How many times last season did we say that the Dallas Cowboys would be a playoff team if the defense just played average? Not good, just average?
I lost count to be honest.
But now, with the changes made both on and off the field with Christian Parker and a dozen new faces, the defense has the potential to not be a basket case in 2026.
With the offense retaining all of its big stars, we know what to expect from Brian Schottenheimer’s unit: a lot of points and highlight-reel plays.
But defensively, is where all of the big questions are centered.
How will Parker fare calling a game for the first time? Will Caleb Downs be as advertised in the NFL? Will the secondary tighten up and consistently prevent big plays?
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All of those will be answered in due time, and for most, the turnaround for Parker doesn’t require the unit to be in the top five; with the offense Dallas has, middle of the pack is fine.
And for ESPN’s Ben Solak, this Cowboys team can go on a deep playoff run, predicated on one thing happening from the defense.
“Dallas simultaneously needs Parker to revolutionize its defense — modernizing the scheme and quickly getting multiple young or new players up to speed — but doesn’t need him to do that much,” Solak wrote.
“Dallas had the worst starting field position on average last season — imagine if it’s average this season. Only two teams had fewer takeaways. Imagine if the Cowboys’ defense in 2026 does what the Bears’ did in 2025? The offense can power a deep playoff run, so long as the defense carries its own weight.”
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So, the recipe is rather simple, and regular readers here know that.
The offense is good enough to win a Super Bowl; they just need a little help from the defense.
We saw last season when the offense did get help (vs. the Eagles and Chiefs), how good this team can look, but it was fleeting.
In 2026, if Parker’s defense can become average, get the ball back every now and then, and not give up touchdowns for fun, the Cowboys are going to be in a lot of games in Schottenheimer’s second season.
We know what is required to get back to the postseason from the Cowboys. Let’s see if they can get it done.