The Cowboys have hope of returning to the playoffs in 2026, but only if one thing happens.
The Dallas Cowboys last season were an enigma under head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The offense was good enough to beat anyone. But conversely, their defense was so bad that they could lose to anyone.
That left many thinking that if the defense under Matt Eberflus could just be average, Dallas would easily be playoff-bound.
But that wasn't the case. The Cowboys couldn't complement the superb play of Dak Prescott and Co., finishing 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs.
With Dak seemingly at the peak of his powers, the Cowboys' offseason is centered around getting Christian Parker's defense up to a standard where Dallas might actually contend.
For ESPN's Seth Walder, in his starting quarterback's piece for all 32 teams, has Dak as Dallas' (duh), but stated the franchise will be playoff-bound if one thing happens.
"Prescott's exceptional play last season was overshadowed by the Cowboys missing the playoffs," Walder wrote. "He ranked fifth in QBR and third in completion percentage over expected (per NFL Next Gen Stats) despite playing with the lead on only 26% of his snaps.
"If the Cowboys' defense can improve to merely average and Prescott maintains his 2025 level of play, Dallas should easily return to the postseason."
There are a lot of "ifs" from Seth in there.
And at face value, that seems fine.
If the Cowboys' offense can maintain its 2025 level and be one of the better units in football, this team has a good chance. But the defense has to improve.
With over $100 million in cap space, coupled with two first-round picks (providing none are traded), the Cowboys have the weaponry to get Parker a handful of starting-caliber players to overhaul the defense.
If, and that's a big if, the Cowboys can get serviceable play from their defense and become 15th in the NFL, instead of 32nd, then Schottenheimer will most likely be coaching in his first postseason as a head coach.
Granted, that seems simple enough, but there are no guarantee's t he offense will be as elite as it was in 2025, nor that the expected improvement from Parker's defense will even happen.
But the path forward is clear.
The Cowboys will be playoff-bound in 2026 if things fall their way.