Are the Dallas Cowboys Running Out of Excuses Entering 2026?
Since the Dallas Cowboys won their last Super Bowl in 1995, they have been trying to get back on the mountaintop ever since. Dallas has had numerous teams capable of deep postseason runs, yet for various reasons, their aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl, not to mention an NFC Championship, have consistently fallen short. Whether it was Tony Romo fumbling the snap against Seattle, having to deal with Aaron Rodgers on multiple runs, or the defense not playing up to par, there is always some excuse the Cowboys have fallen back on. However, in 2026, despite missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, a foundation is believed to be set. With new coaching, a new defense, and an elite offense, is 2026 the year the Cowboys are running out of excuses?
To be honest, there are still several excuses that Dallas could rely on next season if things do not go as planned. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker is in his first season as a coordinator and play caller, and some aspects of the Cowboys' defense are still in the early stages of development, but there is a different feel to this season. One of the main reasons for this belief is thanks to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Despite a first season in which Dallas would not make the postseason, they have built a culture that was not there even during the winning years.
The reason 2026 is the year for no more excuses is that Dallas is confident in having a complete roster along with the new culture they have built. After the acquisition of Parker, Dallas would have one of their better drafts and offseasons in recent memory, drafting well and signing key players. They still have one of the best offenses in the league, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens. With three members of the offensive line playing elite football, the new era of the line is beginning to take shape. The Cowboys still have to contend with one of the league's most demanding schedules, a newly assembled defense, and possibly the league's most challenging conference, but they have the groundwork for everything they want to accomplish, which means the excuses have to come to an end.
