Tim Heitman-Imagn Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys. Mailbag: Can Cowboys afford 2026 free agents? – Mickey Spagnola & Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com The Cowboys will have some big bills due soon if they want to keep the band together. People seem focused on re-signing Micah Parsons, but what about DaRon Bland, who will need a new deal in 2026, and possibly Tyler Smith? Both could command around $20 million annually. And now there’s George Pickens to worry about as well. You can’t keep everybody, so how do the Cowboys manage this? Who stays and who goes? – Brandon Gardner/Washington, D.C. Mickey: Usually, these things sort out in order, or if and when a player wants to meet the Cowboys offering number. So right now, the order priority would be Parsons No. 1 since he is next in line for an extension which would lower his salary cap hit of $24 million for this season. And remember, if the Cowboys can’t come to an agreement with Parsons for this year, they could always franchise him for next year. And as for Tyler Smith, the Cowboys already picked up his fifth year-option worth $21.27 million guaranteed. And remember, from a team standpoint if extending a player before having to spend that money the team is expecting a discount, which player agents aren’t keen on. And if the Cowboys manage to get Parsons signed to an extension this year then they would have a franchise tag available next year for the likes of either Bland or Pickens. This ain’t easy. Tommy: It’s a great question, and one that I think is going to be answered by how well each of them play in 2025. I feel pretty confident that Bland and Smith will likely both be retained, and my questions lie with TE Jake Ferguson and WR George Pickens. Ferguson, who had a down year in 2024, needs to show that he can bounce back in 2025 if he wants the long-term deal, and I think he can with Dak Prescott back. Then with Pickens, it really all does depend on how his 2025 season goes with Dallas. If he plays very well, of course the Cowboys will consider keeping him around, but could his price tag grow to be too high? If that’s the case, the Cowboys could find solace in free agency if he signs elsewhere by receiving a compensatory pick that may be a third rounder, which they gave up in the trade for Pickens, essentially cancelling things out. That said, you’re giving away what would’ve been a sure-thing in your offense for an unknown, which is the risk you take sometimes in the NFL. You’re right that you can’t keep everybody, but you’ve certainly got to try if they’re helping you win football games. Dallas Cowboys UDFA surprisingly emerges as potential impact player – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated One Dallas newcomer is already showing off. Making an impact as an undrafted free agent is never easy, but there always seems to be a little more hope that these players can catch on with the Dallas Cowboys. While every team has its share of star players who began their career undrafted, Dallas has had some of the best ever. Names such as Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris, and Everson Walls all carved out excellent careers. None are more prominent, however, Tony Romo, who is the franchise’s current leader in passing yards. That’s why it’s always interesting to keep an eye on UDFAs during training camp. With that around the corner, writers for DallasCowboys.com were asked for their top UDFA to watch. Two of those writers went with the same player, linebacker Justin Barron out of Syracuse. Nick Eatman was the first to pick Barron, saying he could make an impact as a special teams player this year. “When I was watching the first OTA practice with the rookies, No. 55 Justin Barron stood out the most to me. He looked just as quick and fluid as Shemar James in the drills I saw. Nothing against James, but Barron looks like he belongs as well. Has great size and seems like the kind of player that will immediately contribute on special teams and could be a backup linebacker as well.” — Eatman The Cowboys All-Century offensive line is one of the best – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside The Star Dallas sure does know how to draft offensive lineman. As the bigger names of skill positions swept the spotlight in our previous All-quarter-century Cowboys round-up, it’s high time to give respectful airtime to the unsung heroes along the trenches. Anchoring the offensive front on this dream squad are five of the best linemen to don a Cowboys jersey over the past quarter-century. If they had played together (some of them did), they would have formed one of the most intimidating and dominant offensive lines in NFL history. Left Tackle Tyron Smith (2011-2023) Drafted 9th overall in 2011, Tyron Smith blossomed into the anchor at blind‑side tackle. With size, athleticism, and instinctive footwork, he staved off premier pass rushers year after year. As the bigger names of skill positions swept the spotlight in our previous All-quarter-century Cowboys round-up, it’s high time to give respectful airtime to the unsung heroes along the trenches. Anchoring the offensive front on this dream squad are five of the best linemen to don a Cowboys jersey over the past quarter-century. If they had played together (some of them did), they would have formed one of the most intimidating and dominant offensive lines in NFL history. Remember, this is my personal list. Would you have rather seen someone else on here? Feel free to let me know in the comments. Dallas Cowboys 2025 roster bubble review: Linebacker – Jess Haynie, BloggingTheBoys.com Here’s who may or may not make the cut in the second level of Dallas’ defense. Whenever a team heads into training camp, some positions are more open than others. For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, linebacker

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 71) 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 71. Marion Barber III Born: June 10, 1983. Plymouth, MinnesotaPosition: Running back Dallas Cowboys: 2005-2010Awards: Pro Bowl– 2007 Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images Marion Barber III played running back for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2010 after being drafted in the fourth round out of Minnesota. Nicknamed “Marion the Barbarian,” he became a fan favorite for his bruising, punishing running style and refusal to go down on first contact. Barber was primarily used as a change-of-pace and red zone back early in his career but still earned Pro Bowl honors in 2007, despite not starting a single game that season. His physicality and passion made him one of the most exciting and hard-nosed runners of his era and a fan favorite that offered hope to a fan group that wanted the next Emmitt Smith on an offense that had seen its fair struggles in the elite running back’s wake. Happy heavenly birthday to one of the most iconic running backs in #Cowboys history, Marion Barber III ( : @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/0FZCyz5tk8 — Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) June 10, 2024 In 2022 the upsetting news broke that Barber was found deceased in his home, he was only 38 years of age. Barber had a history of mental health issues after his time playing in the NFL and his unfortunate demise left Cowboys fans, players and coaches shocked when the news broke. He is forever remembered by fans and family and the love for him has never been lost. The NFL mourns the tragic loss of Marion Barber III and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/NzP9jVeTyp — NFL (@NFL) June 2, 2022 Best known for:Barber was best known for his violent running style and unforgettable effort plays. This play style was on display during an iconic play against the New England Patriots in 2007 where he broke multiple tackles from nearly every defensive player and ran across the field from his own end zone in order to make a play and avoid the safety. “Do what you love, it’s just that simple!” – Marion Barber#DeepBlue | @pepsi pic.twitter.com/ZzF0QodE6x — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 25, 2023 Lesser known fact:Despite his aggressive playing style, Barber was a quiet and deeply introspective person off the field, once saying he preferred writing poetry and journaling in his spare time as a way to balance the intensity of football. ✭ 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 71Marion Barber III#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/6vJ9SRwAtk — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 25, 2025

