Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images Family treatment is obviously very important to the Dallas Cowboys. Football is family. We have heard that over and over. It stands to reason that family is an important part of your football-enjoying experience, and if we have learned anything about the Dallas Cowboys organization over the last few years, then it is obviously important to them. Recall that the Cowboys ranked 10th in the NFLPA report cards that came out in February and received solid marks relative to treatment of families. We all care about the Cowboys having success on the football field, but if they are not treating the families of the players properly then it would likely bother you, me and all of us on some level. We want to root for people who are doing things the right way. Recently, ESPN looked a little bit more deeply at the treatment of families angle that the NFLPA report cards have dissected in the past. It is clear and evident that the Cowboys really want to make sure the families of their players feel valued. The Dallas Cowboys provide child care on game days, but the fun starts before that. The day before a Sunday game at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys host players’ families for lunch, bringing in things like ice cream trucks and coffee trucks. The Cowboys call it FIT, or family ice cream time, which allows “time for our significant others to be up here around each other,” Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele said. … After home games, Cowboys special teams ace C.J. Goodwin, the second-longest tenured Cowboy, knows where his family will be: the Landry Room. Named after the Cowboys Hall of Fame coach, it’s a private club area inside AT&T Stadium. Each player gets two free tickets to the area, which includes food, drinks and “anything you want.” Cowboys players rated the post-game family area 9.05 out of 10, ranking them second out of 32 teams. If you follow players on social media then you have likely seen them share photos from the Landry Room following games. Having a place to meet, gather and reflect on the game at hand is a good thing. It is obviously a lot more fun after a win. Beyond doing the right thing, being good people and all of that jazz, these types of things are also something that can go a long way in free agency. The Cowboys are fortunate to operate in a climate that makes living near the team facility a good option all year long. This isn’t necessarily something that happens with other teams. Players live elsewhere in the offseason. Having amenities like that, and caring for the families of the players, can help lure players who are available in free agency (if the Cowboys ever wanted to make a serious splash there, haha). At the very least it is nice to know that they are taken care of. Good for the Cowboys for getting that part of things right.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Which Cowboys linebacker are you most excited about? Whenever a team heads into training camp, some positions are more open than others. For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, linebacker is one where it’s not hard to predict who will make the official roster. That isn’t to say there won’t be any competition, but does make for a relatively small and uneventful roster bubble. This could change before we get to Oxnard, but right now Dallas has nine linebackers under contract. Of those nine, one will definitely not be participating in camp or even the first part of the schedule. DeMarvion Overshown’s major knee injury from December will keep him out until at least midway through 2025, if not the entire season. It’s a safe bet that he won’t count against the roster once we get into September, ending up on some kind of injury list. But whenever he’s healthy, Overshown is guaranteed to return to a prominent role. A few other guys are also sure to be on the roster. Marist Liufau, a third-round pick last year, is looking to build on a solid rookie campaign. Free agent addition Jack Sanborn spent the last three years in Matt Eberflus’ defense with the Bears and is expected to be a field general as it gets installed in Dallas. Veteran Kenneth Murray Jr., traded for last March, is projected for significant snaps as well and wore the green dot in offseason activities. Now is where the bubble really begins. And even then, one of these remaining guys may just be a placeholder until Overshown returns. But for however many additional LB spots Dallas has in 2025, here are the contenders. Damone Clark After starting all 17 games in 2023 due to injuries, the fourth-year prospect fell out of favor last year. He struggled in the transition to Mike Zimmer’s scheme and wound up far behind Overshown, Liufau, and Eric Kendricks in the rotation. Some are surprised he avoided being a salary cap casualty this offseason, but Dallas must still see value in him and have hopes for how he’ll perform under Eberflus. If nothing else, his experience makes him a worthy competitor in camp and insurance policy for depth. Shemar James A fifth-round rookie out of Florida, James is an athletic prospect who needs to improve his recognition and decision-making on the field. He is expected to challenge for special teams work right away, which is always a plus for guys trying to make it at the bottom of the depth chart. His draft status and a fresh four-year, inexpensive deal make for a solid tiebreaker against other prospects. Buddy Johnson Johnson was a core special teams player last year, trailing only C.J. Goodwin and Israel Mukuamu in total snaps. He actually played for Eberflus briefly in Chicago in 2023, joining them for training camp but getting injured that August. This is his second offseason in Dallas and the 26-year-old hopes to finally earn a role on defense. He was a fourth-round pick in 2021 by Pittsburgh, so perhaps there is still some potential that the new defensive staff can unlock. Darius Harris At 29 years old, Harris is going to be up against it with several younger prospects to contend with. But after going undrafted in 2019, he stuck around for four years with the Chiefs as a reserve linebacker before joining Dallas in 2024. He may not have played a big part in any of Kansas City’s championship wins, but that experience and his longevity so far indicate perceived value. We’ll see if it’s enough to get him another year with the Cowboys. Justin Barron One of this year’s undrafted free agents, Barron projects as a hybrid linebacker/safety in the same mold as Jayron Kearse and Markquese Bell. He moved from safety to linebacker at Syracuse and has nice size at 6’4” with athleticism to boot. It’s raw material, hence going undrafted, as he’s been knocked for his technique in run support. But if he can flash potential, those physical traits will keep coaches interested.

