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[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 Dallas Cowboys schedule wallpapers: Mobile and desktop options available

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

We have a variety of Dallas Cowboys schedule wallpapers available in both mobile and desktop versions.

The 2025 Dallas Cowboys schedule was released on Thursday and now we can finally plan for the best time of the year. There is a lot of fun to be had relative to the schedule and it means different things to different people. Given how football runs our lives, something we like to do regarding the schedule is to keep it handy.

For the last few years we have been making wallpapers with the schedule on it for four time zones: ET, CT, PST and GMT. We understand that there are people who live in other parts of the world and want to appease everyone, but this covers the United States and also establishes a solid reference point for anyone else.

Below you will find several different options for both mobile and desktop wallpaper options. There is a basic mobile one with no player on it, but then there are a few others with different choices. We also have player-specific wallpapers for desktop.

If you have a specific request drop it in the comments and we will do our best to take care of everyone.

We hope you enjoy.

General Mobile​

Micah Parsons Mobile​

Micah Parsons Desktop​

Dak Prescott Mobile​

Dak Prescott Desktop​

CeeDee Lamb Mobile​

CeeDee Lamb Desktop​

DeMarvion Overshown Mobile​

DeMarvion Overshown Desktop​

Trevon Diggs Mobile​

Trevon Diggs Desktop​

Osa Odighizuwa Mobile​

Osa Odighizuwa Desktop​

Tyler Booker Mobile​

Tyler Booker Desktop​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...as-cowboys-schedule-wallpapers-mobile-desktop

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Brian Schottenheimer has a chance to do what Mike McCarthy failed to in Cowboys debut

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

There is always a lot on the line when the Cowboys and Eagles get together and we will see it soon enough in Week 1.

The Dallas Cowboys have their first bulletin board item of the 2025 season, the first for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer as the replacement to Mike McCarthy. They will open their season in primetime, on the road, against the defending Super Bowl champions that hail from their very own division, the Philadelphia Eagles. There is no shortage of storylines whenever these teams get together, and Dallas trying to snap a three-game losing streak in Philadelphia against all odds, and start 2025 with a winning record after finishing 7-10 for their first losing season since 2020 a year ago is just one place to start.

An Eagles win in front of their home crowd on the night they raise their second championship banner would actually give them their first three-game win streak in this rivalry since week 14 of 2003, Week 10 of 2004, and Week 15 of that same season. The pressure is on early for Schottenheimer to establish himself against last year’s division winner, and will only continue one way or the other as the Cowboys will continue division play in the next week against the New York Giants.

Schottenheimer has not backed down one bit in his remarks so far to the media when it comes to holding himself to a championship standard, having an unquestionable work ethic, and being successful as a first-time head coach because of these things. For this success to start on opening night, Schottenheimer will have to do something his predecessor Mike McCarthy never did, and something that is of heightened importance considering Schottenheimer is also directly replacing McCarthy’s role as offensive play-caller after being his offensive coordinator. The Cowboys will have to beat Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who just won his first Super Bowl by beating Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs 40-22.

The Eagles defensive performance in the Super Bowl, given the circumstance of the offense they played against, was nothing short of epic as they didn’t allow a touchdown until the third quarter with a 34-0 lead and provided six points themselves with an interception return for touchdown. The very next QB to get a crack at this defense, which was bolstered by the Eagles spending their first five picks in April’s draft all on defense, will be the league’s highest paid in Dak Prescott.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys will be out to prove early that on the laundry list of things that went wrong as a team last season, missing Prescott for at least five games for the second time in three seasons belongs squarely at the top. To do so, they will still need Prescott to elevate the entirety of the offense around him in a way Dallas unfairly asked him to do at the start of last season given the lack of run game options, offensive line depth, or receiving threats beyond CeeDee Lamb. While it’s true the Cowboys have been mostly applauded for their activity in all phases of player acquisition to address these areas, trading for Miles Sanders, signing Javonte Williams, drafting Javonte Blue and Phil Mafa, drafting Tyler Booker 12th overall, and trading for George Pickens, there is still a way the Cowboys can help Prescott make it all work that remains the biggest question going into year one of Schottenheimer.

With his hiring being yet another close to the vest move by the Jones family, does it mean the offense will remain in the same image it has from even before the McCarthy era, or is Schottenheimer finally the right hire alongside new OC Klayton Adams to move it forward schematically? Putting this ultimate question to the test right out of the gate, against a defensive coordinator in Fangio who’s had every answer to the Cowboys predictability on offense for a long time now, is great early-season theater for the NFL between two teams they’ll highlight plenty all year long.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Fangio was the head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2021 when his team came to AT&T Stadium and beat Prescott and the Cowboys 30-16. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Cowboys, as they were held to the second fewest yards of the season with 290. It was also Prescott’s lowest completion percentage of the season, with the fewest first downs by the team all year as well.

The next season is when Fangio would first join the Eagles, but it is something of a wash when it comes to the relevant history on topic here. Fangio served as just a consultant to DC Jonathan Gannon. The Eagles defense still got the better of the Cowboys on home field, but it was in a primetime game started by Cooper Rush, his first loss of the season. The Cowboys bounced back to win the home rematch later in the season, with Prescott this time, but it was the Eagles down to a backup quarterback in that matchup with Gardner Minshew (who surprisingly gave Dan Quinn’s defense trouble in a 40-34 Dallas shootout win).

Picking back up with 2023, Fangio was in his only season as defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys played on the road there in Week 16, fresh off of road loss to another AFC East opponent in the Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys offense was again stymied by Fangio in a 22-20 losing effort, cementing a pair of losses that proved very telling about the form Dallas took into the playoffs leading to a swift Wild Card round exit versus the Packers.

Fangio returned to Philadelphia as DC last season, and as if he needed any more help beating Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys, got both of his matchups against Cooper Rush again. The Eagles beat the Cowboys in Arlington 34-6, again putting up their fewest yards and first downs of the season against this defense, and 41-7 at home in a game Dallas was already eliminated from playoff contention. Taking it for what it’s worth, there was nothing the Cowboys could do against Fangio’s defense for eight more full quarters of what is even still just a piece of a larger scale of dominance this style of defense has shown over the Cowboys own style of offense.

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

There are many qualities to Fangio’s defense that have become staples of it’s uniqueness, but also effectiveness, over his time in the NFL dating all the way back to 1986, with just a one year break in 2010 when Fangio was Stanford’s defensive coordinator. One of the main ones is how well his defenses commit numbers to coverage, and contain quarterbacks in the pocket with a disciplined pass rush that relies on the front four.

Just off of these two principles alone, it unfortunately isn’t hard to see why this defense has been effective against the Cowboys. Having defenders fan out into coverage quickly and turn back to read the quarterback makes completing the types of stop routes the Cowboys have been too dependent on difficult. So much of creating big plays on offense in today’s game is predicated on getting athletes in space that can beat defenders to their spots. The Cowboys have not helped themselves enough pre-snap to gain an advantage against most defenses here, and attacking the Fangio “umbrella” defense from spread but static formations is one of the worst approaches.

The time is fast approaching for all of the talk and speculation into both Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams’ new vision for the Dallas offense to play out on the field in OTAs and then training camp. Looking for things like tighter formations that help skill players run to open space, a run game that emphasizes getting blockers downhill, and that pre-snap motion would all be very positive early signs from Schottenheimer. As to how any of these things will translate when the Cowboys take the field for his first game that counts, against the defending champs on the road under the lights, is an entirely different story, but will just help build the intrigue between now and the season’s kickoff.

Another layer to this intrigue is that the Cowboys defense will also have a new approach thanks to their third straight defensive coordinator in three seasons. Matt Eberflus’ defense is different than Fangio’s, but does share a few similarities when it comes to not being blitz heavy. Like the Eagles have supported Fangio by bringing in ideal scheme fits at all three levels of the defense, the Cowboys have tried to do the same for their former linebackers coach returning as DC this offseason. They’ve used trades, free agent acquisitions, and five of their nine draft picks on defense.

Just like all eyes will be on how Schottenheimer solves for the Fangio defense and if any of the new faces on offense like George Pickens make a big enough difference, the Cowboys defense will also be tested out of the gate against Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Hurts will equally be breaking in with yet another new play-caller, as last year’s OC and former Cowboy Kellen Moore is now the head coach in New Orleans. Kevin Patullo is the new play-caller in Philadelphia, promoted from being passing game coordinator and associate head coach. Which team helps their quarterback more in this matchup, or makes life that much more difficult on the opposing quarterback, could very well decide who starts 1-0.

If this all holds, this year’s kickoff will also be the first Prescott versus Hurts matchup since December of 2023. As is always the case in the NFL, familiar faces like quarterbacks are surrounded by plenty of new players and coaches on a year-to-year basis, and Cowboys-Eagles coming up in September is no different. There are some rivalries that run as deep as just the colors on the uniforms though, and despite all these new faces between the lines and with a headset on the sidelines, the intensity of Cowboys/Eagles should be felt from the jump.

Teams from the NFC East will appear on Thursday Night Football three times this season not counting the Thursday opener in Philly, Sunday Night Football seven times (this time, counting the opener as a “special presentation” of SNF - we know, it’s weird), Monday Night Football six times, a head-to-head matchup in Washington on Christmas against Dallas, and the Eagles on Black Friday as well as Cowboys on Thanksgiving of course. There is a lot of national interest in a division that hasn’t had a repeat winner since 2003-04, and with that, widespread interest in the inaugural season for Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys. That interest will start with Schottenheimer immediately trying to show a very tangible sign of progress from his handling of the Cowboys offense compared to the coach he’s replacing, having a better game plan for Vic Fangio.

The countdown to “Philly week” around The Star and “Dallas week” around Philadelphia is already underway.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ngio-mike-mccarthy-dak-prescott-klayton-adams

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Why the Cowboys should seriously consider giving George Pickens an extension now

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys should really consider giving George Pickens an extension now.

The dust has firmly settled on the Dallas Cowboys trading for wide receiver George Pickens and it feels fair to say that we have all moved on to the point of excitement for what he can offer this football team.

Pickens will hopefully serve as a rising tide to lift the boats of CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, whoever the starting or most-used running back winds up being, and obviously of Dak Prescott. That he is only 24 years old, as of just two months ago, suggests that this can be the case for the foreseeable future as well.

This is likely part of the logic that led the Cowboys to calling the Pittsburgh Steelers and agreeing to give up their third-round pick (in terms of the major asset spent). It stands to reason that the Cowboys made the move with the assumption that they and Pickens would be working together for a long time.