Rich Barnes-Imagn Images The latest news from around the division. Have the Giants solved their swing-tackle problem? – Ed Valentine, BigBlueView.com This could be the season that New York resolves some O-line issues. The best thing that could happen to the New York Giants’ offensive line in 2025 would be for left tackle Andrew Thomas to remain healthy for an entire season, which has not happened since he was a second-team All-Pro in 2022. Giants’ fans know the history all too well. In 2023, Thomas suffered a hamstring injury chasing after a blocked field goal at the end of the season’s first drive. He missed seven games, then played much of the rest of the season with a knee injury that limited his effectiveness. In 2024, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Thomas suffered the dreaded Lisfranc injury, had surgery and missed the rest of the season. In neither of those seasons did the Giants have a workable backup plan. In 2023, they kept 2023 third-round pick Matt Peart as the designated swing tackle, but when they needed a replacement for Thomas refused to use him. Instead, they plugged in Josh Ezeudu, a guard who had failed to win a starting job. That was a disaster. Ezeudu wasn’t up to the task, and that contributed to the Giants’ offensive line falling apart. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury, then a season-ending knee injury while getting pounded game after game. Giants’ quarterbacks ended up getting sacked a ridiculous league-leading 85 times. The Giants appear to have finally relented on their insistence that Ezeudu could be an NFL tackle. This offseason, they signed a pair of veteran swing tackles in James Hudson and Stone Forsythe. “You always have to prepare for the eventualities,” offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said during mandatory minicamp. “It’s football.” It was clear during spring practices that the Giants are counting on Hudson to step in if injuries once again befall Thomas. Hudson took almost all of the first-team left tackle reps in the spring as Thomas continued his off the field rehab program. The 26-year-old Hudson was a fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He has played in 49 regular-season games with 17 starts. Hudson has significant experience at both tackle spots. In 2024, he was almost exclusively at left tackle, playing 207 snaps there and just 15 on the right side. Eagles Cornerback Offers Unique Take On His New Defensive Coordinator -Ed Kracz, Sports Illustrated An ‘old school’ coordinator is unique for Philly’s newest corner. PHILADELPHIA – Every Eagles player has their opinion of their defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the way he conducts practice. ‘Old-school’ is usually the term that comes up, from Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter to Jordan Davis. Adoree Jackson had a unique twist on the DC earlier this month. “Vic is one of those coaches that just respects hard work,” said the Eagles first-year cornerback. “He might not say much to you. But every now and then, he kind of reminds me how my mom and pops is … It’s not like he never wants to give anyone credit, but he’s like, ‘you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.’ And then when you do something, you might not think it was significant, but he might give you a compliment on that. It’s always just working hard.” Jackson, who is vying to start with Kelee Ringo, has had several coaches and coordinators in his eight NFL seasons. In his ninth, and with his third team, he says there is a difference with Fangio and others. He has played for the Titans, Giants, and now Eagles. “A lot of other coaches who are very vocal – as he is, but it’s different,” said Jackson. “Like you understand, if he’s saying something to you, it’s either to correct you or he’s not going to give you a compliment just to give you one, like you really gotta keep working and stacking days to earn that. “I appreciate that type of coaching style because he’s got the right coaches around him. So if he says something, you can talk to him, but then you’ve got the position coaches to articulate a little bit better for him. They all go hand-in-hand, but being around Vic is pretty cool.” New Commanders signing compares locker room energy to legendary NFL dynasty – Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com A championship culture seems to be present in Washington. The Washington Commanders have installed a championship-caliber mentality across the franchise under the current regime. One recent arrival who was part of the league’s most dominant dynasty sees the similarities. Dan Quinn is a personable, no-nonsense coach. He’s a genuine leader of men who sets high standards for himself and his players. It’s received an immensely positive response, with the Commanders going from a bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under his leadership. Quinn isn’t letting standards slip. His coaches are relaying that message to the playing personnel. There have been aggressive, impressive changes once again this offseason, but the common goal remains the same. Put the hard yards in now, and you’ll benefit later. Deatrich Wise Jr. came through the ranks under Bill Belichick during his eight-year stint with the New England Patriots. The defensive end believes the Commanders have created a similar environment to flourish, which focuses heavily on practicing well to ensure they are ready for anything when competitive action arrives. “But also one of the things Bill [Belichick] always said was ‘practice execution becomes game reality.’ That’s one thing I’ve always taken to heart. Practice as hard as I can and exactly how I want the game to be. That’s what makes great teams great. And I feel like that’s the first two things I heard being talked about when I got to the Commanders by Coach [Joe] Whitt [Jr.] [defensive coordinator, and also by Coach DQ [Quinn]. They both was like, ‘We have to be able to practice the same way we want to have

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