Who is your favorite non-Cowboys athlete in DFW? Odds are that you have a favorite member of the Dallas Cowboys. To be clear we are talking about the current day team. You certainly have a favorite player from the past, but even if your current day favorite doesn’t reach that level, the point is that you have one in all likelihood. We are curious about something here at BTB as we wander through the final doldrums of the offseason… who is your favorite non-Cowboys athlete in the DFW area? Your options to choose from obviously include the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and all of the other teams that occupy the area. Maybe you are not a fan of a team in the area besides the Cowboys, but maybe even then you still have a player who you prefer. So who is your player? And why? Let us know in the comments below so we can see!

Photo by Todd F. Michalek/Syracuse Athletics/University Images via Getty Images The latest news and notes around the Dallas Cowboys Which UDFA Can Make the Biggest Impact? – DallasCowboys.com Staff Writers The Dallas Cowboys have a history of undrafted free agents making an impact as early as year one. Kyle: For the better part of a decade, the Cowboys have found success in the UDFA class. This year seems like the lowest chance at striking yet, based purely on the small number of additions (nine) in the UDFA class. However, there’s a few names I keep coming back to, especially Justin Barron. Barron, a five-year letter winner with Syracuse where he played safety, nickel and finally linebacker to round out his career. He looked the part during his rookie offseason, showing up in the rotation at linebacker throughout minicamp and OTAs. He joins a thin position group but has some veteran leadership around him with Kenneth Murray Jr. and a former UDFA Jack Sanborn. Don’t be surprised to see Barron make multiple plays throughout the preseason to work his way into playing time. Tommy: Give me Alijah Clark, the safety from Syracuse. At 6’1, 188 pounds, he’s a versatile piece that can line up at safety or in the slot in the secondary and it’s that aspect of his game that I think helps him make the roster. Granted it was in OTAs and the two starting safeties were injured, but Clark was still out there taking reps with the first team defense in the media viewings of practice, which is certainly a good sign. He was also the highest paid UDFA the Cowboys brought in following the NFL Draft, which tells you what the personnel department thought of him. At the very least, he’s got experience as a gunner and jammer on special teams and has a chance to carve out a role for himself along that path if things don’t work out on the backend of the defense. Tyler Smith contract projection: Dallas Cowboys guard looking for new deal – Rohan Chakravarthi, Blogging the Boys Tyler Smith is next in line after Micah Parsons to be almost a near guarantee to be with Dallas long-term and for a massive contract. Comparable baseline for a Tyler Smith contract The guard market has erupted in recent years. To name a few, Chris Lindstrom, Robert Hunt, Will Fries, Trey Smith (franchise tag), Landon Dickerson, Quenton Nelson, Aaron Banks, Sam Cosmi, Quinn Meinerz, Joe Thuney, and Jonah Jackson have all gotten a deal in the past two years that averages at least $17.5 million per season. Dickerson’s four-year, $84 million deal from last offseason set the market until Trey Smith was franchise-tagged this year, setting him up to make $23.4 million on a one-year deal in 2025. Smith has quickly developed into one of the top guards in the NFL since moving over from tackle in 2023, and he could very well be next in line for a market-setting deal. Looking purely at contract extensions, Dickerson’s $21 million per year leads the way for average annual value. Hunt’s $63 million in practical guarantees on his five-year, $100 million deal with the Panthers is the top in that category. Lindstrom’s $48.2 million on his five-year, $102.5 million deal with the Falcons is the most guaranteed at signing. And Quenton Nelson’s $31 million signing bonus tops that filter. With the guard market really expanding and teams taking care of their players early, four-year extensions seem to be the blueprint at the position. That makes sense for Smith, given that he still has two more years on his rookie deal (Year 4 + fifth-year option). It also allows the Cowboys more flexibility to structure the contract, which can be helpful in negotiations. Timing will be crucial, as it usually is with major contracts, given others like Trey Smith are also vying for long-term extensions. But, given where the market currently is, let’s project what a contract for Tyler Smith could look like. Cowboys claim 2 of PFF top 10 preseason battles to watch – Shane Taylor, Inside the Star The Cowboys must decide who will be the starter at a few positions