So they should pay him now.

The Cowboys should give George Pickens an extension now​

One of the cons, if you will, to spending a third-round pick on Pickens is that 2025 is the final year of his rookie contract. You are giving away a top 100 selection for a player who, if he is in fact going to be around past this season, you now have to pay top dollar for.

This is a conundrum that would exist for any NFL team to be clear, but it isn’t picking on the Cowboys to say that they have handled this exact type of situation poorly in recent history. Look at CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott (multiple times), Micah Parsons currently or anybody else who you want to name as examples. Proactivity is not something that Dallas prioritizes relative to contract extensions for their players.

When we have conversations around those types of things the word leverage often comes up. Players obtain more leverage against the Cowboys because the team allows them to get so close to free agency and the players can then weaponize that in the name of getting the best deal possible for them. Tale as old as time.

Examining the spirit of leverage when it comes to George Pickens, the Cowboys have already given him and his representation a lot. They spent a third-round pick to get him as he enters a contract year, which as we spent some time discussing up top, suggests that they have no plans of him leaving elsewhere. So why not nip that in the bud right now?

From a logistical standpoint the Pickens trade has reminded me, and many others, of the Philadelphia Eagles acquiring A.J. Brown when the 2021 NFL Draft began. Philly spent a first-rounder to land Brown and clearly the move has worked out for them. But what is notable about that whole sequence is that the first thing the Eagles did was give Brown an extension to tie him to their organization for the future. They did this before he ever played a down for them. Why? Because you don’t trade a premium pick for someone who you don’t plan on being around and the earlier you pay, the better the rate you get.

Is there a situation that you can conceive where all of these things come to pass?

• Pickens has an exceptional season for the Cowboys
• The team has incredible success, largely because of this
• He signs a deal with the team in the offseason (weeks before entering the open market) that is beneficial to the team from a financial standpoint

The answer to the question is no. These things cannot coexist with one another. If the first two things happen, which is our collective hope by the way, then the team will be kicking themselves for not getting ahead of the curve on an extension (another tale as old as time).

For context, I would not have made the Pickens trade but am obviously rooting for it to succeed. Given that the trade is complete, the immediate thought was that an extension makes sense. Not getting it done feels like wandering down the same path that we have been yelling at the front office to avoid. When sharing those thoughts, one popular response is that Dallas could get a third-round compensatory pick for Pickens if he walks so an extension isn’t anything to worry about.

While this is certainly possible in a literal sense, it is important to also contextualize that possibility. In order for Dallas to get a third-round comp pick for Pickens the following things would all have to (generally speaking) happen as well.

• Pickens would have to play moderately to very well
• Dallas would have to let him walk in free agency
• Team X would have to pay him something substantial (which would suggest he did in fact play very well)
• The Cowboys would have to sit idly by in free agency (which we don’t want)

Even if all of these things happened, the comp pick in question would not come until 2027. By that point in time the Cowboys could have benefited from another season of Pickens’ play if it is to the level that we are all hoping and predicting. This feels like a mirage of a carrot.

Ultimately this all comes down to whether or not the Cowboys believe Pickens to be a player worth having around at a serious price. They have already signaled that to a serious degree by trading for him with the price they paid on top of the contract situation he is currently in.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...e-contract-extension-draft-picks-compensatory

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

It’s been a while since the Cowboys drafted a late-round gem

Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Which of this year’s Day 3 draft picks are you most excited about?

It’s been a while since the Cowboys found a starter, or even a key role player, with one of their sixth- or seventh-round draft picks. This didn’t used to be so unusual in Dallas, but lately, it’s been a dry spell. Hopefully, one of their 2025 late-round rookies will end the drought.

You can quickly get into a semantics argument about the term “late-round pick,” with some arguing that fifth-rounders or even all Day 3 picks qualify. And even if we did include fifth-round picks, you wouldn’t have much to show from recent history beyond CB DaRon Bland. The jury’s still out on guys like Asim Richards and Caelen Carson. But for today, we’re focusing on those final two rounds.

When the Cowboys go to training camp this year, only Donovan Wilson and Israel Mukuamu will be late-round guys who aren’t still on their original contracts. And from that latter group, there’s nobody left from 2022 and only Deuce Vaughn and Jalen Brooks from 2023. Ryan Flournoy and Nathan Thomas are still here from last year’s draft. So is Justin Rogers, but only after not making it past final cuts, spending most of last year on the Bengals’ practice squad, and getting poached by Dallas in late December.

Obviously, none of these guys outside of Wilson is a starter or even expected to play a major role this season. Right now, most of them are on the roster bubble at best. This isn’t a surprise for most late-round picks, but it’s unfortunate that the Cowboys haven’t found more from their McCarthy-era drafts.

Before 2020, we generally came away with a least one useful player from the sixth and seventh rounds. The most notable during Jason Garrett’s tenure was CB Anthony Brown in 2016, who stuck around for seven years and started 69 games. We also got S Kavon Frazier that year, who played out his rookie deal in a backup role. 2017 brought S Xavier Woods, who started nearly every game during his four years. Special teams ace Dwayne Harris came in 2011, as did memorable offensive role players like Geoff Swaim (2015) and James Hanna (2012) at tight end and Noah Brown (2017) and Cedrick Wilson (2018) at receiver. Even guys who didn’t stick long in Dallas, like CB Terrance Mitchell (2014) and DT Sean Lissemore (2010), found traction with other teams after leaving.

If not for back and neck injuries which cut his career short, 2013 sixth-round pick DeVonte Holloman might have been the best of the bunch. He looked like a budding playmaker at linebacker when he did get on the field as a rookie, but a preseason neck injury in 2014 led to his early retirement and one of the sadder “we’ll never know” stories.

So yeah, we either used to be better at finding late-round talent or at least had better luck with them. Either way, it’d be nice to get back to it with these 2025 picks. Several are poised to play significant roles, perhaps even as rookies, if they can hit the ground running.

Take sixth-round OL Ajani Cornelius. While we’re not looking for him to challenge Tyler Guyton or Terence Steele for their starting jobs, could he make a push for swing tackle? Asim Richards has the job right now by default, and it’d be nice to more competitive there. If Cornelius can provide versatile depth at tackle and guard, that can help Dallas with its roster decisions come August.

Many are excited about seventh-round RB Phil Mafah’s potential as the thunder to Jaydon Blue’s lightning. Outside of FB Hunter Luepke, whose value as a ball carrier is still questionable, no other current option has a real power game. Mafah could be very important in certain game situations, rounding out the depth chart with his strengths.

DT Jay Toia could be Dallas’ leading nose tackle right out of the gate. Mazi Smith will still have a say in that, but Toia comes out of college with more experience and natural fitness for the role. If Smith gets recast in Matt Eberflus’ scheme, or perhaps falls out of favor completely, Toia could be asked to handle some heavy burdens early. His fellow seventh-rounder, Tommy Akingbesote, could also be competitive at what’s currently a thin DT depth chart.

Even before the last five years, there were plenty of late-round picks who we saw little to nothing from. For every good name we mentioned before there were even more like Jalen Jelks, Mike Weber, Markques White, Darius Jackson, Rico Gathers, Mark Nzeocha, Ben Gardner, Caleb McSurdy, and others who came and went. That’s the norm for sixth- and seventh-rounders, but at least with all those misses we usually had at least one hit every year or two. Hopefully, this 2025 group will help get our batting average back up.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...an-wilson-ajani-cornelius-phil-mafah-jay-toia

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys 2025 UDFA scouting report: CB Bruce Harmon

Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Here is our report on cornerback Bruce Harmon

We finish looking into this year’s undrafted free agent signings made by the Dallas Cowboys with a scouting report on cornerback Bruce Harmon from Stephen F. Austin.

Bruce Harmon​

CB
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Senior
2-star recruit
6’0”
200 lbs

History​

Bruce Harmon, a redshirt senior cornerback for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, hails from Rockwall, Texas, where he attended Rockwall-Heath High School. During his high school career, Harmon showcased his athleticism and football IQ, earning attention from several collegiate programs. He received offers from Air Force, Incarnate Word, Missouri State, and Division II Henderson State before committing to Stephen F. Austin. Rated a two-star recruit, Harmon brought a competitive edge and versatility to the Lumberjacks’ secondary.

In 2019, Harmon saw limited action, appearing in four games. He recorded just one total tackle and gained initial experience at the collegiate level.

In a season shortened by the pandemic in 2020, Harmon played in seven games. He led the team with three interceptions and contributed four pass breakups. His standout performance included a season-high five tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup against Angelo State. He also notched two interceptions against Abilene Christian the following week.

The next year, Harmon played in all 12 games, amassing 27 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. He tied for third on the team with two interceptions and six pass breakups. Additionally, he recorded one blocked kick, demonstrating his special teams prowess.

Continuing his consistent play, Harmon appeared in all 11 games in 2022. He tallied 24 total tackles and one tackle for loss. He added seven pass breakups and two interceptions to his stat line, earning a spot on the All-WAC Third Team for his contributions.

In 2023, Harmon maintained his role as a key defensive back, playing in ten games for SFA. He recorded 20 total tackles and made nine pass breakups. He also secured one interception, continuing to be a reliable presence in the secondary.

In the 2024 season, Harmon concluded his collegiate career at Stephen F. Austin with a strong performance as a redshirt senior cornerback. He played in ten games, recording 15 solo tackles and six assists. He also added one pass breakup and added one interception to his stat line. Notably, he was named to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist, highlighting his status as a good FCS defensive back prospect.

2024 Statistics​

416 Defensive Snaps
231 Coverage Snaps
21 Total Tackles
1 INT
3 Pass Breakups
71.3 Passer Rating Allowed
46% Completion Rate Allowed
0 Penalties

NFL Combine/Pro Day​

N/A

Awards​

All-WAC Third Team (2023)

Scorecard​

Speed- 71
Acceleration- 77
Agility- 67
Strength- 68
Tackling- 59
Run Defense- 66
Zone Coverage- 65
Man Coverage- 60
Press- 67
Discipline- 80

THE GOOD​

• Times his jumps for pass breakups effectively.
• Six-year collegiate career with plenty of experience on defense and special teams.
• Shows strong awareness in zone and understanding of route combinations.
• Plays with strength and control, especially against mid-sized and bigger targets.
• Comfortable in both man and zone schemes.
• Doesn’t shy away from contact in run support.
• Reliable open-field tackler.

