Joe Burrow certainly wins the ‘best QB gift to OL’ award Chris Roling What quarterbacks gift their offensive linemen around the holidays has become something of a public competition, it seems. And of course, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow wants to win. That’s how it feels, anyway. According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Burrow gifted his linemen authentic Japanese Katana swords, letting his linemen pick out their own from a selection. “Joe does a great job at buying gifts that are extremely meaningful,” Orlando Brown said, according to Dehner. “The fact that he bought me a sword, it’s the most ancient form of respect.” Where some quarterbacks settle for more normal things like gifting his linemen cars, Burrow went a bit extra here — and it rules. Go figure, from the guy who bought his own Batmobile.

Even the most talented and feared players in the NFL are susceptible to cold and flu season. That may be what keeps Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons from continuing the tear he’s been on lately. The defensive game-wrecker sat out Friday’s practice, and his status for Sunday night’s primetime matchup is in question. Five other Cowboys players are considered 50/50 as well. A knee injury claimed wide receiver Jalen Brooks during the week and will keep him sidelined in Week 16. For the Buccaneers, safety Antoine Winfield is out with an knee injury, and wide receiver Kameron Johnson is out with an ankle. Linebacker K.J. Britt and tight end Cade Otton are doubtful to suit up, and safety Mike Edwards is questionable. Here’s a closer look at the Cowboys who have a gameday designation as of Friday. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] LB Micah Parsons – Questionable CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) Parsons popped up on the final report of the week with an illness. He did not participate in Friday’s practice is officially listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game. During a call-in with 105.3 The Fan, though, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones hedged his bets a bit, saying, “I’d be surprised if Micah doesn’t come around. You never know with these flu bugs. He should be fine.” CB Jourdan Lewis – Questionable Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) attempts to make a catch as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) defends during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Lewis was limited all week after suffering an elbow injury during last weekend’s win in Carolina. He said then that he felt “good” and that he expected to be fine for Week 16, but he is now classified as questionable for when the Bucs come to town. LB Eric Kendricks – Questionable ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 18: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a defensive stop against the Houston Texans during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) The veteran linebacker did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited on Friday. The reason given is a two-parter, both “non-injury rest – personal” but also “calf.” Kendricks did not practice for most of last week either, but he was fine to suit up and go versus the Panthers. Safety Juanyeh Thomas – Questionable LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Juanyeh Thomas #30 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a defensive play during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Thomas has not seen the field since Thanksgiving Day as he continues to nurse a knee injury. He was limited this week in practice but has been wearing a brace and is considered questionable for Sunday night. He told reporters he expects to play. OG T.J. Bass – Questionable Aug 1, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard T.J. Bass (66) blocks during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge playing fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Bass has performed well as a reliever along the Cowboys offensive line this season. He didn’t participate in the Wednesday walkthrough with a thigh injury, was limited on Thursday, and sat out again Friday. He’s a 50/50 proposition to see the field against Tampa Bay. LB Nick Vigil – Questionable ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Nick Vigil #41 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts to a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Vigil has taken the vast majority of his snaps on special teams this season. Dealing with a foot injury, he was a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned in a limited capacity to finish the work week. He’s uncertain for Sunday. WR Jalen Brooks – Out Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks (83) catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) and cornerback Michael Jackson (2) defend in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images One of the heroes of last week’s win in Charlotte, Brooks reportedly hyperextended his knee on the final play of Thursday’s practice. As a result, he did not participate Friday and has already been declared out of this week’s game.

