Which Dallas Cowboys Face the Most Pressure Entering 2026?
After the conclusion of this year's NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 season with newfound aspirations. Dallas was able to retain valuable talent for their offense, which was one of the best in the NFL a season ago. They hired a new defensive coordinator with an interesting background, who was given the freedom to select players in the draft and sign free agents who fit his system. While feelings are high in Dallas, pressure also sets in more for these players than for others. With this season seemingly a "win now" year for the Cowboys, the pressure is rising on this set of players.
Dak Prescott
What better way to start a list of players facing the most pressure than the main character of the Cowboys? Entering his eleventh season, to the disarray and or joy of the fans in Dallas, the clock is ticking on Dak Prescott. There is no doubt that last season, Prescott demonstrated his ability to maintain elite performance. However, with him turning 33 before the start of the new season, time is not on his side. Last season, all Dallas needed was to avoid having the worst defense in the league to secure a playoff spot. With Parker at the helm, the Dallas defense is expected to perform better and not hinder the offense as much as before. A ticket to the playoffs is the goal in Dallas, and the dream is the Super Bowl, but for that opportunity to materialize, the Louisiana native must perform at his best.
DaRon Bland
In 2023, it seemed as if the world was at the feet of DaRon Bland. He broke the record for most pick-sixes ever in an NFL season; he was a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award and made first-team All-Pro. However, three years after that historic season, the 26-year-old's performance has been inconsistent. Dealing with injuries that have kept him on and off the field over the past two seasons has hurt his play, leading to inconsistent performances. Bland received a contract extension in 2025, which made him the sixth-highest-paid cornerback in the league at the time, but he has not shown much improvement since the season that earned him the contract due to injury. Entering next season, the goal is for the California native to be 100 percent healthy following his most recent surgery, which took place at the start of 2026, and to be under a new system with Parker. The time is now for Bland.
Tyler Guyton
Arguably, the second most valuable position in football is the blindside tackle. Since being drafted by Dallas in the first round in 2024, Tyler Guyton has had a mediocre start to his career with the team. While the size is there, at times, mental lapses or simply not being ready have affected Guyton. The 24-year-old has dealt with injuries that have sidelined him for weeks at a time, making his progress challenging. Going into his third season, it is essentially now or never for him, given the position he plays, which demands better-than-average play. The transition from right tackle in college to left tackle in the NFL is challenging, but it has been successful for Dallas, largely due to the example set by future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith. The Dallas offensive line is entering a new era, with the interior part of the line appearing stable, but Dallas is still waiting for Guyton to fill the void on the left.
