99 quick thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys 99 days away from NFL Kickoff vs Eagles: Dak Prescott needs an MVP caliber season

We're 99 days away from the Dallas Cowboys kicking off the NFL season in Philadelphia when they take on the reigning Super Bowl champions. It'll be a fun one versus the Eagles but unfortunately, we still have to wait. So while we do, here are 99 thoughts on the team.

On Dak Prescott (14)

1. Staying healthy for 17 games is not a guarantee for Dak Prescott.
2. Prescott’s health concerns could help explain the over/under of wins for this team being set at only 7.5 wins.
3. Good news is he’s healthy now and expected to be 100% by training camp.
4. The Cowboys’ success this season will largely hinge on how close Prescott can get to his 2023 self.
5. Being good won’t be enough for Dallas to be a Super Bowl contender but if the quarterback gets MVP consideration, this team could surprise some in the NFL.
6. It’s hard to believe Prescott will go back to using his legs frequently other than for evading pressure.
7. Prescott is the longest-tenured player in the organization and I feel old.
8. His leadership skills will be more important than ever.
9. Prescott will play for his third career head coach as Brian Schottenheimer joins Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy.
10. The Cowboys probably hope it’s his last head coach.
11. If CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens stay healthy for a full season, this could be one of the best group of weapons Prescott has had.
12. Despite Schottenheimer’s comments on wanting to run the ball, Prescott and playmakers could turn this into a pass-first offense given the running back situation.
13. Dak Prescott’s career is reaching Tony Romo territory as far as an offensive line being built for him (three first-round offensive linemen in the last four years).
14. Prescott’s go route passes are among the best in the NFL and adding Pickens to the mix should really complement that area of his game.

On Brian Schottenheimer (10)

1. Schottenheimer isn’t an Xs and Os guru.
2. However, he’s trying to make culture and relationships his calling card as Cowboys head coach.
3. Hiring Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator is one of the biggest reasons to buy into Schottenheimer.
4. Adams is a very different hire for a first-year HC given it’s not an “old friend” of his.
5. The talk about culture and Adams’ addition won’t matter if Schottenheimer doesn’t prove he can change as a play caller.
6. Schottenheimer is getting the attention of players with a new energy at practice.
7. We’ll have to wait to find out how much it matters.
8. Believe it or not, Schottenheimer’s job security is high right now considering the Cowboys allow coaches to run out their deals, making a short tenure highly unlikely.
9. This is the first of four years on Schottenheimer’s contract.
10. If Schottenheimer ends up being successful, the Cowboys got lucky after interviewing four HC candidates.

On Micah Parsons (10)

1. Parsons is expected to seek a $200 million deal.
2. That would mean he’s interested in a five-year contract.
3. Parsons has been in and out for OTAs and isn’t expected to hold out from training camp.
4. However, contract negotiations have yet to speed up.
5. That brings up the question: Will his stance change if no progress is made soon?
6. You have to wonder if he’s making a mistake by not holding out.
7. If I had to guess, his agent David Mulugheta wants him to.
8. Parsons has historically benefitted a lot from blitz-happy scheme.
9. Matt Eberflus doesn’t blitz often, will that change in 2025?
10. Eberflus seems to have shut down any notion about potentially playing Parsons at linebacker, which is great news.

On George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb (10)

1. Lamb can say he isn’t WR1 but there has to be a top dog on offense and it’s certainly going to be the guy rocking No. 88.
2. Speaking of jersey numbers, Pickens is wearing No. 13 but watch out for that changing before the season starts.
3. Lamb splits time in the slot and out wide and Pickens’ arrival could mean more time inside for the star wide receiver.
4. There will be games where Pickens takes center stage and in those, it will be crucial for Lamb to prove he meant his “no ego” policy.
5. Pickens described himself as a “chill guy” but he was fined seven times during the 2024 season.
6. Though Pickens is known as a contested catch specialist, he’s an underrated route runner and that should show up this season.
7. Schottenheimer’s offense will need to figure out what’s the best way to deploy Lamb and Pickens to avoid double coverage for both of them.
8. A great season for Pickens would likely mean a short stay in Dallas as his objective is to cash in on what’s become a prove it deal for him.
9. Now a $136 million player, I’m looking forward to seeing Lamb take Pickens under his wing and seeing what he can teach him.
10. Pickens provides important red zone relief for the entire offense as defenses will have to account for his ability to win one-on-ones in scoring position.