WATCH: Netflix drops first trailer for series focusing on Jerry Jones, Cowboys ‘soap opera’ Todd Brock The Cowboys’ current chances of making this postseason are roughly the same as being struck by lightning while being attacked by a shark, but there’s something else being offered up to fans as a timely diversion. Come to think of it, it’s probably just as much for the franchise’s many haters, too… and it’s coming to small screens everywhere in the coming year. Netflix has dropped the first official trailer for America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, the new docuseries focusing on billionaire Jerry Jones and his ownership of the most-recognized and highest-valued franchise in sports. News of the project was announced in May, but there is no premiere date yet established for what was conceived to be a 10-part series of 45-minute episodes. The short preview posted to social media on Thursday gives glimpses of just some of the notable figures who sat down to be interviewed. Former Cowboys stars Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders, Troy Aikman, Herschel Walker, and Michael Irvin can be seen, as can former President of the United States George W. Bush. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] But no moment in the 30-second clip will get more mileage on the sports-talk circuit- not to mention eye-rolls from Cowboys fans- than a pair of very telling quotes from Jones himself, shown during a montage of historic Cowboys moments. “It’s bigger than winning football games,” Jones says at one point. “Keep ’em talking,” he says in a later voiceover. “It’s a soap opera 365 days a year.” Cowboys fans know that all too well. And though they’d certainly prefer a little less melodrama and a lot more postseason success, they’ll likely be tuning in nevertheless once the Netflix docuseries goes live. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was a massive hit for the streaming service in 2024 and has been greenlit for a second season in 2025, continuing the brand’s seemingly never-ending media presence. Follow all of your favorite Texas teams at Cowboys Wire, Longhorns Wire, Texans Wire, Rockets Wire and Aggies Wire!

Mike Zimmer proving his worth in Cowboys pseudo “prove-it” season reidhanson Signed to a one-year deal over the offseason, 2024 has been a prove-it season of sorts for Mike Zimmer. With a lifetime of experience and plenty of skins on the wall in Dallas, Zimmer didn’t need to prove his value to the Cowboys organization, he had to prove his value to the current roster and to whomever takes the head coaching reins in 2025. Since Mike McCarthy was entering the last year on his deal this season it’s understandable the Cowboys wanted the other coaching contracts to synch up. Not many coaches would except a one-year offer since schemes, personnel, and strategies take time to implement. But Zimmer did and he likely did so with an eye on something else down the road. He’s really proving he can work with the Cowboys’ main pieces they have on defense. He’s proving he can effectively follow a player-friendly coach like Dan Quinn. He’s proving he has a good thing going if and when a new head coach comes in over the offseason. Based on Jerry Jones’ familiarity, he may even be proving he’s a candidate for head coach. Whatever he happens to be trying to prove this season, he appears to finally be getting some traction. The Cowboys defense started the season horrifically. The defense’s talent, discipline and depth were exposed. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Zimmer’s defense ranked 30th in EPA allowed and dead last in run defense. Zimmer’s defense was always supposed to take time to implement, and growing pains were expected, but not to the degree that unfolded. The injuries and front office malfeasance provided cover, but if 2024 was an audition, Zimmer looked like a one-and-done coach early on. Then things started to click. As the schedule softened and the running game on offense started to pick up, the defense hit its stride. Over the last four games the Dallas defense has shockingly played like a top five unit (based on EPA/play). With Micah Parsons back in the fold, the Dallas pass rush has led the league in sacks and pressures. They’ve done so with smart play design and well-timed blitzing. Every layer of the defense has suffered significant injuries, yet Zimmer’s group is getting better by the week. For the first time in years discipline and accountability appear to be a thing on defense and it’s beginning to produce results, even if the talent is less than ideal. Zimmer deserves to be in the conversation for 2025. That’s a statement that would have been laughed at just one month ago. It’s a statement that speaks to what a coach with a fairly complicated playbook has accomplished with a revolving door of players and undeniable roster holes to overcome. It doesn’t demand his return in 2025 or warrant a promotion, but it keeps him in the conversation. Whoever takes over next season will see a pretty compelling case to keep the veteran coach around. