The 2025 season for the Cowboys wasn't good, and the grade they've received reflects that.
You could make the case that when the Dallas Cowboys decided to trade away All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons a week before the season, the year was done.
Brian Schottenheimer's first time as an NFL head coach was the true definition of a roller-coaster, and it ultimately ended with a 7-9-1 record and Dallas missing the playoffs.
Having one of the best offenses in football with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams, the Cowboys could put up points for fun.
The only problem was Matt Eberflus' defense, which gave up 30+ points nine times in 17 games. Yuck.
With the Cowboys having a brief period of respite after the trade of Quinnen Williams, coupled with the returns of several injured starters on defense, Dallas rattled off wins over the Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs.
But that was a sugar hit, and the Cowboys would then lose four of their last five games to hit the offseason with no momentum.
So, how should we grade Dallas' 2025 season?
Well, Bleacher Report's Brag Gagnon has done it and has given the Cowboys a deserved D-.
"The league's worst defense surrendered more than 30 points per game as the Cowboys finished below .500 for the second year in a row," Gagnon wrote. "It's a shame, because Dak Prescott wasn't the problem and neither was his supporting cast.
"But they won just once in eight games against opponents with winning records and are graded on that as well as the defensive mess we saw all season."
A D- grade after a 7-9-1 season and missing the playoffs? No arguments here.
The thing that will tick off Cowboys Nation is that they have a playoff-caliber offense with Dak earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod, but the defense so many times let Schottenheimer and Co down.
Granted, the offense did stumble down the stretch as well, not scoring a second-half touchdown for three straight weeks, before Joe Milton managed one in Week 18 against the New York Giants.
So, the Cowboys got what they deserved after a poor season.
Yes, the offense was elite for most of it, but this is a team game, and defense and even special teams failed to hold up their end of the bargain.
And when that happens, you get a 7-9-1 record and no playoff football.
Which deserves a D- grade.