There is a lot of hope that the Cowboys can be something significant in 2026, but one thing could ruin everything.
The Dallas Cowboys will enter Brian Schottenheimer's second year as head coach with the highest expectations since 2023, following an offseason of significant change.
Personnel and coaching-wise, the Cowboys' defense has been revamped under Christian Parker, to the point where many are bullish on what Dallas can become.
Some think a Super Bowl, others think a deep playoff run, while some see the Cowboys as NFC East champs.
Right now, it is too early to tell because we haven't seen this defense in action. We know what the offense is, but the defense? It's a big question mark.
With the players signed and drafted, there will be a host of new faces on defense, with many thinking that the defensive line, with Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, and Quinnen Williams, along with Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant in the secondary, will be vastly improved.
On paper, you can say that, but until we see it, there is no way to definitively know.
But then there's this from Mike Tannenbaum on ESPN's GetUp.
We know if the defense improves, this team can be playoff-bound, but there is one uncertain aspect of the unit that is getting overlooked -- Parker as a play-caller.
"If this defense is B or better, with this offense, they can make a lot of noise in the playoffs," Tannenbaum said. "I think they can win the division. I do believe in Brian Schottenheimer. The big variable is Christian Parker has never been a play-caller before.
"There is a learning curve, but without question, on paper, this defense is discernibly better."
And that's perhaps the biggest thing fans are nervous about. How Parker calls a game.
He's never done it before, and yes, just because he is a rookie in that sense doesn't mean he will be bad at it, but there will be growing pains.
Likely to happen early in the season as he gets used to the role, but you can say by Week 4 or Week 5, Parker could/should have a good grasp on how to call a game as coordinator.
So, for all of the changes personnel-wise, along with the coaching staff, we can't forget Parker has never called a game before. It is a big variable because we don't know how well it will go.
And that is perhaps the most daunting thing right now for the Cowboys.
Will Parker be a good play-caller? We're about to find out.