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys bring back former 7th-round draft pick at DT Todd Brock The Cowboys are bolstering their defensive line depth for the regular season’s final stretch of games by bringing back a familiar face. Defensive tackle Justin Rogers has been signed off Cincinnati’s practice squad, according to the team. He takes the roster spot of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who has officially been placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a devastating knee injury versus the Bengals on Dec. 9. Rogers was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round of 2024’s draft, selected 244th overall. After spending training camp with the team, he was released on Aug. 26 and signed by the Bengals three days later. Rogers has not yet made it into a game at the NFL level. The 6-foot-2-inch, 340-pounder caught the eye of several observers in Oxnard this summer with not only his size but the run-stop skills he showed at Auburn as a college senior and prior to that at Kentucky. “Been keeping an eye on him,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Thursday. “Fortunate to have the opportunity to bring him back. We still consider him one of ours. … Obviously, we thought enough of him to draft him, so it’ll be great to get him back into the mix.” [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Rogers will join a DT group that currently includes Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, and Linval Joseph. Denzel Daxon and Phil Hoskins are also listed at the position on the Dallas practice squad. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

This is going to be a very interesting offseason for the Dallas Cowboys in a few weeks. The assumption is that Dallas will need to move pretty quickly after the final whistle on Week 18. Back in 2019 and under similar circumstances, owner and GM Jerry Jones waited almost an entire week from the final day of the regular season (December 29) to moving on from Jason Garrett (January 5) whose contract expired. Garrett was replaced by Mike McCarthy, a veteran coach who had convinced the Joneses that he was hip to the new NFL after spending a year away from the game. Will they look for similar things if and when they let McCarthy go this coming offseason? There are a slew of really good candidates this go round. Time may be of the essence this cycle, as there could be upwards of seven or eight openings come early January. The Jets, Saints and Bears have already fired their head coaches. The Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, and Raiders could all be in that boat. There’s even an outside chance the Bengals and 49ers are looking for new leaders for their sidelines. The searches are going to be diverse, depending on what each ownership group prefers, and that question is no more pertinent than in Dallas. The Cowboys have been on an experience roller coaster for 30-plus years of coaching. Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer were established college leaders with no NFL coaching experience. Switzer was replaced by Chan Gailey, who had over 10 years experience as an NFL assistant and pro head coaching experience from the WLAF. Dave Campo was similar, a decade-long assistant who was bumped up to replace Gailey. When those didn’t work, Jones turned to two-time Lombardi hoister Bill Parcells and his lengthy resume as a team fixer. Parcells was replaced four years later by another veteran of the head coaching pipeline, Wade Phillips. Garrett was hired before Phillips to be a coach in waiting with just two years experience as an assistant, which grew to six by the time he ascended. His departure saw Jones go back to the proven winner ranks with Super Bowl champ McCarthy. So where do things go this cycle? There’s a ton of guys with various amounts of experience as coordinators, though it’s hard to envision Jones hiring a Liam Coen of Tampa, whose called plays in the NFL just for one season, or Frank Smith of Miami who hasn’t done it at all. There are assistants who have been head coaches before, like Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Flores. There are former head coaches like Mike Vrabel, collegiate coaches like Deion Sanders and Kirby Smart, former Cowboys assistants like Kellen Moore and Wes Phillips, and that’s before the young guns like Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik, Joe Brady and others are even mentioned. It’s going to be a crazy upheaval in the NFL coaching ranks and if Dallas throws their hats in the ring, they will be the biggest tent at the circus. Here’s a look at our Week 16 replacement rankings. Honorable Mentions: Liam Coen, OC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Last Week: Honorable Mention Ryan Grubb, Seattle Seahawks OC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos, DC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Lincoln Riley, USC, HC | Last Week: Honorable Mention Adam Stenovich, Green Bay Packers OC | Last Week: Honorable Mention University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart | Last Week: Honorable Mention Vikings OC Wes Phillips | Last Week: 13 Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips walks on the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports OK wak with us for a second. Phillips has been instrumental in the improvement of Sam Darnold this season, and while Kevin O’Connell calls the plays, the biggest impediment to Phillips becoming a head coach is that he’s in the booth on gamedays and not down on the sideline. At 45, Wade Phillips son who was an assistant in Dallas for seven years to start his NFL coaching career (staying on with Jason Garrett after his dad was fired) has spent three years in Minnesota. If he were to make the jump, he’d need a defensive coordinator with head coaching experience by his side, but the idea shouldn’t be outright dismissed. Former NFL head coach Mike Vrabel | Last Week: 12 Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a Titans penalty against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Vrabel was fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk Monday after having two losing seasons back-to-back. Vrabel is a defensive-minded head coach who was able to achieve strong levels of success in Tennessee with a veteran QB who wasn’t well regarded (Ryan Tannehill) prior to their time together. Known as a disciplinarian, pairing him with Dak Prescott would require finding the next big thing as offensive coordinator. Brian Daboll (NY Giants) and Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals) would make ridiculously good fits as OCs for Vrabel. Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith | Last Week: 7 Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith at press conference at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Grabbing from a fruitful tree is always a wise idea, and snatching Smith from under Mike McDaniel as part of the Kyle Shanahan limb system seems like a wise call. Dallas rarely uses motion at the snap and isn’t particularly good at it; and that’s literally the forte of Smith. Doesn’t currently have play-calling duties though, which could be seen as a knock. Miami’s rough year continued with the loss of Jaylen Waddle in a disappointing Week 15 loss where they only managed 12 points. Lions DC Aaron Glenn | Last

The Dallas Cowboys will be facing their second consecutive NFC South opponent of the season in Week 16, but this time they’ll be playing the leader in the division. It’ll be a home game for the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, and there are reasons to hate matching up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a four-game losing streak, the Buccaneers have turned things around and are now riding a four-game winning streak. Much like the Cowboys, the turnaround has consisted of beating mostly bad teams, but Todd Bowles’ group is in position to win their division and make it to the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The Cowboys will have their hands full trying to stop an offense averaging nearly 29 points per game and coming off a 40-burger performance. Here are three reasons to hate the Week 16 opponent, the Buccaneers. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] QB Baker Mayfield Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Since arriving in Tampa Bay, there’s been a resurgence from quarterback Baker Mayfield. This has been the best season for the former first overall pick, who has already thrown for a career-high 32 touchdowns and is on pace to surpass his personal best in passing yards in a year. Mayfield is coming into this game off perhaps his best outing of the season, throwing for 288 yards and four scores against a good Los Angeles Chargers defense. The veteran QB had a career-best 81.5 completion percentage in the win, which has been consistent with his 2024 campaign, where he ranks third in the league at 70.8%. Mayfield’s also third in the NFL in passing yards, and third in touchdown passes. Everything Mayfield is doing right now is what was expected of him when he was selected as the top player in the 2018 draft. The Cowboys’ defense won’t like seeing a hot QB coming for them in Week 16. RB Bucky Irving Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Last April, the Cowboys had a chance to draft a running back for the future but failed to do so. This week they’ll be playing against a RB who was the pet cat for many draft gurus who wanted the Cowboys to select him on Day 3. Without a fourth-round pick, the organization never got a chance to draft Bucky Irving, who has been the best rookie RB on the season. Irving hasn’t been the full-time starter at RB all year, but he does have 852 yards rushing on just 152 carries. The rookie is just 27th in carries but 16th in rushing yards, sitting just behind Dallas’ RB Rico Dowdle. Irving also has six touchdowns on the ground and is third in the league for RBs in yards per carry, averaging 5.6 a tote. Irving’s number are impressive considering he’s only gotten double-digit carries in six games, all of which have included a score or at least 100 yards rushing. In four of his last five games where he’s played the majority of the snaps (he barely played two weeks ago), Irving has run for at least 73 yards, including two 100-yard outings, and he’s scored three touchdowns. In those four games, he’s also averaging 6.7 yards per carry, a full yard over his season’s average. Irving is getting better as the year goes on with more touches, and could surpass 1,000 yards rushing, a first for the Buccaneers since 2015. That’s not a common occurrence for a rookie, but Irving is already proving to be one of the better RBs in the league. WR Mike Evans Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images There’s a lot to hate about playing the Buccaneers that revolves around their offense, and the veteran wide receiver is another reason. Evans has been one of the best WRs in the league since he entered it in 2014, and he’s on pace to surpass 1,000 yards for his 11th straight season to start a career, extending his own record. If Evans can keep his pace and go over 1,000 yards again, he’ll break the tie with Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss and take sole possession of second place in 1,000-yard seasons. His numbers look like he’s having a down year, but he has missed extended time with a hamstring injury. Despite being hurt, Evans still leads the Buccaneers with 749 yards receiving and has nine scores, good for fourth in the league. Since his return from injury, Evans has settled back into being a top WR. In his last outing against the Chargers, Evans had his second 100-yard receiving game since coming back, setting season-highs in receptions (nine) and yards (158), to go along with two scores. Evans also had 118 yards and a score in a Week 13 win against the Carolina Panthers. There is no slowing down for Evans, who continues to excel, despite being 31 years old. He hit the ground running in his return from injury, and the Cowboys will have a tough time controlling the future Hall of Fame WR.

