The Cowboys appear set on the offensive side, and if the defense can get its stuff together, who knows what 2026 could bring.
We spoke at length last season that if the Dallas Cowboys just had a league-average defense to pair with one of the best offenses in football, Brian Schottenheimer would have been playoff-bound in Year 1.
Of course, we know that didn't happen, and a 7-9-1 record followed.
But as we turn our attention to the offseason, with Javonte Williams signed, George Pickens tagged, and Brandon Aubrey reportedly "close" to an extension, all eyes are on the front office.
Why? Because it should be an all-out attack on Christian Parker's defense in free agency and the draft. Yes, we still want Dallas to be BPA (best player available).
It feels like this is the offseason where Dallas stops with its bargain basement free agency search and goes for, as our own Mike Fisher states, a "Ferrari" in the coming weeks.
But who could Dallas target?
With the situation in Las Vegas with Maxx Crosby, the idea of him coming to The Star is a rumor that just won't go away.
Fish stated Dallas is "monitoring" Crosby's situation, so there appears to be a desire to possibly add the star pass-rusher.
And if Dallas does, Rich Eisen thinks Schottenheimer's Cowboys won't be too far away.
"The offensive side of the ball, I am not worried about for the Dallas Cowboys," Eisen said. "And if they're able to take the 12th overall pick and instead of using it on a young defender, get Maxx Crosby for it.
"You go to work with Quinnen, Maxx Crosby, Kenny Clark, and then you use your other first-round draft choice, you get another defender, and it's Maxx Crosby and another defender? You're not too far away. Overshown is going to be help from [the] jump. You feel coaching-wise, you got it better on that side of the ball.
"Am I off on this? I don't think I am."
Firstly, I'm in the camp of not giving up No. 12 for Crosby. No. 20? Absolutely, but not 12.
And "far away" from what? Contending in the NFC? Or the Super Bowl?
Plus, the Cowboys would need to hit on their second first-round pick, plus go big in free agency at linebacker and corner, two of their other big needs.
But Eisen isn't wrong.
Adding Crosby to a defensive line with Williams and Clark (maybe Osa is used in the trade?) gives the Cowboys a ferocious defensive front.
It is a grand idea, but as far as Dallas not being "far away," there is too much water that has to go under the bridge and too many unknowns to be sure of that.
Yes, things are hopeful right now, but hope doesn't win championships.