Dallas Cowboys ceiling and floor for 2023

Even after consecutive 12-win seasons, there’s a sense of urgency surrounding the Dallas Cowboys this season. Dallas may have had the best offseason of any team, but will it translate to more wins?

With the conclusion of training camp and preseason, here's the Cowboys' ceiling and floor heading into Week 1.

Ceiling: 12-5

The Cowboys have won four division championships in the past 10 years, and they have the second-best odds to win the NFC East, according to OddsChecker. Fewer than 12 wins probably won’t get it done.

Dallas made improvements on both sides of the ball this offseason. First acquiring cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Colts, then trading for former Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The team also made All-Pro guard Zach Martin happy with a two-year, restructured contract worth almost $37M.

With one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, Dallas can do big things in 2023. Now it’s up to head coach Mike McCarthy to put it all together.

Floor: 6-11

With former OC Kellen Moore now with the Chargers, McCarthy will call offensive plays this year. McCarthy called plays for years as the Packers head coach, including 2011 when Green Bay won the Super Bowl. But he hasn’t called plays since 2018 when his team finished 6-9-1.

Then there’s the matter of Trey Lance. Remember what happened to Carson Wentz when Philadelphia added Jalen Hurts as a backup? After throwing for 4,039 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2019, Wentz threw for 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 games when Hurts joined the team in 2020.

Lance is certainly no Hurts, but did Dallas give starting quarterback Dak Prescott a reason to look over his shoulder by bringing in the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft? Prescott threw 15 interceptions in just 12 games last season. Despite promises to the contrary, that number could go even higher if he starts to press.