Micah Parsons noise likely to dominate Cowboys offseason coverage reidhanson Raise your hand if you loved the constant media coverage last offseason about Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s unresolved contract extensions. Anyone? Anyone? Not even a little? Aside from the national media, who live off ratings, and Cowboys front office, who lives off attention, it’s safe to say hardly anyone in the general public enjoyed the absurd and unrelenting conversation surrounding Prescott and Lamb’s unresolved contract situations last offseason. Re-signing Prescott and Lamb basically went without saying. Both players were cornerstone pieces executing at peak levels. The players themselves had interest in staying in Dallas, the Cowboys had sincere desire to bring them back, the team had cap room, and the market had been clearly set. Re-signing was a forgone conclusion, yet the media couldn’t stop speculating about their possible departure because big names pull big attention. With so many alterative storylines available to discuss, it was maddening for Cowboys fans and non-Cowboys fans alike to be inundated with constant talk about a possible divorce between these players and their team. This year it seems the greater NFL media is at it again, but this time they have their sights set on Micah Parsons. Parsons, the Cowboys superstar pass rusher, is entering the last year of his rookie deal in 2025. He’s eligible to sign an extension and when he does, he’s likely to reset the market as the top defensive player in the NFL. At age 25 and playing at the peak of his profession, every team in the NFL would love to have someone like Parsons. And with constant talk of “pie” and free agent penny pinching, Stephen Jones has made the Cowboys an easy target for a national media thirsty for tantalizing Cowboys headlines. Now after recent comments regarding another frugal offseason in 2025, the media has already spun dozens of Parsons trade stories. While Jones’ statements at the time and subsequent statements thereafter have specifically shot down such a blockbuster transaction, the damage has been done, and the clickbait playbook has been released. It seems the only thing that will get this genie back in the bottle is a new contract, and based on the Cowboys history of negotiations, that won’t happen until the 11th hour. That means Cowboys fans can expect at least eight months of trade speculation, eight months of public bickering between Parsons’ camp and the Cowboys front office, eight months of coverage that could be going to something interesting. Not that a Parsons trade wouldn’t be interesting, just that trading arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL isn’t a realistic possibility right now. While he can be re-signed at any point, he’s under contract for another full season. After that the Cowboys have the ability to keep him for one year, if not two years, under the franchise tag. That would take him all the way to 2028. “We love Micah,” Stephen Jones said to address the developing media storm. “I can’t imagine a scenario where he’s not wearing the star on his helmet.” As if the team needed a reminder of what Parsons brings to the table, they just got it this season. After missing four weeks earlier in the year, Parsons returned in Week 10 and has been a force ever since. Since his return the Cowboys have been first in sacks, first in pressures, and second in pass rush win rate. Over the last four weeks with Parsons, the Cowboys have posted the fifth best defense in the NFL and with that an affirming 3-1 record. His impact is profound, and the Cowboys know it. He also brings star power and all the marketability that comes with that. That’s something everyone can agree the Cowboys have a keen eye for and value greatly. Because they just can’t get enough of the Cowboys, the national media is almost guaranteed to latch onto the Parsons trade conversation and not let go until it’s finally put to bed with a new contract. Buckle up. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.