THE BAD​

• Lacks top-end speed for the position.
• Will struggle with NFL-level burners on deep routes.
• Not overly twitchy, has average recovery speed when initially beaten.
• Struggles against sharp route runners in off-man coverage.
• Can get a bit stiff in the hips when flipping to run vertically.
• Footwork can occasionally lag against sudden double moves.
• Played in the WAC against FCS opponents; step up to NFL talent will be significant.

UDFA HIGHLIGHTS
Bruce Harmon
CB
Stephen F. Austin#DallasCowboys #Cowboys #NFLDraft2025 #Lumberjacks pic.twitter.com/FndHFhPvm4

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) May 13, 2025​

THE FIT​

Bruce Harmon is a seasoned, instinctive cornerback who brings physicality and ball production to the secondary. Over his six-year collegiate career at Stephen F. Austin, he consistently demonstrated sharp instincts in coverage. His size allows him to match up well against bigger receivers, and he excels in press coverage where his strength and hand placement are assets. Harmon’s tackling is reliable, especially in open space, and he brings a high football IQ thanks to his extensive experience. He’s also contributed on special teams, adding value beyond defense.

While Harmon is technically sound and physical, he lacks elite athletic traits that may limit his upside at the next level. His top-end speed and burst are average, making him susceptible to separation from faster receivers on deep routes. He doesn’t have the kind of twitch or fluid hips seen in high-end man coverage corners, which could be exposed against polished NFL route runners. Having played six years in college, his developmental window is narrower than younger prospects, and his transition from FCS to the NFL will require an extremely steep learning curve.

Given the current roster dynamics, Harmon’s projection leans towards securing a spot on the practice squad, but for a player like Harmon this is a monumental task and will require some serious standout performances at training camp. His time in Oxnard will be crucial in determining his place within the Cowboys’ defensive plans, but a lot of focus will be on Shavon Revel Jr. and the health of Trevor Diggs.

COMPARISON:​

Chris Westry, Dallas Cowboys

BTB GRADE:​

N/A

CONSENSUS RANKING:​

N/A
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-udfa-scouting-report-cornerback-bruce-harmon

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

2025 Cowboys will potentially face 17 quarterbacks with a combined 64 years of NFL experience

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

How many young QBs will the Cowboys face this season?

The Dallas Cowboys’ week two opponent, the New York Giants, traded up into the first round of the draft just a few weeks ago to select QB Jaxson Dart. The understanding in New York is that Russell Wilson is the likely starter - head coach Brian Daboll, speaking to reporters, said that Wilson “will be our starter” as they began OTAs - but the Jaxson Dart excitement is building in New York.

This week, NBCSports analyst Chris Simms said he ‘would not be shocked’ if Jaxson Dart is Giants’ Week 1 starter.

If this happens, there could be up to nine rookie or second-year quarterbacks starting in week one. The table below summarizes the QBs penciled in as the presumptive starters on the Ourlads.com depth charts (with Dart getting the nod over Wilson in New York) along with their NFL experience in years.

[td] AFC ​ ​ ​

[td] NFC​ ​ ​

AFC East

BUF

MIA

NE

NYJ

AFC North

BAL

CIN

PIT

CLE

AFC South

HOU

IND

JAC

TEN

AFC West

KC

LAC

DEN

LV

​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Josh Allen​

[/td]​

[td]

7​

[/td]​

[td]

Tua Tagovailoa​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

Drake Maye​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

Justin Fields​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Lamar Jackson​

[/td]​

[td]

7​

[/td]​

[td]

Joe Burrow​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

Mason Rudolph​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

Joe Flacco​

[/td]​

[td]

17​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

C.J. Stroud​

[/td]​

[td]

2​

[/td]​

[td]

Anthony Richardson​

[/td]​

[td]

3​

[/td]​

[td]

Trevor Lawrence​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

Cameron Ward​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Patrick Mahomes​

[/td]​

[td]

8​

[/td]​

[td]

Justin Herbert​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

Bo Nix​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

Geno Smith​

[/td]​

[td]

11​

[/td]​

​

[/td]

NFC East

PHI

WAS

DAL

NYG

NFC North

DET

GB

MIN

CHI

NFC South

TB

ATL

CAR

NO

NFC West

SF

LAR

ARI

SEA

​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Jalen Hurts​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

Jayden Daniels​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

Dak Prescott​

[/td]​

[td]

9​

[/td]​

[td]

Jaxson Dart​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Jared Goff​

[/td]​

[td]

9​

[/td]​

[td]

Jordan Love​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

J.J. McCarthy​

[/td]​

[td]

1*​

[/td]​

[td]

Caleb Williams​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Baker Mayfield​

[/td]​

[td]

7​

[/td]​

[td]

Michael Penix​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

Bryce Young​

[/td]​

[td]

2​

[/td]​

[td]

Tyler Shough​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Exp​

[/td]​

[td]

Brock Purdy​

[/td]​

[td]

3​

[/td]​

[td]

Matthew Stafford​

[/td]​

[td]

16​

[/td]​

[td]

Kyler Murray​

[/td]​

[td]

6​

[/td]​

[td]

Sam Darnold​

[/td]​

[td]

7​

[/td]​

​

[/td]

​

Greybeard Joe Flacco is the presumptive starter in Cleveland, which means the AFC North QBs have 34 years of combined NFL experience, the highest total of any division in the league. Add a potential Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh, and that number would climb to 49, clearly outpacing the NFC West (32 years) and AFC West (25).

At the other end of the spectrum, the AFC South features a rookie in Tennessee, two guys entering their third seasons in Houston and Indianapolis, and four-year veteran Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. Combined NFL experience: eight years.

All of this got me wondering: How many young QBs will the Cowboys face this season? Turns out, a lot!

Here’s the Cowboys’ 2025 schedule, including the projected starting QBs and their respective NFL experience in years:

@	Eagles	Jalen Hurts

[td]

Week​

[/td]​

[td]

Opponent​

[/td]​

[td]

QB​

[/td]​

[td]

Experience​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

2​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Giants​

[/td]​

[td]

Jaxson Dart​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

[td]

3​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Bears​

[/td]​

[td]

Caleb Williams​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Packers​

[/td]​

[td]

Jordan Love​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Jets​

[/td]​

[td]

Justin Fields​

[/td]​

[td]

4​

[/td]​

[td]

6​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Panthers​

[/td]​

[td]

Bryce Young​

[/td]​

[td]

2​

[/td]​

[td]

7​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Commanders​

[/td]​

[td]

Jayden Daniels​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

8​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Broncos​

[/td]​

[td]

Bo Nix​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

9​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Cardinals​

[/td]​

[td]

Kyler Murray​

[/td]​

[td]

6​

[/td]​

[td]

10​

[/td]​

[td]

Bye Week​

[/td]​

[td]

11​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Raiders​

[/td]​

[td]

Geno Smith​

[/td]​

[td]

11​

[/td]​

[td]

12​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Eagles​

[/td]​

[td]

Jalen Hurts​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

13​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Chiefs​

[/td]​

[td]

Patrick Mahomes​

[/td]​

[td]

8​

[/td]​

[td]

14​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Lions​

[/td]​

[td]

Jared Goff​

[/td]​

[td]

9​

[/td]​

[td]

15​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Vikings​

[/td]​

[td]

J.J. McCarthy​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

[td]

16​

[/td]​

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

Chargers​

[/td]​

[td]

Justin Herbert​

[/td]​

[td]

5​

[/td]​

[td]

17​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Commanders​

[/td]​

[td]

Jayden Daniels​

[/td]​

[td]

1​

[/td]​

[td]

18​

[/td]​

[td]

@​

[/td]​

[td]

Giants​

[/td]​

[td]

Jaxson Dart​

[/td]​

[td]

0​

[/td]​

​

A lot can happen between now and Week 1, but going by the data above, the Cowboys would face seven opponents whose quarterback is either a rookie or a second-year guy. Four other teams do as well (Raiders, Giants, Eagles, and Packers), but when you add up the QB experience of each team’s opponents, the Cowboys play 17 games against quarterbacks with a combined 64 years of NFL experience, the lowest value in the league.

Notwithstanding what the Giants are trying to sell us about Jaxson Dart sitting behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston being “beneficial,” the days where teams would groom a young quarterback for a couple of years seem to be mostly behind us. The fact that a good quarter of the 32 starting QBs this season could end up being players with a year or less of NFL experience on opening weekend signals that the way the NFL operates has changed.

These days, young quarterbacks are thrown into the NFL waters immediately, and they either sink or swim. It’s learning by doing instead of learning by sitting. In each of the last two years, three rookie QBs started for their team on opening weekend. In 2023, 10 rookie quarterbacks started at least one game over the course of the season, setting a new NFL record.

Expectations for the young QBs in the league may be at the highest level they’ve ever been. So this is a good time to remember that Offensive Rookie of the Year performances like those from Jayden Daniels (2024) or C.J. Stroud (2023) are the exception, not the rule.

This year, three rookies could end up starting at quarterback in Week 1. Cam Ward in Tennessee looks like a lock, Tyler Shough currently looks like the favorite in New Orleans, and Jaxson Dart in New York is also a possibility.

It’s not going to be pretty for those young QBs, and a good defense will make them pay their NFL dues. Let’s hope the Cowboys are one of those defenses.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...acks-schedule-2025-jaxson-dart-russell-wilson

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Why the Cowboys must sign either Micah Parsons or DaRon Bland before the season starts

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys have to start getting extensions taken care of.

The Dallas Cowboys have spent a lot of money this offseason. Between re-signing their own free agents, signing outside free agents, and making trades, the team has allocated almost $70 million to their 2025 budget for the services of those players (see the full breakdown here).

With all the activity that has taken place, there still remains one business matter needing attention, and that is re-signing their star edge rusher, Micah Parsons. The team’s 2021 first-round draft pick is still under contract through the 2025 season thanks to the team exercising his fifth-year option last year. All signs are pointing to a lucrative contract extension at some point before the new season begins. Stephen Jones has communicated to the media that a deal will eventually happen, but didn’t elaborate on when that would be. When everyone’s ready, it’ll happen.

One might think that the urgency to get a deal done falls upon the front office since they don’t want him to hit the open market next offseason. There’s no chance the Cowboys will allow that to happen. However, unlike Dak Prescott a year ago, the team still has an ace up their sleeve to keep Parsons in Dallas another season. And that ace is the franchise tag.

