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

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

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

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images There should be no place like home for the Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys won 16 consecutive regular-season home games from 2022 to 2023. That streak ended quickly last season; the start of a brutal 2-7 performance in 2024 at AT&T Stadium. If Dallas is going to get back to the playoffs this year, getting back to handling their business at home would be a very positive step. Of course, overall records are ultimately more important than home versus away. In fact, before 2022, the Cowboys tended to either finish with a fairly even split or do better on the road. In 2021, they won seven away games to only five at home. In 2014, Dallas went a perfect 8-0 in away games and only won four at home. It’s why, for several years prior to 2022, there were ample jokes and outright criticism of the Cowboys’ lack of home-field advantage. Unfortunately, Dallas’ first home game in 2024 was that ugly 44-19 loss to the Saints. In fact, they lost their first five home games, with four of them being total blowouts. Only the lowly Giants coming to visit on Thanksgiving paused the bleeding, but that and a win over Tampa Bay were the only two victories at AT&T Stadium last season. Why do home wins matter? They’re not weighted any differently in the standings or serve as a tiebreaker. Mostly, it’s more fodder for conversation and fanbase pride. However, there’s a reason that Vegas gives home teams a token advantage. Historically, they win about 58% of the time. Some teams even have tangible homefield strengths like crowd noise or outdoor elements. And as any of us can attest, travel is generally hard on the body. Well-rested home teams are typically considered to have a natural performance edge. Very generally speaking, winning your home games is like insurance for the goal of making the playoffs. And that’s certainly where we want to see the 2025 Dallas Cowboys. Their first opportunity to start a fresh run of home dominance comes in Week 2 against the Giants. As with any new season, we’ll have to wait and see what kind of team New York is fielding. The same is true for the Cowboys, especially with a revamped coaching staff. But at the very least, based on most projections, Dallas should be level with this division rival in 2025 if not the superior team. But even with a win over New York, expectedly tougher tests, like the Packers in Week 4, could keep it from becoming a streak. Ultimately, no matter how it happens, the Cowboys’ return to the postseason is what really matters. But winning at home has historically proven to help, and we saw that from 2022-2023 as home dominance carried Dallas’ overall record. Even last year, bad as it was, they managed to win five road games. Just swinging a few more home games their way could’ve made a big difference in the standings, and that’s what we’re hoping for in 2025.

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.