during training camp. Running Backs The first of the Masons’ preseason battles to watch, he talked about the Cowboys running back room. We all understand why. “Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders headline the competition, with rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah aiming to carve out complementary roles,” Cameron noted. The favorite should be Williams because he is younger and has more power to his game, but Sanders has been the more impressive player in offseason workouts, according to the folks who cover the Cowboys in person. Yet, I have even seen reports saying that Dallas might cut Williams. If both Williams and Sanders struggle during training camp and into the preseason, will the Cowboys explore outside options? I don’t see the Cowboys looking for anyone else to come in and take this job. I think this team will roll with whomever they have on the roster when week one gets here. Edge Defenders The second of the two that made the top ten list was the battle of the Cowboys edge defenders. Dante Fowler Jr. vs. Donovan Ezeiruaku vs. Payton Turner vs. Marshawn Kneeland vs. Sam Williams. Dallas brought in former first-round picks Dante Fowler Jr. and Payton Turner in free agency to compete with second-rounders Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland. They also drafted Ezeiruaku in the second round of the 2025 draft. Fowler had 10.5 sacks last season with the Washington Commanders, making him the favorite to start. Still, there will be snaps for Kneeland and rookie Ezeiruaku. It will also be hard to keep Williams off the field if he’s at full strength following a torn ACL suffered in 2024. Top five NFL draft values of the millennium at TE: Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski among all-time greats – Eric Edholm, NFL.com There’s no question Jason Witten should be a first-ballot Hall

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 72) 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 72. Ken Norton Jr Born: September 29, 1966. Jacksonville, IllinoisPosition: LinebackerDallas Cowboys: 1988-1993Awards: Super Bowl champion- XXVII, XXVIII, XXIXAll-Pro- 1993, 1995Pro Bowl– 1993, 1995, 1997 Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images Ken Norton Jr. played linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys from 1988 to 1993 after being selected in the second round out of UCLA. Known for his relentless motor, physicality, and leadership, Norton developed into a key piece of the Cowboys’ defense during their early 1990s dynasty. He was the team’s leading tackler in multiple seasons and played a pivotal role in back-to-back Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII. Norton’s fiery play and intensity helped set the tone for a defense that became one of the league’s best. Ken Norton Jr. doesn’t get enough credit for how good he was on those Super Bowl teams pic.twitter.com/Dxx6OjL67k — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 13, 2020 Best known for:Norton was best known for being a tackling machine and emotional leader on the Cowboys’ defense during their early ’90s championship run, including starting in two Super Bowl victories. Lesser known fact:Norton was the first player in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. After winning two with Dallas, he signed with the 49ers and won a third straight title in Super Bowl XXIX. This feat was matched again in 2025, when Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen, Darian Kinard, won his third consecutive Lombardi in Super Bowl LIX. ✭ 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 72Ken Norton Jr#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/aMfhtXSj89 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 24, 2025

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Cowboys could say goodbye to Trevon Diggs sooner rather than later. There is reason to believe Trevon Diggs’ time with the Dallas Cowboys could be coming to an end sooner rather than later. While the 51st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has been one of the few successful second-round selections by the Cowboys recently, this is a “what have you done for me lately” league and sadly Diggs isn’t living up to expectations. Unfortunately, the past two years haven’t been kind to Diggs. He has sustained back-to-back season-ending injuries to his left knee and has looked far removed from being the two-time Pro Bowler (2021, 2022) and First-Team All-Pro (2021) he was pre-injury. His injuries and regression could lead to the Cowboys wanting to get out of his contract. If that is true, then the Cowboys can get out of his contract after the completion of the 2025 NFL season. According to Spotrac, if they cut him in the offseason they save more than $12.5 million and would carry a dead cap hit of just under $6 million in 2026. They