If the Cowboys aren’t able to get a deal done this year, the team can choose to slap the franchise tag on him next offseason. This move would most likely serve as a placeholder to keep him off the market and allow them to mid July of next year to finalize a long-term deal. Parsons’ annual cost would be cheaper than his average annual cost of a new deal because the tag price is an average of the top five salaries of players at his position, versus a cost that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. His full tag price would count against the cap, whereas his first-year cap cost would be much cheaper if he signed a new deal.

We would all just as soon have them get the deal done and over with, but the franchise tag next offseason is certainly an option available to them. However, that route becomes far less appealing if there is another player who might also be a candidate for the franchise tag. And there could be if the team also chooses not to re-sign DaRon Bland.

The Cowboys keeping Parsons is a foregone conclusion. What they do with Bland remains a bit of a mystery. Bland burst on the scene in his second season with an impressive nine interceptions, five of which were returned for touchdowns. He missed part of last year with a foot injury, but was solid despite not filling up the highlight reel anywhere close to his big 2023 season.

The team already extended Trevon Diggs a couple of years ago, but a grey cloud of doubt has crept over his future as the All-Pro has struggled to stay healthy. The team soon may have to choose which of their All-Pro corners they want to hang on to and part ways with the other one. If that’s the case, which one do they pick?

That question is a lot harder to answer now than it would be after the season, which is why it could be wise for the team to have the franchise tag as an option next offseason. If the team already knows they want to keep Bland, then they should work on an extension before the new season starts. If they want to wait and see and give them more time to choose between him and Diggs, then waiting is the way to go. The only thing that muddles the water is not re-signing Bland or Parsons, forcing two key defensive players into free agency with only one franchise tag at their disposal. That would cause an unnecessary predicament.

This dilemma can easily be avoided if they just extend one or the other. Parsons is the obvious choice because we all know he’s returning, and the only thing holding it up is the song and dance hoopla that seems to accompany any Jerry Jones contract extension these days. Sign Parsons this summer and save the tag option for Bland, where the added flexibility could be put to good use.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...parsons-daron-bland-2025-season-franchise-tag

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys pre-training camp rookie projection: RB Jaydon Blue

Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jaydon Blue’s role in the offense is going to be fascinating to figure out.

It was a bit of a surprise when the Cowboys got through the first two days of the 2025 NFL draft without addressing the running back position. They finally addressed the position with Texas’ running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth round.

Blue was a dynamic threat in the backfield for the Longhorns in 2024, but played primarily in a rotation with freshman running back Jerrick Gibson. Blue was also one of the most explosive backs in the 2025 class, but his size, physicality, and fumbling concerns had him fall into day three despite his tremendous upside.

Let’s take a look at what Blue did in 2024 and project out what he could do in 2025 in Dallas.

2024 Stats:
Games Played: 15
Carries: 134
Rushing Yards: 730
Yards Per Carry: 5.4
Rushing Touchdowns: 8
Receptions: 42
Receiving Yards: 368
Receiving Touchdowns: 6

As proven in his stats from 2024, Blue’s ability to impact the running and passing game was evident on tape. His speed, elusiveness, and crisp route running should have him involved early in the Cowboys offense. Whether that is a starting role or not is still to be seen, but now let’s project out what his rookie season could look like in Dallas.

2025 Projection:
Carries: 95
Rushing Yards: 525
Yards Per Carry: 5.5
Rushing Touchdowns: 4
Receptions: 18
Receiving Yards: 152
Receiving Touchdowns: 2

There is a really strong chance the Cowboys 2025 rushing plan goes similar to the 2024 rushing plan. As it stands today, it sounds like JaVonte Williams will get the first crack at starting reps heading into camp, similar to Ezekiel Elliott in 2024. With Williams projected to start the season off getting the bulk of the carries, expect Blue’s start of the season to be a bit underwhelming. But similar to 2024, do not be surprised if by week six or seven, we start seeing a bit more of Jaydon Blue and his breakout really begins.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...rojection-running-back-jaydon-blue-draft-pick

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Multiple receivers with 1,000 yards is a rare thing in Cowboys franchise history

Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens going for 1,000 yards each is no guarantee.

Imaginations have run fully wild. When the Dallas Cowboys traded for wide receiver George Pickens, the floor for the offense as a whole was immediately raised. Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo will all have easier lives because of Pickens’ presence, but outside of the quarterback there is no one who will benefit more than CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb and Pickens appeared to be getting along well at a softball game last weekend for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s foundation, and once more minds began to race at the idea of these two receivers suddenly sharing an offense. When it comes to prolific NFL pass-catching duos, a common goal is for them each to have 1,000 receiving yards.

In the current era of football, particularly with how long the regular season has become, having two 1,000-yard WRs is more possible than ever. Comparing it to the past requires context, but you get the overall point here. If Lamb and Pickens were to each go for 1,000 receiving yards, then we would likely consider the season a success in that particular way (obviously there is lot more to the hypothetical).

This is not as easy of a thing as you think, at least in Cowboys history.

A wide receiver duo has each reached 1,000 yards only three times in franchise history​

Thanks to our friends at Stathead we can quite easily search for something this specific. A couple of quick clicks tells us that there are seven years in which the Cowboys had multiple players reach 1,000 receiving yards.

That word matters, though. Players.

• 1979: Drew Pearson and Tony Hill
• 2006: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn
• 2007: Terrell Owens and Jason Witten
• 2009: Miles Austin and Jason Witten
• 2010: Miles Austin and Jason Witten
• 2012: Dez Bryant and Jason Witten
• 2019: Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup

Jason Witten’s name appears here on four occasions which means that a wide receiver duo specifically has only done this three times in franchise history. By the way, it is remarkable how it was happening with such regularity throughout the Tony Romo era. He and Witten both remain perennially underrated.

The 2019 season was the last one in which the Cowboys franchise played without Lamb being a part of it. Diluting the point to talk about yards specifically isn’t wise either, but this whole exercise partly shows how Lamb has not had a proper running mate to work opposite of him which is why we are all so excited.

Speaking as a whole across the entire NFL, this phenomenon doesn’t happen as often as you might think. There are certainly instances of it occurring since Dallas last did it themselves in 2019 with a handful of teams doing it each year since.

Stathead

Individually, Lamb has reached the 1,000-yard mark in each of his last four seasons (he came 65 yards shy as a rookie) where Pickens did it only in 2023 (obviously his sample size is smaller).

While there is only one ball and we can make the argument for this overall thing not happening more often as a result of it the talent on the field (or lack of it) is a huge factor. That goes without saying.

Consider what happens if we lower the bar for success in this particular discussion. If we search for the last time that the Cowboys had multiple players hit 900 yards in a season then our answer is 2020 when Lamb did it alongside Amari Cooper. If we lower the bar one more time and look for the last time multiple players hit 800 yards then our answer is 2021 when Cooper and Lamb were joined by Dalton Schultz.

Think about that. The Cowboys have gone three straight seasons in which only a single player (an incredible one in CeeDee Lamb) had 800 receiving yards. An addition like Pickens has been overdue for some time, but this all really underscores that.

Whether or not George Pickens has 1,000 receiving yards is not going to be what matters the most. But if he does reach that point, it certainly will not hurt.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...eorge-pickens-1000-yard-receiving-season-rare

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Bold prediction: Cowboys' RB Jaydon Blue will have 1,000 all-purpose yards as a rookie

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

How many total yards are you expecting for Jaydon Blue in 2025?

In large part due to the depth at running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys may have landed the most explosive and elusive RB in the entire draft class when they selected Jaydon Blue in the fifth-round (149th overall).

The former Texas Longhorns RB is a little diminutive by NFL standards, coming in at just 5'9", 196-pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed and elusiveness. It's those two traits that could earn him an important and versatile role in Dallas' offense this season.

We could sit here and throw all kinds of stats at you to show the Cowboys offense lacked explosive plays a season ago, but what's the point? We all know they struggled picking up chunk plays last year in both the passing and running game. If Jaydon Blue is the player we believe he is, lack of explosive plays should be a thing of the past.

While it's true its way too early to know what kind of role Blue will play with the Cowboys in his rookie season, we still believe he could be a big part of the game plan on a week-to-week basis. In fact, we're going to make the bold prediction he amasses 1,000 all-purpose yards in his first season in the NFL.

With weapons the Cowboys now have in the passing game (CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson) and the belief the offensive line will be much improved this year, things set up perfectly for Blue to blow up the stat line this season as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

We base this line of thinking mostly around what Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane was able accomplish in his rookie season. He rushed for a total of 800 yards on 103 carries and caught 27 passes for 197 yards, finishing three measly yards shy of 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2023.

Achane was able to accomplish all of that after playing a 11 total games as a rookie, starting only four of those contest. In his first year with the Dolphins he played a little over a quarter of the offensive snaps (27.32%), which could be similar to how the Cowboys plan on utilizing Blue in his rookie year.

The reason we believe Achane is a good comparison for Blue is because they are almost mirror images of one another as far as physical attributes, talent, and size is concerned. The only real difference is Achane is about 10 pounds lighter than Blue's 5'9", 196 pounds. Other than that, they are both versatile, explosive playmakers out of the backfield.

It's definitely a bold assumption to believe Blue can replicate the success Achane accomplished as a rookie with little to no evidence as to how he will perform in the NFL, but that's the assumption we're making nonetheless. In fact, remember you heard it here first.

With Lamb and Pickens opening things up in the passing game and with an upgraded offensive line, things set up near perfectly for Blue to pileup yards this year as both a runner and receiver. Disagree if you must, but that's the bold prediction we're making right now and we're sticking to it.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ue-1000-all-purpose-yards-rookie-devon-achane

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys post-draft roster review: Tight ends

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Here is a look at the state of the Cowboys tight end group.

After the Dallas Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can see the vision for this year’s offense. Furthermore, when examining all the offensive skill positions, you start to notice how balanced the group has become. Tight end hasn’t had any major newcomers like wide receiver and running back, so it’s gone under the radar.

Yet, the depth, stability, and importance of the position cannot be undervalued. Dak Prescott loves utilizing his tight ends. As we’ve seen over the years, tight ends get better when playing alongside Prescott - like Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz. For the full success of the offense, tight end is a very important skill group. In continuing with our roster rundown series, we center our focus on the Cowboys’ tight ends.

Jake Ferguson ​

Upon being drafted in the fourth round in 2022, it took Ferguson a year to get acclimated at the NFL level. However, in year two Ferguson quickly established himself among a crowded tight end group before ultimately taking the TE1 role after Schultz’s departure to the Houston Texans. Ferguson took a huge step forward in his second season, with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. His 2023 efforts earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. Ferguson has the catch radius to make difficult grabs and can make plays after the catch due to his toughness to fight for extra yards. Ferguson missed three games last season and wasn’t the same after returning to the starting lineup. Ferguson enters the final year of his contract and is set up for a monster year at just the right time financially.

