The Dallas Cowboys have spent the offseason trying to fix the defense that held them back in 2025. Michael Irvin believes those changes could finally give Jerry Jones, Dak Prescott, and Dallas a real chance to end their 30-year Super Bowl drought.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Irvin joined Stephen A. Smith on his podcast to discuss his expectations for the Cowboys. Smith has already given Dallas a chance to win the NFC East, but Irvin believes he will regret stopping his prediction there.

“I was gutted on that set last time. This season, I promise you, I'm going to see you feel gutted just like that," Irvin said. "Because you know what? Let me stick to the point. You know why? Because we have fixed the gut of our defense."

Speaking on Stephen A. Smith Sports podcast on September 2, Irvin's comments went back to the last time he appeared on Smith’s show after a painful Cowboys playoff loss.

This time, he promised the roles would be reversed because Dallas finally addressed the biggest weakness on its roster.

That defensive overhaul is the foundation of Irvin’s confidence. Dallas traded Micah Parsons but added Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary and Von Miller, while also bringing in first-round pick Caleb Downs to strengthen the back end.

The Cowboys had little trouble scoring last season, finishing with 471 points, seventh-most in the NFL. Their defense was a different story, allowing 511 points, the most in the league, while Dallas finished 7-9-1.

Irvin believes the additions up front can change that. He pointed specifically to Williams and Kenny Clark while praising Downs for what he can bring to the secondary.

Dallas will open the 2026 regular season against the New York Giants on Sept. 13, giving the revamped defense its first real test.

Michael Irvin warns Cowboys must protect their ‘America’s Team’ status

Irvin has also made it clear that the Cowboys cannot stay stuck in the same cycle. Dallas has not reached a Super Bowl since winning its third championship of the 1990s, leaving younger fans without the experience that once defined the franchise.

“We cannot remain America's Team if a whole generation of Americans never sees us in a championship game,” Irvin said, per Awful Announcing on X.

The Cowboys still have Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens leading an offense that produced plenty of points last season. Now, Irvin believes the defense finally gives Dallas the missing piece.

Prescott has also been backed by Jones with a $240 million contract extension that runs through 2028. The quarterback asked the franchise to prioritize fixing the defense, and Dallas responded with an aggressive offseason.

For Irvin, that leaves little reason to judge this Cowboys team by what happened last year. If the defense really is as different as he expects, Smith may have to hear about it all season.

Written by

Evince Das