ESPN analysts: Cowboys are ‘greatly improved’ on offense, can win double-digit games, but it all hinges on Dak Prescott

The Cowboys are getting a little bit of hype after flying a bit under the radar following a disappointing 2024 campaign. During Friday’s edition of Get Up on ESPN, the crew showered them with some love.

While former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum wouldn’t predict a playoff run just yet, he does believe Dallas will be better than experts think in 2025. It all depends on how freshly promoted offensive coordinator, turned head coach Brian Schottenheimer, cultivates his team around returning quarterback Dak Prescott.

“They are greatly improved,” Tannenbaum stated. “Brian Schottenheimer has done a really good job with quarterbacks over his career. If Dak Prescott can stay healthy, this will be a really good offense.

“Tyler Booker, outstanding first round pick, a guard. George Pickens, over the last three years, leads the NFL in yards per reception at 16.8. When he’s complimenting No. 88 (CeeDee Lamb), those are two frontline receivers. This will be a fun offense.”

All told, the most interesting addition to the Cowboys roster was Pickens, whom they traded for on May 7, sending the Steelers a third round pick next year and a fifth round pick in 2027. In each of his three seasons with the Steelers, Pickens had at least 50 receptions and 880 yards. His best season was in 2023 when he caught 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.

Will he make that much of a difference? Fellow ESPN analyst Michael Wilbon predicted double-digit wins for Dallas, but he echoed Tannenbaum’s sentiment — it all hinges on Prescott becoming a top starter once again.

“They can be a 10- or 11-win team,” Wilbon added. “The notion that the Cowboys are now prepared to go on some great run? How often are we going to be fooled by the Cowboys? By the way, they’ve had those 12-win seasons successively, so maybe I’m undervaluing what the Cowboys are going in.

“But so much of this is going to depend on Dak coming back, and a lot of it, talking about coaching is Schottenheimer, who’s proven nothing, who has everything to prove. We talk about coaches with a lot to prove? Schottenheimer got even more to prove than Ben Johnson coming into the season.”

Alas, the Cowboys will have a chance to make an early statement, as they play the Philadelphia Eagles in the season-opening contest for the NFL in Week 1. If they can defeat their bitter rival in a surprising upset, they’ll have the entire league taking them seriously from the get-go. We’ll see if they can get it done.