Many have the Cowboys improving in Brian Schottenheimer's second year, and for some, that means expectations are as high as they've ever been.
Thanks to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and his recent Super Bowl comments, every man and his dog is now giving their take on what 2026 could be for Dallas.
We know that every team begins the offseason with the goal to hoist the Lombardi trophy, and we know that over half the league simply isn't good enough to even be in the conversation.
And that brings us to the Cowboys and whether or not they are.
For me, I can't put this team in that conversation yet, despite the good offseason the franchise has had, but others think Brian Schottenheimer, in Year 2, has a legitimate chance at making a serious run.
We have heard from various media personalities on this subject, and some are just pure performances in front of the camera in search of a hot take, but one who doesn't do that is Louis Riddick.
A former player, who was then a Director of Pro Personnel for Washington and Philadelphia, along with being a scout, I think Riddick knows what he's talking about.
So, when asked on ESPN's First Take if the Super Bowl talk about Dallas is fair, his answer was rather interesting.
"Yeah, it is," Riddick said. "I don't think that you necessarily have been knocking on the door beforehand in order for your expectations the following year to be Super Bowl or bust. Especially when you look at Dallas and what they have done this offseason as far as upgrading this roster, and it is, one through 53, it's legit now.
"Christian Parker has to be huge. They have one of the best offensive lines, one of the best wide receiver duos, Dak is one of the best quarterbacks, depth at running back. There really aren't any excuses for Dallas anymore."
That is a rather strong take, but are there really no excuses for the Cowboys?
Offensively, no. That unit has all the tools to be one of the best in football, but defensively? With Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence both rookies and expected to play big roles, along with Parker, who has never called a game, there is a lot of unknown about the defense.
But Riddick seems steadfast in his thoughts on what this Cowboys team can be under Schottenheimer and Parker this upcoming season, and it doesn't sound like a normal "ESPN take"; there's a legitimate thought that Dallas could amount to something.
So, there are some who think the Cowboys should be in the Super Bowl conversation, and others think they shouldn't.
And for Riddick, entering 2026, there's no more excuses for Dallas not to get it done.
