It was a difficult first season for Brian Schottenheimer, but entering Year 2, can he lead the Cowboys back to where they belong?
Most would agree that Brian Schottenheimer acquitted himself rather well in his first season as Dallas Cowboys head coach.
The off-field things he had to deal with in Marshawn Kneeland's passing, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens in Las Vegas, and the on-field, which began with the trade of Micah Parsons a week before the season, Schotty was thrown in the deep end.
And you can make the case that more often than not, he swam rather well.
His offense was one of the best in football, with Dak Prescott, George Pickens, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, and CeeDee Lamb all playing their part.
But the defense left a lot to be desired under Matt Eberflus; it was among the worst in football and often wasted the good offensive performances of Schottenheimer's unit.
Now, young up-and-coming star Christian Parker takes center stage as defensive coordinator, and there is hope he can at least make this defense average and not just a set of training cones.
The 2026 offseason is a chance for the Cowboys to reload offensively and get better defensively.
But for ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, a bounce back of sorts isn't exactly a formality, as he lists his reason why it might take a little time.
"Last season's defensive back seven underperformed, forcing a look in the mirror this offseason," Fowler wrote. "The addition of defensive coordinator Christian Parker will help, but reinforcements are sorely needed. Bringing back Pickens and running back Javonte Williams would be prudent."
There is no denying that the Cowboys' offseason work begins on offense with Pickens and Williams.
Given how good the offense was, these two simply can't be allowed to be anywhere other than Dallas in 2026. And for most, the pair will be.
If, and that's a big if, the pair remain, then the Cowboys, with over $100 million in cap space thanks to a few flips of the contract switch, along with two first-round picks, can give Parker the necessary weaponry for his defense.
The Cowboys feel like they are trending in the right direction under Schottenheimer, but the moves the front office makes, or doesn't, will tell us a lot.
Will they go "all-in" to improve the defense and get it to a level where it can complement the offense?
If they want this turnaround to be quick, they'll use all the tools in the toolbox.