On the offensive line (20)

1. The big question mark for the Cowboys OL will be at both tackle spots as Tyler Guyton (LT) and Terence Steele (RT) are projected to start.
2. In contrast, the interior offensive line is looking pretty neat following the addition of Tyler Booker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
3. Steele’s pass protection improved in the backend of the 2024 NFL season but it’ll be intriguing to see if that holds up with Prescott back at QB.
4. That’s because with Cooper Rush, good pass pro didn’t have to last that long.
5. Steele is uncuttable in 2025 but would free up $8.75 million if cut next year.
6. There’s a strong chance this could be Steele’s last year in Dallas
7. Cooper Beebe is reuniting with OL coach Conor Riley ahead of 2025, who coached him at Kansas State.
8. Beebe is still expected to play center but there might be a slight possibility he’s tested at guard should Dallas want to shake things up.
9. Otherwise, he should be much better at center now that he knows how to snap the football.
10. I wonder if his mom still snaps to him in the offseason like last year.
11. The Beebe family is an awesome and wholesome follow on social media.
12. Tyler Smith has left tackle experience but chances are he’ll be kept at guard unless Tyler Guyton continues to struggle in his second year in the league.
13. Smith’s best spot has to be inside, where has won All-Pro honors.
14. I feel for Brock Hoffman, who seemed to have a legit shot at the RG spot before the Draft.
15. Tyler Booker being named an “immediate starter” shuts that down.
16. If Smith is moved to tackle (big if), Hoffman could find his way back into the lineup though.
17. Booker being given starter reps in OTAs is a good thing.
18. Mike McCarthy asked rookies to “earn it” but time is valuable in the NFL.
19. One underrated name to watch among the backups: Second-year OT Nathan Thomas.
20. Nothing in this position will be defined until training camp when the pads come on.

On the cornerback room (10)

1. DaRon Bland is the only proven option at CB in Week 1.
2. Trevon Diggs isn’t expected to be ready for the season, I’m betting he misses all of September.
3. Caelen Carson at nickel appears to be a strong possibility if he’s healthy by the regular season.
4. The Cowboys seem to like Kaiir Elam more than fans assume.
5. Potentially good news: The Bills have been very apologetic about “failing” Elam.
6. Israel Mukuamu is getting reps at nickel and I really want to see him earn a role on defense.
7. I struggle to expect Shavon Revel Jr. to start early on.
8. The biggest concern about Diggs is once he returns, what can we expect?
9. Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent and the Cowboys should sign him.
10. It doesn’t seem like there’s any momentum to the Jalen Ramsey trade rumors.

On the rest of the defense (10)

1. Eberflus is a 180º change from what the Cowboys had in Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer.
2. He’s a darn good defensive coach though.
3. His staff is known to develop linebackers, which is good for the Cowboys’ young core.
4. Man, I really wish linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was healthy for Week 1.
5. But Marist Liufau is also an exciting young LB and he’ll spearhead the position early in the season.
6. Jack Sanborn appears to be the favorite to start alongside Liufau.
7. Sanborn knows Eberflus’ defense and was seen as a potential breakout player by Bears fans.
8. EDGE appears to be a serious strength for the Cowboys starter-wise and depth-wise.
9. Nose tackle is a major concern though.
10. Can this staff get the best from Mazi Smith? I’m skeptical.

On some other exciting players (10)

1. I can’t wait to see what tight Jake Ferguson does in Year 4 of his career.
2. Ferguson needs to bounce back after a down year in 2025.
3. It should be easy now that he’s healthy and has two stud WRs on offense.
4. EDGE rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland will be fighting for snaps and I’m here for it.
5. Dante Fowler Jr. will lead that room opposite of Micah Parsons at first and he should be even better than in 2023.
6. I’m lowkey excited about Jalen Tolbert now that he doesn’t have to deal with WR2 pressure.
7. Even if RB is a concern, Jaydon Blue could be the most explosive runner in Dallas since prime Tony Pollard.
8. I’d be remiss not to mention Brandon “Butter” Aubrey, who should keep dominating.
9. Joe Milton preseason is about to be one of the most exciting watches since 2016 preseason Dak Prescott.
10. Brevyn Spann-Ford fits Klayton Adams’ scheme so well thanks to his run blocking, TE2 competition will be fun.

Six more thoughts

1. I’ve got this team’s win range between eight and 10. My prediction is a 9-8 record.
2. That might not be enough for the playoffs, so expect a stressful Week 18 if it comes to that.
3. This and 2026 will be Prescott’s most important seasons of his career as far as legacy building.
4. One player I’m unreasonably excited about: FB Hunter Luepke.
5. I wonder if C.J. Goodwin sticks around with a new special teams coordinator.
6. OTAs are boring but training camp isn’t that far away. We got this.