Dak Prescott is coming off a Pro Bowl year in 2025, but could be set for bigger things in 2026 with the Cowboys.
The main reason for optimism for Dallas Cowboys fans heading into 2026 is the Brian Schottenheimer offense.
With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams as your top four weapons, it is easy to get excited about Year 2 in Schotty's system.
But first, there's a small matter of figuring out Pickens' future, which is likely to lead to a franchise tag, as it is the "easiest" path for Dallas.
And for ESPN's Ben Solak, he's offered two big, "bold'' offseason predictions.
The first isn't that far outside the box, and in truth, neither is the second.
"The Cowboys -- after a classic prolonged and public negotiation -- will make Pickens the fourth-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, just under teammate CeeDee Lamb ($34 million per year) but ahead of Pittsburgh's DK Metcalf ($33 million)," Solak wrote. "And with Pickens back, quarterback Dak Prescott goes on to win MVP in 2026."
Pickens at just under $34 million isn't that farfetched.
After all, the franchise tag is roughly $28 million.
The question is will Dallas want to sort out a long-term deal this offseason?
Now we get to Dak.
MVP in 2026? That isn't out of the realm of possibility. Especially considering that halfway through the 2025 season, he was in the conversation. Plus, he's been in the MVP discussion in 2023 as well.
You could make the case that had Dallas won a few more games, and the offense not had those second-half fade-outs, Prescott would be in the thick of the MVP conversation.
He wouldn't have won, but he'd be in the mix.
Pickens signing a huge contract isn't a "bold'' prediction; it's what both sides would like.
And much to the annoyance of Prescott haters, Dak being in the MVP discussion in 2026 might not be all that "bold,'' either.