Luke Schoonmaker​

When Schoonmaker was drafted with the 58th overall pick in 2023, it drew the ire of fans. Recent history has shown that the Cowboys taking a tight end in the second round hasn’t panned out and the value of taking one in the second round hasn’t proven to be worth the investment. The decision was all the more puzzling because Ferguson was already on the roster and Prescott’s ability to get the most out of the position.

In Schoonmaker’s defense, he did boast an impressive athletic profile making him an enticing prospect. His RAS score was very impressive.

Luke Schoonmaker was drafted with pick 58 of round 2 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.86 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 16 out of 1105 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/Ml2B0eOGKS pic.twitter.com/ItzfUA2Sa2

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023​

Furthermore, could Schoonmaker be improving? Schoonmaker tripled his production in 2024 in terms of yards and receptions. He also improved his catch rate to 75% and had a 55.6 success rate, indicating he was making more meaningful plays. Schoonmaker may be starting to bloom before our eyes.

Brevyn Spann-Ford ​

The first thing that stands out about Brevyn Spann-Ford is his size. At 6’ 7”, 270 lbs. he’s the Cowboys blocking tight end. He was a standout at the University of Minnesota in that role, oftentimes looking like a slightly smaller offensive tackle. As a rookie he played in all 17 games, which is a pretty good feat. That said, he has to clean up some of his mistakes as a blocker where he occasionally misses assignments, which is correctable and expected for a young player. Spann-Ford isn’t just a blocker, he does offer some sneaky athletic upside with pretty good hands. He has a strong handle on his roster spot because he is the primary blocking tight end. The question now is can he demonstrate more in the preseason as a pass catcher?

John Stephens ​

John Stephens could be characterizes as a tight end who doesn’t offer much in the way of a blocker, but creates mismatches with his size and athleticism. During the 2023 offseason, Stephens was on his way to making the team before injuring his ACL.

Stephens was making highlight plays at training camp practices and was forcing a difficult decision for the coaches during the cutdown. Last season Stephens picked up where he left off and was having a great camp until he tore his ACL again. Stephens hopes the third time is the charm as he prepares for his third season with the team. He will get an extended look in the preseason to show that the injuries are behind him. He also has to contribute as a blocker and let’s pay attention to where he lines up in formations to track his development in transition from college wide receiver to NFL tight end.

Others​

Princeton Fant
Rivaldo Fairweather
Tyler Neville

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...e-ferguson-luke-schoonmaker-brevyn-spann-ford

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

NFC East news: Nick Sirianni will be around for a few more years after contract extension

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Here is the latest news from around the NFC East.

Eagles reach multi-year contract extension with Nick Sirianni - Dave Zangaro, NBC Sports Philadelphia​

Nick Sirianni will be in Philadelphia for years to come.

The Eagles and Super Bowl-winning head coach Nick Sirianni have agreed on a multi-year contract extension, the team announced on Monday afternoon.

Sirianni, 43, was set to enter the final year of his initial five-year contract in 2025 but is now locked up beyond this upcoming season.

“As an organization, we have always strived to create a championship culture of sustained success,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to fostering such an environment than having tremendous leadership.

“Nick has embodied everything we were looking for in a head coach since we hired him four years ago. His authentic style of leadership, football intelligence, passion for the game, and growth mindset have helped to bring out the best in our team. I am excited for what the future holds for the Philadelphia Eagles.”

In his four years as Eagles head coach, Sirianni has a 48-20 regular season record and has gotten the Eagles into the playoffs four times with two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory. Sirianni has a postseason record of 6-3, including a 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February.

While Sirianni was set to enter the final season of his contract in 2025, there was no doubt the Eagles were going to give him an extension at some point this offseason. Lurie basically said as much at the NFL’s annual meetings in early April and before the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

“Nick’s going to be our coach and we don’t talk publicly (about contracts), never have,” Lurie said earlier this offseason. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough that Nick will be our coach going forward and he’s done an outstanding job.”

What if Washington Commanders’ $18 million star is past his prime? - David Harrison, Commanders on SI​

A Commanders trade from last season is a big question mark this year.

Instead of signing big names in free agency, the Commanders’ GM opted to go out and spend some capital to get some, bringing in receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in the process.

While there are mixed opinions about what Washington is getting with those two, there’s another trade acquisition who might present the team with its biggest roster decision of 2025, at least according to Sports Illustrated’s John Pluym, who asks: What happens if Marshon Lattimore struggles?

“Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he’s struggled to stay healthy and it’s fair to wonder if his best days are behind him,” says Pluym. “Washington gave up a slew of draft picks for him at the trade deadline last year, including third-, fourth- and sixth-round selections. Lattimore has played only 26 games over the past three seasons, and should the Commanders release him, they’d save $34.5 million over the next two years with $2 million in dead money.”

Malik Nabers crashes NFL’s under-25 elite after meteoric rise - Matt Sidney, GMenHQ.com​

It turns out New York hit the nail on the head with last year’s first-round pick.

Malik Nabers’ rookie campaign was nothing short of sensational. Even during a miserable 3-14 season that felt like rock bottom for the New York Giants, Nabers gave fans a reason to tune in. While the rest of the offense was barely holding on, Nabers looked more like a tenured vet than some rookie. He proved he belonged and showed he could elevate an entire offense by himself.

Despite catching passes from a quarterback carousel that included Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle, Nabers still shattered the Giants’ single-season receptions record. His exceptional playmaking ability, route running, and dynamic run-after-catch ability saw him become one of the most electric receivers in the league.

Malik Nabers’ rookie campaign was nothing short of sensational. Even during a miserable 3-14 season that felt like rock bottom for the New York Giants, Nabers gave fans a reason to tune in. While the rest of the offense was barely holding on, Nabers looked more like a tenured vet than some rookie. He proved he belonged and showed he could elevate an entire offense by himself.

Despite catching passes from a quarterback carousel that included Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle, Nabers still shattered the Giants’ single-season receptions record. His exceptional playmaking ability, route running, and dynamic run-after-catch ability saw him become one of the most electric receivers in the league.

And that’s exactly why general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are building the offense around him—signing veterans like Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and drafting Jaxson Dart to find a long-term solution under center.

If the G-Men were looking for a reason to believe they could turn things around, Nabers is doing an awfully good job at convincing them.

Giants have a true superstar in Malik Nabers

Jonathon Macri of Pro Football Focus clearly sees what Giants fans have been screaming from the rooftops. In his latest ranking of the top 25 players under 25 heading into the 2025 season, Macri slotted Malik Nabers at No. 15 overall.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-eagles-malik-nabers-giants-marshon-lattimore

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

BTB Thursday Discussion: What is your most controversial Dallas Cowboys opinion right now?

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

What is the most controversial opinion you have about the Dallas Cowboys right now?

We all have opinions on the Dallas Cowboys. That is obvious.

It feels like we all agree on a lot of things, more than would potentially be the average. But there are certainly things that we disagree on. Maybe your disagreement has yourself in the minority. Perhaps you are among the masses. That is the magic of opinions.

For our discussion here today we want to know what you think your most controversial Dallas Cowboys opinion is at the moment. To be clear this does not necessarily mean something negative. You can think something in a positive way about the team, but you might be the only one who does. Basically we want to know what you think you are on an island about relative to the team.

When it comes to the Cowboys there are no shortage of controversial opinions so we are expecting some fun. Let us know your answer in the comments below!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ontroversial-dallas-cowboys-opinion-right-now

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Dallas Cowboys 2025 roster bubble review: Quarterbacks

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The state of the backup quarterbacks on the Cowboys will be worth watching.

In just two months, the Cowboys will start their 2025 training camp. Some players are already locked into their roles, but many will be in fights for their place on the depth chart, roster, or practice squad. For backup quarterbacks Will Grier and Joe Milton III, there’s a wide range of possibilities for their eventual landing spots.

Grier and Milton come into this competition from very different places in their careers. Grier is a 30-year-old, sixth-year veteran who’s bounced around the league for a while. He was a third-round pick in 2019 by the Panthers but never found traction there, partially due to a coaching change in 2020. But despite consistently staying employed at the bottom of various rosters and on practice squads, Grier’s last regular-season snap came in his rookie season.

Milton, a sixth-round pick just last year by New England, has obviously spent much less time in the league. But his 61 snaps from the one game he appeared in last season aren’t much less than Grier’s 87 from 2019. So while Grier does have valuable experience from many more training camps, preseasons, and other learning opportunities than Milton, they’re fairly even on actual real-game work.

While Grier does have experience with the Cowboys from 2021-2022, that was before Brian Schottenheimer’s arrival as offensive coordinator. So even there, his experience edge is limited. Grier was on the practice squad for the last two months of 2024, but that has minimal value now that Schottenheimer is head coach and nearly all of the assistants have changed.

A more meaningful difference between them is Dallas’ level of investment. Unsurprisingly, they were able to retain Grier this offseason with the league minimum. But after Milton’s bright flash in the 2024 season finale, the Cowboys sent one of their fifth-round picks this year to New England for the player and a seventh. That may not sound like much on the surface, but Dallas hasn’t typically used much draft capital on the quarterback position. They essentially made Milton one of their fifth-round picks this year, which is the most they’ve invested since making Dak Prescott a fourth-round pick in 2016.

Another key difference is playing style and how that fits into what Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams are looking to do offensively. Grier is your prototypical West Coast QB, a scrambler who can throw well on the run but without a big arm. Milton has all the arm strength you could want and plenty of athleticism to boot, but has always been knocked for his lack of accuracy. That looked better in his one game last year for New England, but it was a small sample size in a glorified preseason game during Week 18.

If the Cowboys offense is about to get more focused on the run and play-action, which the coaching changes and the drafting of G Tyler Booker indicate, then how these QBs do at throwing on the move will be a major factor in the competition. But more than anything, as we saw from Cooper Rush over the last four years, who can just grab his helmet and keep the offense moving when called upon? It’s one thing to go into a game knowing you’re starting, but who can keep his head on straight when QB1 just got helped off the field? That’s arguably the most important factor in who wins the backup job.

Right now, it feels pretty even between Will Grier and Joe Milton. Grier has the experience edge, both in total and with the team, while Milton’s athleticism and upside make him the better investment. And if another year of development has improved his accuracy and honed other skills, Milton can mitigate that experience gap easily. This will be one of the bubble battles to watch for training camp and the preseason.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ble-review-quarterbacks-joe-milton-will-grier

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys reasons to be positive for 2025: CeeDee Lamb

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

CeeDee Lamb is going to be so good in 2025.

