The Cowboys are entering a defining offseason, and if done right, it could bring levels of positivity we haven't seen in years.
It isn't often that the Dallas Cowboys have a clear plan of attack for an offseason, but as Brian Schottenheimer enters his second offseason in the big chair, the path forward is clear.
First, sign George Pickens and Javonte Williams, which solidifies one of the best offenses in football.
And secondly, use the $100 million in cap room, through various restructures and two first-round draft picks, to overhaul Christian Parker's defense that he is inheriting from Matt Eberflus.
Simple, right?
Given how well the offense played last season, if that level is maintained and coupled with what many think should be some improvement from the defense under Parker, then Dallas could make some noise in 2026.
And for Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame, he has two big reasons for Dallas hope entering the offseason.
"Dallas has major offensive firepower, and the Cowboys have a clear way to improve their 30th-ranked defense with a pair of first-round picks at their disposal," Verderame wrote.
So that does appear to be a simple enough rationale, right?
The offense will again be one of the better units in football, if Pickens and Williams are retained. What that will do is then allow the majority of the offseason focus to be solely on the defense.
With the need for at least three or four starting-caliber players, if not more, to be signed in free agency, we've mentioned some names. Alex Singleton, Nakobe Dean, Devin Bush, and so on, Dallas needs to be aggressive.
In an ideal world, the Cowboys would fill as many roster holes as they can in free agency, thanks to the cap room they will have (if they want it). That would then allow them to enter the draft with two first-round picks and not have to draft for need.
Instead, BPA (best player available) and BAA (best available athlete) give Dallas some flexibility in who they select.
Hope isn't something that is easily found among Cowboys Nation, and rightly so after the last three decades, but this feels like a fork in the road moment.
There is a clear plan to get better for Dallas, and it has the resources to execute that plan.
And if it does, come Week 1 of the 2026 season, Cowboys Nation might be feeling the best it has about its team in recent memory.