On paper, Dallas has every reason to be very concerned about its chances of success in 2026. The Cowboys have married an outrageously productive offense with a rebuilt defense that should be significantly better than 30th until it torpedoed their playoff chances last season.
Of course, compiling a list is only half the job. The other part comes together in spring projects and training camp. With half of that process now complete and early results indicating the defense — a unit now coordinated by 34-year-old Christian Parker — is already turning the corner by challenging the Cowboys offense in minicamp, optimism is understandably rising.
“I believe defense wins championships,” Schottenheimer said. “I believe so. And so if the defense is giving us headaches, that’s fine by me.”
Summer is the perfect time for sunny looks to match the season’s blue skies, but as Prescott and Schottenheimer both know all too well, the debate doesn’t matter unless the fall and winter results match up.
Prescott believes they will support the attitude on the field, so much so that he assured recent arrival defensive tackle Quinnen Williams that he will be playing meaningful football in January.
“Hearing (Williams) say he’s never been to the playoffs, that’s what you want to do it for,” Prescott said. “And that’s what I told him. I said, ‘I’ll get you to the playoffs.’ I’m going to need you to help us win it.”
We will see if he can keep his promise.