The 2024 season left Dallas Cowboys fans deflated and feeling very pessimistic with the future for the team. But with the Reasons To Be Positive series we look to try and flip that around and find reasons that should give fans some inspiration and lay some sunlight after what was a very dark season in 2024. This installment looks at CeeDee Lamb.

CeeDee Lamb​

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

2024 Season stats:

Games - 15
Snaps - 824
Targets - 152
Receptions - 101
Rec Yards - 1,194
TDs - 6
YAC - 544
First Downs - 54
Drops - 11
Passer Rating When Targeted - 90.4

---

2025 Projected stats:

Targets - 160
Receptions - 110
Rec YDs - 1,320
TDs - 8

---

In the 2024 season, Lamb demonstrated his prowess by recording 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns over 15 games. This achievement marked his fourth 1,000-yard season in five years, underscoring his consistency and reliability as a top-tier wide receiver. Even while managing a shoulder injury sustained mid-season, Lamb’s dedication to the game remained evident.

Every WR with 3,000+ Receiving Yards over the past 2 seasons:

️ CeeDee Lamb
Amon-Ra St. Brown

That's it

(Including Playoffs) pic.twitter.com/Bk1j6PjdUD

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 12, 2025​

At 26, Lamb has emerged as a leader within the Cowboys’ roster. His professionalism and work ethic set a standard for teammates, fostering a culture of excellence. As the team navigates a new era under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Lamb’s influence will be instrumental in guiding younger players and shaping the team’s identity. He’s remained fairly quiet and not very outspoken in public or with the media proving he’s more of the “lead by example” type player and lets his on field production do the talking.

CeeDee Lamb was the first player to reach out to George Pickens when the news broke pic.twitter.com/XfkYkkGviN

— MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) May 21, 2025​

The addition of wide receiver George Pickens brings a fresh dynamic to the Cowboys’ offense. Both he and Lamb have talked about a willingness to work together, positioning themselves as co-primary receivers. This collaboration is set to enhance the passing game and reduce the defensive focus on Lamb, ultimately benefiting the team’s overall performance.

And the same situation can be said for the team’s running game. So much emphasis this offseason, and during the draft, to improve the offensive line and running back room shifts the defensive focus away from Lamb. With a better support cast at receiver and with more talent and depth at running back, Lamb is projected to receive less attention and play more freely. That can only mean one thing, more efficiency from the star receiver.

Most receiving yards against man coverage in 2024:

A.J. Brown - 534
CeeDee Lamb - 460
Calvin Ridley - 445 pic.twitter.com/LUrxVrV1pY

— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) March 19, 2025​

Outlook for 2025
With a proven track record, unwavering commitment, and a strengthened offensive cast, Lamb stands as a real beacon of hope for Cowboys fans. His presence promises not only individual accolades but also a strong team performance in the upcoming season. There’s confidence based on everything the front office has done to this Cowboys offense this year, as well as Lamb’s natural talent, that we’ll see Lamb finish as a top-five receiver this season. Only thing that’s stopping that from happening is injury.

CeeDee breaks free for a 65-yard Cowboys TD!

: #NOvsDAL on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/cQd9I9IwLg

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...orge-pickens-brian-schottenheimer-2025-roster

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys news: Dak Prescott discusses the Cee Dee Lamb-George Pickens duo

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here.

Dak Prescott excited to unveil elements CeeDee Lamb-George Pickens tandem brings Cowboys - Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News​

Prescott is gearing up for what could be the best tandem of wide receivers he's ever had.

FRISCO — You can tell when Dak Prescott is happy.

Check the football field and the Cowboys quarterback is throwing passes with a smile, knowing whose catching them.

Check the locker room when Prescott is raving about the talent running routes for him.

The Cowboys traded for George Pickens this offseason, giving them a dynamic wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb and a potential near-unstoppable force for their offense.

“Huge. Huge. Yeah, very huge,” Prescott said of adding Pickens. “I mean looking at [the] guy’s tape, you see what he does, the kind of receiver he is. He’s going to win on one on ones. He can win two vs. one if he has to. Very, very talented guy. When you can add him alongside a CeeDee and the rest of the weapons we have, I’m super excited.”

In the last three seasons, no receiver has caught more passes than Lamb. He’s caught 343 passes over 49 games. Lamb has also picked up the third-most receiving yards (4,302) and fifth-most touchdowns (27) from 2022 to 2024.

Over that same time span in 48 games, Pickens has 2,841 receiving yards with 174 catches. Pickens brings speed and length to an offense that averaged 21.3 points per game with Prescott at quarterback before his injury in the eighth game of the 2024 season.

A healthy Prescott, with an improved running attack and combined with Pickens and Lamb, is dangerous for defenses.

Javonte Williams feels like himself again, excited by Cowboys' playmakers - Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com ​

This is a good sign for the Cowboys likely RB1 to start the season.

FRISCO, Texas – Three years removed from an serious ACL, LCL and posterior lateral corner injury that he suffered in 2022, Javonte Williams arrives in Dallas feeling fully healthy and ready to produce for the Cowboys offense.

“I feel completely like myself…” Williams said. “I probably can get more flexible and things like that, but as far as healing up, that I feel like is done.”

In the two seasons he’s played following the injury for the Broncos, Williams posted 1,861 yards of offense to go along with nine touchdowns in 33 games. Everyone’s road to recovery is different, and now that he’s feeling back to himself, Williams is looking to prove himself once again.

“It just depends on who you are, it depends on your body… mine might take this amount of time, but somebody else might be different,” Williams said when asked about his recovery.

“It’s a lot that goes into it that people don’t really understand. Just to be back out here and have another opportunity and chance to show myself, I can’t ask for nothing else.”

In the early goings of OTAs, Williams has been taking a majority of the first team reps at running back. There are a lot of bodies in the room for the Cowboys, and it’s still early to tell how the Cowboys’ rushing attack will shape out.

“They didn’t really tell me too much about that stuff, all I know is just come in here and work every day, and everything else is going to take care of itself,” Williams said. “I’m not really big on the expectations and goals and stuff like that, I just go out and play well.”

In year of transition, Cowboys need Dak Prescott’s best, on and off the field - Saad Yousuf, The Athletic ​

2025 is a critical season for Dak Prescott.

Although the upcoming season may feel like a continuation for Prescott, it’s going to be a big step in his career. When Prescott entered the NFL, he talked about how crucial All-Pro center Travis Frederick was to the quarterback’s growth and instant success. Frederick, Smith and Martin took care of everything up front, from blocking to setting protections, so it was one less thing on Prescott’s plate.

This season, four of Prescott’s five projected starting offensive linemen have less than four years of NFL experience, including rookie Tyler Booker and second-year players Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe. Terence Steele, the senior member of the unit up front, entered the league in 2020. Whereas the offensive line once brought along Prescott, it’s now on him, especially after Martin’s retirement, to bring along the offensive line.

A similar sentiment holds true with the wide receiver group. Since Prescott’s third year in the NFL, the wide receiver room has featured the veteran leadership of Amari Cooper or Brandin Cooks in all but one season. Now, Lamb, who turned 26 years old last month and just completed his rookie deal, is the elder statesman of the position. Lamb is an unquestionably elite talent. Now, he’s tasked with tightening things up and carrying a group that includes Pickens, who has a checkered past but will be crucial to any success the Cowboys have in 2025.

Cowboys need latest reclamation project to pay off in order to field viable secondary - Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire​

Dallas will see their entire secondary elevate if Kaiir Elam plays well.

Cornerback is a position where the Dallas Cowboys could still use some help, despite OTAs kicking off this week. Injuries and questions about where each corner can and will line up has the position in flux. To try and combat those shortcomings, the team added pieces in the offseason, including trading for veteran Kaiir Elam, a former first-round pick.

Elam was highly regarded coming out of college, leading the Buffalo Bills to select him with the 23rd pick overall. Despite a solid rookie season where Elam started with two interceptions in his first six games, things have gone downhill since. Elam had picks in back-to-back games during Weeks 5 and 6 but hasn’t intercepted a pass since and was replaced in the Bills’ starting lineup. In the last two years, the young CB has started in just six games.

The big dip in production and play led the Bills to trade away a CB who is just 24-years old. In giving up fifth and seventh-round picks, the Cowboys were hoping a change of scenery could get Elam back to being the prospect he was when he entered the league.

Early indications are that’s exactly what’s happening. For whatever reason, Elam fell out of favor with the Bills, but he looks like he’s fitting in well with Dallas. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer singled out Elam ahead of OTAs as a reason to feel good about the CB group.

“I feel good about it,” Brian Schottenheimer said about the Cowboys CB depth.

Kaiir Elam has been “awesome for us,” mentioning his speed in the early phases in the offseason. Schottenheimer didn’t want to put a timeline on the injured guys. pic.twitter.com/FXOo1REsCx

— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) May 20, 2025​

In the first OTA session, Elam lined up as one of the starting outside CBs, an indication he’s ready to get back to his high level of play.

'Seems the favorite' - Cowboys' quiet free agency signing already trending toward paying dividends after first OTAs practices - Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports​

Jack Sanborn appears to have a leg up on the competition at middle linebacker.

As usual, the Dallas Cowboys’ free agency in March was a very quiet one. The front office did pull off multiple trades and signings for former first-round picks, but each of them was a low-cost signing in an effort to acquire depth.

However, one of the quietest signings was that of linebacker Jack Sanborn. With only three starts in 2024 for the Chicago Bears, many brushed off Sanborn’s acquisition as not important.

Well, it’s time fans start thinking about him as a first-team linebacker, at least early in the season.

According to Calvin Watkins from Dallas Morning News, OTAs showed there’s an open competition for the middle linebacker spot between Sanborn and former first-rounder Kenneth Murray.

“Sanborn, the free agent pickup, seems the favorite,” Watkins wrote. “Murray, acquired in a trade, might surprise in training camp to make this a close race.”

Sanborn has a natural inside track for the job considering he’s already familiar with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme having been in Chicago the past three years.

Depth Chart: Where things stand at Offensive tackle - Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com ​

Things could get interesting at left tackle in the coming months.

