All offseason has been filled with hope and optimism for Cowboys Nation, but there is one question that many don't want to have to answer.
There's no denying that, after the offseason's wheeling and dealing, the Dallas Cowboys, on paper, appear to be a better team than last year.
Granted, that wasn't exactly hard to do, especially on defense after the train wreck that was Matt Eberflus' defense.
But with key free agent signings in Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant, along with top draft picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, all under the guidance of whiz Christian Parker, there is a feeling that Dallas won't have a basket case of a defense this upcoming season.
Of course, this is all a projection based on how bad Dallas was on defense last year, with most of us thinking that the unit can't be as bad as it was again, right?
There has to be some form of improvement under Parker, and if the defense can be a competent unit, with the offense the Cowboys have, they should be pushing for the division title.
But given how all-in everyone is on Parker and his improved defense, there is one question that fans hope they don't have to answer.
What if the defense isn't actually that good?
For ESPN's Todd Archer, when asked what the biggest concern is for Dallas this upcoming season, it's all on the defense.
"What if the defense is only marginally improved over 2025? It doesn't have to be a top-10 defense but it can't be near the bottom either," Archer wrote. "The pass rush will have to come alive. Offseason acquisition Rashan Gary had seven sacks last season for the Packers but none in the final nine games.
"Donovan Ezeiruaku had two sacks as a rookie and is coming off hip surgery. Sam Williams had one sack last year. James Houston had 5.5 sacks, but can he produce again? No. 23 pick Malachi Lawrence has promise but is a rookie. How quickly this group comes together could tell the story of how improved the defense will be."
We know what sort of player Gary can be, but he comes to The Star with a little question mark over how he finished 2025.
Donovan Eze is coming off hip surgery, so what will he be in Year 2? Can James Houston and Lawrence become consistent contributors?
Plus, what sort of growing pains will there be with Parker as a play-caller and Downs as the centerpiece of the unit? So, there are still a lot of questions and fears about the defense as we head into training camp.
Of course, those fears could be eased a little in Oxnard, but given how much hope, optimism, and expectation are already being placed on the defense, it is nightmare fuel to think about what the next step would be if this doesn't work.
And Cowboys Nation has its fingers and toes crossed that it doesn't have to answer that question.