could also designate him a post-June 1 release, saving $15.5 million and can spread the dead cap over the 2026 and 2027 seasons at a little under $3 million per year. If Diggs’ injuries keep him from returning to form in 2025, becoming a salary-cap casualty after that wouldn’t be unexpected. Couple that with the fact that DaRon Bland is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and will be seeking a sizable extension himself, and the Cowboys could have quite the dilemma on their hands. The money saved by cutting Diggs could be used to help retain Bland. While Diggs’ fate could be tied to that of DaRon Bland, you have to consider the play of rookie Shavon Revel. If the rookie shows the talent that had him as a possible first-round prospect until his own injury in college, then the Cowboys could make a decision to go with those two as their main corners beyond 2025. Only time will tell though. This is definitely something to keep monitoring as the offseason and the regular-season progresses. Diggs can be a top corner when healthy and not being held back by rehab. We’ll just have to wait and see how his recovery progresses.

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images What do you think Tyler Smith’s eventual contract with the Cowboys will look like? It’s been a fairly active offseason by the standards of the Dallas Cowboys, including the trade for wide receiver George Pickens. The Cowboys moved on from Mike McCarthy and elected to elevate offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. Now, they’re focusing on a pair of major extensions: pass rusher Micah Parsons and left guard Tyler Smith. Dallas was in a similar predicament last offseason, having to extend both star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. Both deals eventually got done right before the start of the season, but it wasn’t without fireworks. Now, they’re hoping to avoid that this time around with another pair of stars. While the focus has been on Parsons, and rightfully so, Smith has become one of the Cowboys’ top players since being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s only entering the fourth year of his career, so the Cowboys do have time to get a deal done, as they’ve already picked up his fifth-year option for 2026. But, in recent years, teams have seen an advantage when getting ahead of contract extensions with the cap continuing to rise. So, let’s look at the numbers for a potential Smith extension and see where he could fit among his peers at guard. Comparable baseline for a Tyler Smith contract The guard market has erupted in recent years. To name a few, Chris Lindstrom, Robert Hunt, Will Fries, Trey Smith (franchise tag), Landon Dickerson, Quenton Nelson, Aaron Banks, Sam Cosmi, Quinn Meinerz, Joe Thuney, and Jonah Jackson have all gotten a deal in the past two years that averages at least $17.5 million per season. Dickerson’s four-year, $84 million deal from last offseason set the market until Trey Smith was franchise-tagged this year, setting him up to make $23.4 million on a one-year deal in 2025. Smith has quickly developed into one of the top guards in the NFL since moving over from tackle in 2023, and he could very well be next in line for a market-setting deal. Looking purely at contract extensions, Dickerson’s $21 million per year leads the way for average annual value. Hunt’s $63 million in practical guarantees on his five-year, $100 million deal with the Panthers is the top in that category. Lindstrom’s $48.2 million on his five-year, $102.5 million deal with the Falcons is the most guaranteed at signing. And Quenton Nelson’s $31 million signing bonus tops that filter. With the guard market really expanding and teams taking care of their players early, four-year extensions seem to be the blueprint at the position. That makes sense for Smith, given that he still has two more years on his rookie deal (Year 4 + fifth-year option). It also allows the Cowboys more flexibility to structure the contract, which can be helpful in negotiations. Timing will be crucial, as it usually is with major contracts, given others like Trey Smith are also vying for long-term extensions. But, given where the market currently is, let’s project what a contract for Tyler Smith could look like. Projecting a Tyler Smith contract with the Dallas Cowboys As shared above, expect Smith to land a four-year deal. And given how the Cowboys have structured some of their bigger contracts, I expect a guarantee structure where all or a portion of the 2026 and 2027 compensation guarantees after the previous league year begins. Smith should be in line for a market-setting deal, so I’d expect the average annual value to slightly beat Landon Dickerson’s. As for the guarantees, I think the sweet spot will be between Dickerson’s $50 million and Quenton Nelson’s $60 million on his four-year, $80 