This is the year. The 2025-26 NFL season is prime territory for putting an old narrative to rest. Everyone is sick of hearing about the Dallas Cowboys and their lack of postseason success.
Every jinx seems as though it handcuffs an organization, until it doesn't, and quite frankly, America's Team and its fans have had enough.
No one cares anymore about how long it's been since the last trip to the NFC Championship Game. Dallas didn't even qualify for postseason contention last January. They have put those failures behind them.
All that matters is Week 1 on September 4 and that space between the first game and Super Bowl 60 on February 8.
Say what you will. The Cowboys have the talent to make the playoffs and finally make a run, and in the process, fans can expect for some of their players to upset the apple cart with some postseason recognition.
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Dallas Cowboys with the best chances to earn postseason recognition
And, just like that, it's year one of the Brian Schottenheimer era. His father is an NFL icon. Cowboys fans hope the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Every coach will tell you the same thing. The job gets easier if there is talent on the roster, and Dallas certainly has that. Last season, three of their guys were designated as All-Pros. Five were mentioned as members of the Pro Bowl team.
Some say team success trumps individual honors. That may be true, but extensions are handed to individuals. Most would like to have something substantial on their resume when the enter negotiations.
Besides, better talent often equals team success, and Dallas needs the guys on this list to help steer the ship through what should be a bounceback season.
Dak Prescott - Comeback Player of the Year
Geno Smith won a Comeback Player of the Year Award for simply constructing a decent season after being bad for so long. That being said, Dak Prescott can win the same honor for leading his team back to the playoffs after being shut down because of injury. QB1 of America's Team always finds his way back to the spotlight at some point.
DeMarvion Overshown - Pro Bowl (depending on when he returns)
DeMarvion Overshown was balling before it was announced he would miss the remainder of last season and part of the upcoming campaign after suffering a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL in Week 14. Hopefully, he isn't out to long because the appetite for more grew after seeing him tally 90 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble.
If he returns and gets on a run, the Pro Bowl voters will notice.
CeeDee Lamb - All-Pro, Pro Bowl
The 88 Club's fourth member may have more physical talent than the first three. He also embodies many of the best traits we saw in Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant.
CeeDee still has work to do though in terms of crafting an equally impressive resume as the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, and he knows that. Another All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl mention will certainly push him towards that, but ultimately, he MUST win in the postseason.
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George Pickens - Pro Bowl
New face... Fresh start... George Pickens trades Black and Gold for The Star, but he brought his familiar playmaking skill set with him. Postseason honors have eluded him, which is surprising seeing as how he notched over 1,100 yards and led the league in yards per reception in 2023 (18.1), but paired with Lamb, he'll get plenty of opportunities (and more recognition).
Tyler Smith - All-Pro, Pro Bowl
Three years into Tyler Smith's career, he's off to a scorching start. He was named to the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team. He has since been named to the last two Pro Bowl rosters. With Zack Martin retired, he's now the best offensive lineman on the Cowboys roster, and more postseason recognition seems very realistic.
Micah Parsons - All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year
One of the best players in the game regardless of position, Micah Parsons is ticked off and in a contract season. Sure, he can drop the podcasts less often, and no one would complain. Still, he continues to be one of the unstoppable forces in the NFL.
Brandon Aubrey - All Pro, Pro Bowl
Brandon Aubrey finished second among kickers in terms of Pro Bowl votes last season. He made the roster and also earned an All-Pro nod.
Don't expect any regression. It stands to reason that the coming campaign will be equally successful for him as the one we witnessed from him last season.
Kavontae Turpin - All-Pro, Pro Bowl
Kavontae Turpin is the best returner in the game. Everyone knows that. The only thing that could keep him from enjoying the same level success is an effort by opposing teams to kick away from him.
Tyler Booker - PFWA All-Rookie Team, Pro Bowl
Dallas added to their offensive line this offseason and made sure they invested some draft capital to the cause in the form of Tyler Booker. They don't give Offensive Rookie of the Year trophies to guards. The 2025 NFL Draft's 12th overall selection will have to settle for a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
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Donovan Ezeiruaku - PFWA All-Rookie Team
Dallas landed Donovan Ezeiruaku with the 44th overall selection, but many draft pundits gave him first-round grades. Terms like 'steal' come to mind.
He earned the Ted Hendricks Award in 2024, an honor given to college football's top defensive end. He was a Consensus All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
This is someone to watch. He led the ACC with 21 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. If that translates to the pro level, watch out.
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