2014, when he led the league with 1,845 rushing yards, setting a franchise record for single-season rushing yards by overtaking Emmitt Smith, and helped Dallas reach the playoffs. That season earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection. DeMarco Murray’s league-leading 2014 season: 1,845 Rushing Yards 13 Rushing TDs OPOY pic.twitter.com/UUXWDeISZd — NFL (@NFL) June 3, 2025 Best known for:Murray was best known for his historic 2014 season, where he set the Cowboys’ single-season rushing record and carried the offense with consistent, physical play week after week. His run of eight consecutive 100-yard games broke Jim Brown’s record to start a season. DeMarco Murray with the 91-yard run pic.twitter.com/KeLebOB0I8 — NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) July 13, 2018 Lesser known fact:Despite his power-back reputation, Murray was a standout track athlete in high school, excelling in sprinting and relay events. This athleticism translated into his smooth, explosive running style on the football field. ✭ 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 65Demarco Murray#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/qbK8QHA6Es — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 1, 2025