million extension with the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, there are opportunities for more guarantees with the guarantee structure, but I’d think Smith would earn somewhere in that range for the total guarantees. The Cowboys aren’t afraid to dole out larger signing bonuses, although I’m not sure that one for Smith would break the market over Nelson’s $31 million bonus. The good news for Dallas is that they can spread the cap hit over six possible years, given that Smith would have the two years on his rookie deal remaining, plus the four extension years on his overall deal. That would bump up his guarantees at signing, although that number is also dependent on the structure. So, for now, here’s what a projection of Smith’s deal could look like: Projection: 4 years, $85 million total with $53 million in total guarantees

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images What is the next Dallas Cowboys jersey you are looking to purchase? When it comes to Dallas Cowboys memorabilia, if you are a collector then you likely have a jersey or two. It is always interesting to see and hear what people’s stances on jerseys are like. Some people purchase a ton and wear them all of the time. Others pass on the idea as a whole. I’m sure you have heard people say that they only like to buy jerseys from legends since they know those players aren’t going anywhere. It always stinks when you have one from a player who is cut, traded or leaves in free agency. For our Tuesday discussion here on the site we are curious which Cowboys jersey you are wanting to get or have had on your list for some time. Maybe it is a legend as noted, or perhaps you are ready to plant your flag in the name of Tyler Booker. Maybe you even want something a bit unique that is only tangentially related to the Cowboys like a Florida Gators Emmitt Smith jersey. Let us know in the comments below!

Chris Jones-Imagn Images The latest and greatest Dallas Cowboys news. Luke Schoonmaker’s days in Dallas could be numbered – Richard Paolinelli, Inside The Star The Cowboys have suddenly created a lot of competition at tight end. Time Is Running Out There are actually two swords currently dangling over Schoonmaker’s head. He’s getting pushed by 2024 undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford as well as 2023 UDFAs Princeton Fant and John Stephens. Stephens has had his last two seasons derailed in the preseason by injury. When healthy, he showed signs of being a solid player. Fant has been impressing this year, perhaps understanding that he needs to make it this year, or he may not be in the NFL much longer. As for Spann-Ford, with the reported emphasis on running the ball, Spann-Ford is the kind of blocking tight end Dallas will require. He’s also shown an ability to catch some passes too, especially when Jake Ferguson went down with an injury last year. Outplaying these three challengers is the first sword that Schoonmaker must deal with. He can control that. He has no control over the other sword, however. Salary Cap Cut? Unless he can prove himself invaluable to the Cowboys’ offense, Schoonmaker’s contract could make him very expendable. Especially if Spann-Ford and Fant can show they are better options to back up Ferguson going forward. 3 Cowboys players facing a make or break season in 2025 – Brian Martin, Blogging The Boys The Cowboys defense is going through yet another change under Matt Eberflus, and some key players could be on the block. DT Mazi Smith Anyone else surprised to see Mazi Smith make this list? Probably not. Sadly, Dallas’ 2023 first-round pick as of yet hasn’t lived up to his draft status. Playing for different defensive coordinators in each of his first two seasons with the Cowboys probably didn’t help his development, which puts into question how he’ll perform with his third DC in three years (Matt Eberflus). If he doesn’t take a significant jump during his ever important Year 3, he could be playing elsewhere as soon as next season. CB Trevon Diggs Unless Trevon Diggs has a huge bounce-back season in 2025 he could be playing elsewhere next season. Injuries and regression over the past couple years could make him a salary-cap casualty after the completion of the 2025 season. The Cowboys can save more than $12.25 million by releasing him in the offseason and carry a dead cap hit of just under $6 million. They could also designate him a post-June 1 release and save $15.5 million and spread the dead cap over the 2026 and 2027 seasons at just under $3 million per year. PFF spotlights 2 Cowboys position battles among NFL’s most intriguing this preseason – Todd Brock, The Cowboys Wire The Cowboys were hamstringed at running back all season in 2024, and have an open competition for who will lead the group in ‘25. Pro Football Focus has identified 10 position battles to watch across