Battle to Watch: At this point, Tyler Guyton needs to show everyone that he’s the left tackle for this team. That’s what the Cowboys drafted him to be last year and although his rookie season didn’t meet expectations, Guyton is still the player to watch at left tackle. Now, Brian Schottenheimer has said numerous times this offseason that the five best offensive linemen will start. So if Guyton isn’t among that group, it’s likely the Cowboys will go with another option and maybe that would be Asim Richards. But Guyton is the leader in the clubhouse and the Cowboys will give him every shot to keep it.

Time is Now: While you could also throw Guyton into this mix, let’s go with Asim Richards here. He’s the one on the outside looking in and it’s his third season. The Cowboys want him to be a rotational player and maybe the swing tackle but Richards won’t give up the left-tackle competition without a fight. But the “time is now” mantra works for Richards because if he doesn’t take advantage, the Cowboys will probably look at other options down the line.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-george-pickens-javonte-williams-jack-sanborn

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue predicts he will win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

How much usage do you see for Jaydon Blue in 2025?

The Dallas Cowboys needed more playmakers on their offense heading into the 2025 season. They got one in the fifth round of the draft by taking running back Jaydon Blue out of Texas. Instantly, the Cowboys get electrifying speed and explosiveness with him on the roster.

Blue wasn't one of the premier backs coming out of college. However, the 21-year-old isn't lacking any confidence in his ability as he enters his inaugural NFL campaign. In fact, he predicted that he would win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors earlier this week.

Rookie #Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue predicts that he’ll win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2025, and says his former Texas teammate and now #Broncos DB Jahdae Barron will take home Defensive Rookie of the Year.

: @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/k7oUuoSLdy

— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) May 21, 2025​

Blue showed his promise in 2023 for the Longhorns with nearly 400 yards on just 65 carries (averaged 6.1 yards per carry). Last season was a breakout year for Blue with nearly 1,100 yards of total offense (730 rushing, 368 receiving) and 14 touchdowns. With 176 touches last season, Blue scored a touchdown around every 12 or 13 touches for Texas. So, that means that he doesn't need a lot of opportunities to be effective.

There's no telling at the moment who will be the Cowboys No. 1 running back when the season starts. At this point of the offseason, a best guess says it will be veteran Javonte Williams. If that is the case, Blue's explosive ability complements Williams and his physical, downhill running style perfectly. The versatility of Blue as a pass catcher is something that can see him increase his impact in third-down situations by getting one-on-one chances with linebackers, which is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

It'll be interesting to see how quickly Blue adjusts to the pro level. However, there’s no doubt that he'll have a huge role in Dallas right out of the gate. He believes it will be big enough to win an award.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...lue-predicts-win-offensive-rookie-of-the-year

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Predicting the result of every game on the Cowboys 2025 regular season schedule

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

What record do you think the Cowboys will have next season?

The Dallas Cowboys' 2025 regular season schedule has been fully released. Like every year, the Cowboys are one of the biggest draws in the league, being featured on primetime on six separate occasions, the second-most in football behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

Today, two of our staff writers dive into Dallas’ schedule and take a shot at predicting the outcome of each game. Let us know your predictions in the comments section.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC​

Holleran: While I believe the Cowboys catch a break getting their road matchup against the Eagles in Week 1 versus later in the season, this will still be one of the more difficult games on Dallas’ schedule. I see this being a competitive matchup, but I don’t have enough faith in the Cowboys to pick them to get the upset here. Give me the Eagles to win this one, 26-20.

Current Record: 0-1

Howman: Starting out on the road against the Super Bowl champions is not exactly ideal, especially with so many new pieces in Dallas. I think the Cowboys look surprisingly competitive in this one, but the Eagles win.

Current Record: 0-1

Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: If Jaxson Dart or even Jameis Winston are starting this game, I may feel differently, but a Russell Wilson-led Giants team should be a relatively easy bounce-back matchup for Dallas in Week Two. Give me the Cowboys, 28-17.

Current Record: 1-1

Howman: Losing the season opener hurts, but it’s easier to digest knowing that the Giants are up next on the schedule. Dak Prescott owns this franchise, and Russell Wilson is not good enough in 2025 to change that.

Current Record: 1-1

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21 at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: The Bears may be one of the more improved teams in the league this season. I see Caleb Williams and the new-look Bears offense causing problems for Dallas’ defense and making this a high-scoring affair. Ultimately, Chicago gets the ball last and puts up points, delivering Dallas a devastating loss. Give me Chicago, 33-30.

Current Record: 1-2

Howman: I expect the Bears to be much better this year under Ben Johnson, but I’m not sure how up to speed they’ll be this early in the season. Chicago has some pieces, surely, but I think Micah Parsons will make life miserable for Caleb Williams and the Cowboys improve to 2-1 early on.

Current Record: 2-1

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28 vs Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC​

Holleran: After a tough loss in Week 3, Dallas faces almost a must-win game against the Packers in Week 4. We see an inspired Cowboys team, looking to bounce back from the Chicago loss, come in and dominate this one from the start. Dallas flips the script from the two teams' playoff matchup in 2024 and wins in a big way. Give me the Cowboys, 30-13.

Current Record: 2-2

Howman: The Cowboys are likely to be an underdog in this game, and fairly so, but the Packers have routinely struggled to start the season in recent years. I see that happening again, especially with so many new faces at WR, and Brian Schottenheimer gets a win to exorcise some demons early in his tenure

Current Record: 3-1

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Week 5: Sunday, October 4, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: The Cowboys have shown an ability to handle Justin Fields, no matter what team he’s on in recent matchups. This year is no different as the Cowboys’ defense leads them to a low-scoring win. Give me Dallas, 20-10.

Current Record: 3-2

Howman: If I’m right about the Packers game being a win, this schedule sets up very nicely for a hot start. The Jets are firmly in the first phase of a rebuild, and the Cowboys should be favored to win this game by a comfortable margin, which is how I expect it to go.

Current Record: 4-1

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Week 6: Sunday, October 11, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: The Panthers may be more competitive this season, but this is a game in which Dallas will have a clear talent edge. Back-to-back road games at this point of the season won’t be an easy task, but Dallas is up to the challenge and earns their third-straight victory. Give me the Cowboys, 26-20.

Current Record: 4-2

Howman: I’ll start by saying I’m expecting big things out of the Panthers, and I specifically view head coach Dave Canales as a budding star in this league. That said, this team is still building things out, especially on defense, and I’m not sure they have the pieces to match the Cowboys just yet. Chalk up another win for Dallas, who moves to 5-1.

Current Record: 5-1

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Week 7: Sunday, October 19, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: While the Commanders did have an outstanding season last year, the Cowboys played very well against them in their two matchups. I see Dallas having the same success this year, keeping their winning streak intact, logging their fourth-straight victory. Give me Dallas, 27-24.

Current Record: 5-2

Howman: The Commanders officially moved into contender status last year, but they lost one game to the Cowboys and nearly lost the second one too. Dallas matches up well here, and with them riding a hot streak they’ll continue to roll and get the win

Current Record: 6-1

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Week 8: Sunday, October 26, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS​

Holleran: Something about the Denver Broncos brings out the worst in the Cowboys. For whatever reason, Denver has been Dallas’ kryptonite in recent memory, and that does not change this season. The winning streak ends with an abysmal performance from Dallas in Denver. Give me the Broncos, 33-13.

Current Record: 5-3

Howman: The Cowboys have so many bad memories against the Broncos lately, and I fully expect that to continue. I don’t believe in Bo Nix one bit, but that defense is legit and so is the altitude in Denver. The streak ends at Mile High and the Cowboys drop to 6-2.

Current Record: 6-2

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Week 9: Monday, November 3, vs Arizona Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN​

Holleran: Kyler Murray has never lost a game in his playing career at AT&T Stadium. Arizona’s quarterback seems to be at his best playing on Dallas’ home field, and that trend will continue this November. The Cowboys' hangover from their poor performance in Denver continues as Kyler Murray continues his undefeated streak at AT&T. Give me Arizona, 31-23.

Current Record: 5-4

Howman: The Cardinals have generally been a problem for the Cowboys in recent years, but most of those games come in Arizona. Not only that, but the Cardinals are still figuring things out, especially on defense. I see the Cowboys getting one more win before the bye.

Current Record: 7-2

Week 10: BYE WEEK​

Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Week 11: Monday, November 17, at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN​

Holleran: Dallas comes out of the bye week desperately needing a win in Las Vegas. The Raiders will be much improved this season, but Dallas should be able to put up some points against their defense. The Cowboys get a much-needed win to get back on track. Give me Dallas, 27-23.

Current Record: 6-4

Howman: I’m really excited for this one, given how much Schottenheimer has talked about Pete Carroll being one of his mentors. The Raiders should be sneaky good too, as Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty make a good duo and Maxx Crosby is a one man wrecking crew. For that reason, I think the Raiders get the upset here over a team coming off the bye.

Current Record: 7-3

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Week 12: Sunday, November 23, vs Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: While recent history would indicate that the Cowboys and Eagles almost always split the season series, Philadelphia has so much returning talent this year, I don’t see how many teams, including Dallas, will beat them. The Cowboys play them tough again, but the Eagles get another win over their division rival. Give me Philly, 26-24.

Current Record: 6-5

Howman: My general rule of thumb for these things is predicting a series split against the Eagles, because that’s usually how it goes in the Prescott era. I also genuinely believe the Cowboys have the talent to beat the Eagles, especially at this point in the season with everyone gelling in the new schemes.

Current Record: 8-3

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Week 13: Thursday, November 27, vs Kansas City Chiefs 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS​

Holleran: The NFL did Dallas no favors by giving them matchups with both the Eagles and Chiefs in a five-day span. This will arguably be the toughest game on Dallas’ schedule, and I don’t see them being able to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on such a short week. Dallas loses back-to-back games for the second time this year. Give me Kansas City, 26-17.

Current Record: 6-6

Howman: The Chiefs make for a great Thanksgiving opponent, and the game figures to be very entertaining, but I cannot in good conscience pick against Patrick Mahomes. Cowboys drop one on Thanksgiving.

Current Record: 8-4

Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Week 14: Thursday, December 4, at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET, Prime​

Holleran: After two straight losses, Dallas’ matchup with the Lions in Week 14 turns into an almost must-win. After being embarrassed last year, the Cowboys get their payback this December as they come out and dominate the Lions from the opening kickoff. Give me Dallas, 37-20.

