Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Predicts Major Turnaround for Team in 2026 Season

Speaking in an interview with Josh Sanchez of Sports Illustrated, Jones made his feelings clear:

“First of all, start with this Super Bowl. I would look at these teams. Look at New England. Look at Seattle. They’re made up for the team, first-year quarterbacks for the team, the system. The coaches are fresh on the scene. So, the point is, in this day in the NFL, you can go from a pumpkin to a carrot, so to speak. And you can do it in a year, or you can do it in two years. That is very promising to me. I’ve been there. I understand how it’s done. I understand how it’s not done.”

Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye both represent relatively new starts at the quarterback position for their respective franchises, yet both teams reached the biggest stage. Jones sees that as relevant to where Dallas currently stands.

Christian Parker’s Defense Appointment Signals a Real Shift in Dallas

The Cowboys made a significant move at defensive coordinator, replacing the fired Matt Eberflus with Christian Parker, a 34-year-old who served as secondary coach and passing game coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dallas also enters the offseason with roughly $100 million in cap space and two first-round draft picks. That is a lot of runway to address the defensive issues that sank the 2025 season.

CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin wrote that if the Cowboys can get to even a below-average defense, the offensive talent they already have should handle the rest.

Dak Prescott’s Strong 2025 Numbers Add Weight to Jones’ Confidence

Quarterback Dak Prescott, now in his 11th season with Dallas, finished 2025 with 4,552 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. The offense was not the problem.

Prescott said after the season finale, “Greatness. I’m gonna work every day and bust my a-- in the gym and the way that I take care of my body.”

With receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams, both needing new contracts, keeping the offense together is the front office’s first priority.

If Dallas retains its offensive weapons while Parker brings real structure to the defense, the Cowboys will enter 2026 as a legitimate playoff contender, not just an optimistic projection.

Jones has seen this franchise rise and fall several times. Whether his promise holds depend on the decisions made in the next few months.