the league this preseason, and the Cowboys figure prominently on the list, with two of the competitions expected to get most heated. Running back Following an offseason that completely blew up the Cowboys’ already-faltering ground game, the outlet unsurprisingly spotlights Javonte Williams versus Miles Sanders as the NFL’s most noteworthy running back battle of the summer. Signed by Dallas on the same day this March, both ballcarriers bring veteran experience to a room that will also include rookie draft picks Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, as well as Deuce Vaughn. It’s hard to imagine all five making the 53-man roster, so there will be lots of eyes watching every rep in Oxnard, with many believing either Williams or Sanders will end up being cut for cap space. But which one? PFF notes that while both “have faced challenges in recent years, each offers upside.” (In perhaps an indication of who they think is the lesser threat to stick around, though, PFF’s article- as originally posted- mistakenly refers to Williams as [Rico] Dowdle, confusing him with last year’s 1,000-yard rusher, now toting the rock in Carolina.) “Sanders earned an 84.8 rushing grade on gap runs last season (albeit in a limited sample),” writes Mason Cameron, while Williams “ranks in the 77th percentile in yards per route run over the past two seasons.” The pure stats would seem to favor Sanders, but he is three full years older and is coming off career lows in carries, yards, and yards per carry for the Panthers. He had a 1,000-yard campaign in 2022, and while it earned him his only Pro Bowl nod, it currently is the anomaly on his resume. Williams, while younger, suffered a major knee injury in 2022, costing him the final 13 games of that season. Once he returned, there were rumblings that he simply hadn’t regained his All-Rookie form, and he was let go by Denver after being the 35th overall draft pick in 2021. It may come down to which veteran performs better in camp and the preseason, and which one’s skill set is a better fit for what Schottenheimer wants to do offensively in 2025. Cowboys could revive a former first-round pick’s career with one bold move – Cameron Ellis, The Landry Hat Is there room for one more former first-round pick on the Cowboys roster at running back? Cowboys’ RB concerns could be solved with one call to the Jaguars “Publicly, the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t trying to trade running back Travis Etienne Jr. New head coach Liam Coen called trade rumors surrounding the 26-year-old “absolutely inaccurate” earlier this month, according to Demetrius Harvey of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. However, it isn’t hard to connect the dots between Etienne and an eventual deal that has the 2021 first-round pick playing elsewhere … With Etienne entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Jags could erase his entire $6.1 million cap hit by trading him. Coen might not be eager to part with him

Dick Raphael-Imagn Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 73) 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 73. Mike Ditka Born: October 18, 1939. Carnegie, PennsylvaniaPosition: Tight endDallas Cowboys: 1969-1972Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI, XII, XX (as coach)All-Pro- 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965Pro Bowl– 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time TeamNFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team Photo by James Flores/Getty Images Mike Ditka played tight end for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1972, joining the team near the end of his Hall of Fame playing career. Though no longer in his prime, Ditka provided leadership, toughness, and a physical edge to the offense. He was a key contributor in short-yardage and blocking situations and played an important supporting role during the Cowboys’ rise to prominence under Tom Landry. Ditka helped Dallas win its first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl VI and added veteran grit to a young, talented roster. Best known for:Ditka was best known in Dallas for being a veteran leader who brought experience to the Cowboys offense, helping guide the team to its first Super Bowl victory in the 1971 season. Lesser known fact:While playing for the Cowboys, Ditka began developing a strong relationship with head coach Tom Landry, so much so that after retiring Landry hired him as an assistant coach in 1973, launching Ditka’s legendary coaching career. This would not only help Dallas win Super Bowl XII, he would eventually get a Super Bowl win as head coach whilst with the Chicago Bears. ✭ 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 73Mike Ditka#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/zIYmPYcqdB — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 23, 2025