Current Record: 7-6

Howman: The road only gets tougher, going to Detroit to face a Lions team that should have already shaken off any rust from the disappointment of last season. The Lions lost both coordinators but retained their key stars on both sides, so I think this one ends up being a second straight loss for the Cowboys

Current Record: 8-5

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Week 15: Sunday, December 14, vs Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC​

Holleran: Fresh off a dominant performance in Detroit, the Cowboys get an almost ten-day break before hosting the Vikings in Week 15. I’m not high on J.J. McCarthy, and I believe the Vikings will be nearly out of the playoff picture once this matchup comes around. Dallas takes advantage of facing the young quarterback and wins a defensive battle. Give me the Cowboys, 17-13.

Current Record: 8-6

Howman: I don’t know what to make of the Vikings this year with J.J. McCarthy ascending to the starting role, but their defense should still be great. My hunch is that Matt Eberflus brings enough tricks up his sleeve to stifle former division foe Kevin O’Connell, while I’ll take Prescott in a duel against McCarthy any day. Cowboys win.

Current Record: 9-5

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Week 16: Sunday, December 21, vs Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX​

Holleran: The Chargers have had their own share of late-season struggles in recent years, but I see this being the season they finally get over the hump. Dallas runs into a Chargers team playing their best football of the season and suffers a key late-season loss. Give me Los Angeles, 30-27.

Current Record: 8-7

Howman: The Chargers are going to be good as long as Jim Harbaugh is in charge, but December is just not good to the bolts. With this being a road game early in the day (for the Chargers) I can see the Cowboys pulling off a close victory thanks to some Parsons magic against Justin Herbert.

Current Record: 10-5

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Week 17: Thursday, Dec. 25, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET, Netflix​

Holleran: If the Cowboys want any shot of making the playoffs, this game against Washington on Christmas Day becomes a must-win. Even on a short travel week, Dallas defies the odds, led by Dak Prescott tossing four touchdown passes, walking out with a huge win. Give me Dallas, 34-27.

Current Record: 9-7

Howman: A short turnaround and going to the nation’s capitol on Christmas day? That’s hardly an ideal turn of events in the calendar, even without considering how good the Commanders are now. Dallas drops this one, splitting the series.

Current Record: 10-6

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 4, at New York Giants, TBD, TBD​

Holleran: Week 18 comes around, and Dallas faces a win-and-you're-in scenario against the Giants in New York. By this time of the season, Jaxson Dart is leading the Giants’ offense, making this a much more difficult matchup for the Cowboys than the first time around. In the end, Micah Parsons strip-sacks the rookie quarterback on the Giants’ final offensive play, clinching a victory and earning Dallas the final wild card playoff spot. Give me the Cowboys, 24-20.

Final Record: 10-7

Howman: The Cowboys end the season on a two game road trip, but at least it’s against division rivals they’re used to playing. And the Giants, at this point, may even be giving starter snaps to Jaxson Dart. Assuming the Cowboys don’t end up resting their starters in this one (that seems doubtful), they’ll beat the Giants without too much trouble, ending the season with a win.

Final Record: 11-6

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ing-result-games-2025-regular-season-schedule

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

Cowboys reasons to be positive for 2025: Osa Odighizuwa

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Osa Odighizuwa is a huge bright spot for Dallas

We continue the ‘Reasons To Be Positive’ series, where we give fans some inspiration and optimism ahead of the 2025 season. This installment looks at Osa Odighizuwa.

Osa Odighizuwa ​

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

2024 Season stats:
Games- 17
Snaps- 859
Total Tackles- 47
Tackle For Loss- 5
Pressures- 60
Sacks- 5
Forced Fumbles- 1
Pass Breakups- 1

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2025 Projected stats:
Total Tackles- 55
Tackle For Loss- 8
Pressures- 69
Sacks- 5

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Osa Odighizuwa was rewarded recently with a contract extension from Jerry Jones and the front office. Thanks to his consistent on-field performance, and leadership, Odighizuwa has slowly become a pivotal figure on the team’s defense and should be a massive reason for Cowboys fans to feel positive going into the 2025 season.

Interior Wrecker

Osa Odighizuwa had 42 pressures in the second half of last season. The Cowboys retained a good one!

@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/lqhow3fnyL

— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) May 14, 2025​

In 2024, Odighizuwa delivered his most impactful performance to date, and it didn’t go unnoticed. He achieved career highs with five sacks, 47 total tackles, and 23 quarterback hits, showcasing his disruptive presence on the defensive line. His ability to pressure quarterbacks and halt running plays was instrumental in the Cowboys’ defensive strategies and only seemed to get better as the season wore on.

Odighizuwa’s partnership with fellow defensive stalwart Micah Parsons forms a formidable duo on the Cowboys’ front line. Their combined and consistent pressure disrupts offensive schemes and forces opposing quarterbacks into precarious situations, laying the foundation for a dominant defensive front. This synergy is expected to be a linchpin in the team’s strategy moving forward.

#Cowboys Osa Odighizuwa has generated 27 pressures across 199 pass rushes (13.6%) over the past six weeks, the most pressures among defensive tackles over that span, per NFL Pro.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/Sdgz75AQyF

— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 14, 2024​

Odighizuwa really laid it on in 2024. His 33 pressures were third-most among defensive tackles, helping Dallas’ total pressure count to reach 180, second-most in the league. His level of elite production last season outdid division rival Jalen Carter, who most agree is one of the best inside defensive lineman in the league. Thanks to this level of efficiency, the Cowboys secured Odighizuwa with a four-year, $80 million contract extension, including $52 million guaranteed. This move not only rewards his past contributions but also solidifies his role as a cornerstone of the defense for the foreseeable future.

Osa Odighizuwa with his mom and agent after signing four year, $80 million deal with the Cowboys
H/T @dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/xoWRxeYuUr

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 4, 2025​

Odighizuwa has also emerged as a leader within the Cowboys’ locker room, further enhancing his importance to the team. His work ethic and commitment, which has been prevalent from the start, set a standard for younger players, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. As the team navigates transitions and integrates new talent, his leadership will be crucial in maintaining cohesion and focus.

Osa takes him down!

: #HOUvsDAL on ESPN
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/3coVlrUQoj

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 19, 2024​

Outlook for 2025
With Odighizuwa’s continued development, leadership, and the stability provided by his contract extension, Cowboys fans have ample reason for optimism here. His presence fortifies the defensive line, and his influence resonates throughout the team. As the 2025 season approaches, Odighizuwa’s role will be pivotal in the Cowboys’ pursuit of victory. For a team that has historically undervalued the 3-tech position, Odighizuwa becomes an extremely valuable commodity going forward.

osa goin' hard @Osagoeshard with the sack

: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/itYyAFI9c0

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 29, 2024​

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-micah-parsons-sacks-pressures-defensvie-line

 

[Dallas Cowboys]

New York Giants site questionably ranks Giants quarterbacks ahead of Dak Prescott

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

One Giants site believes the G-Men have a better quarterback group than Dak Prescott.

We disagree on things as a fanbase. It is normal. Something that one person believes is great is viewed as utter trash by another. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and therefore our opinions on things differ from time to time. Again, that is to be expected.

One of the most divisive issues among Dallas Cowboys fans specifically is always the quarterback who plays for the team. This is true of Dak Prescott, was true of Tony Romo before him and will be true for all of time. Unless you are lifting Lombardi Trophies you are subject to ridicule. That is the game, for better or worse.

However you feel about Dak Prescott is one thing, but there is an element about who he is and his abilities as a quarterback that we should all agree on.

Big Blue View ranked the Giants quarterbacks ahead of Dak Prescott​

This time of year is known for thinking, speculating and pontificating. We are in the most doldrum-y doldrum of the offseason, after all.

Recently our friends at Big Blue View conducted an interesting exercise and ranked the position groups on offense across the entire NFC East. This is a fun thing to think about, although with the Philadelphia Eagles serving as reigning Super Bowl Champions it is a bit less fun than normal.

BBV handed out points for each ranking. If a team had the best player at a certain group they received four points, if they were second they received three, so on and so forth. At the end of the exercise they tabulated all of the math to see how things shook out. You can read their analysis here.

As is customary they started with the quarterback position. BBV ranked Jayden Daniels ahead of Jalen Hurts which may strike some as outlandish, but obviously there is some context and nuance involved in that conversation. Jalen Hurts is good, but uniquely so and that requires an expansive conversation. We are not here to have that one, though.

We are here today because BBV ranked the Giants quarterback situation (Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart) ahead of Dak Prescot. This is the same Dak Prescott who the Giants have lost 13 straight games against, by the way.

The No. 3 spot is controversial, but should it be? Let me preface this by saying no Giants quarterback is as talented as Dak Prescott. I have praised Prescott for years. He’s underrated, cerebrally gifted, and he has above-average arm talent. Still, he is the highest-paid player in NFL history, with a $50.5 million cap hit in 2025 and $ 231 million guaranteed. That’s a lot of cash, and his contract has a no-trade clause.

He’s also 31 years old and missed most of last season with a torn hamstring that required surgery. I’m a big fan of Prescott, but there’s plenty of reason to pause when one looks at his contractual situation.

That brings us to the Giants and why they are ahead of Dallas. It’s simple; the Giants have two veteran quarterbacks signed to relatively inexpensive short-term deals and a rookie first-round pick whom Brian Daboll gushes over. If Dart strikes bullseye, the Giants have a 22-year-old cost-effective quarterback contract on the books. Plus, New York has a plan to allow Dart time to develop, while also possibly playing competitive football with either Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston. Dallas takes the one, New York snags the two.

Brian Daboll gushing over one of his team’s players is hardly a reason to slot him ahead of anyone, but there is too much else to react to.

The author here is arguing that Dak trails the Giants quarterback room from a cost-efficiency standpoint. That is fair! Dak certainly costs more than Wilson, Winston and Dart combined and then some. Nobody disagrees there.

But as users pointed out in the comment section at BBV, this rationale was not used for literally any other position in the analysis. Even if you want to lump contractual value into things, you can make a very strong argument (I’m sure Brian Schottenheimer would and since we are counting Brian Daboll’s gushing as a value) that Dak is worth his current contract relative to what the Giants have going on. Just because the Giants have some lower-value quarterbacks on their roster does not make them good. Wilson and Winston were available for what they were because they are not very good. Dart is admittedly an unknown commodity, but he was so important to the Giants (even with all of the gushing) that they let him fall almost out of the first round entirely before ending his slide.

Again, no one here is advocating for anything other than the fact that there is no argument on this planet or any other in our solar system that the Giants have a more preferable quarterback situation to the Cowboys. Even Prescott’s biggest critics likely agree with this.

Once again, the Giants have lost 13 straight games to Prescott-led Cowboys teams.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ahead-dak-prescott-russell-wilson-jaxson-dart