The Dallas Cowboys have boasted confidence in their offseason moves, but many fans have questioned whether the team has improved enough to reach the playoffs. However, one Cowboys analyst believes there is room for optimism and pushed back on the negative outlook.

During Episode 185 of the Doin' Alright podcast, host Voch Lombardi argued that the Cowboys' defensive overhaul during the offseason has put the team in a better position than last season.

He believes that the Cowboys have made significant changes and improvements since a disappointing season in 2025, where they finished with a 7-9-1 record and ranked near the bottom in defense.

“How much has to happen before you can comfortably be optimistic?” Lombardi said. “The Cowboys have a horrific defense. The offense is fantastic. You can trust this offense. If Dak is healthy, you can trust this offense.' Why? Because every other year where Dak is healthy, the offense is top whatever and he's in a conversation of having his best year. The big talking point was how much change on defense does it require for you to feel good about your Dallas Cowboys?"

Lombardi expressed frustration with fans and analysts judging the team's improvements based on the number of additions made to the roster. He believes that the Cowboys have more than enough key pieces on the defense.

Defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark are returning for their second season with the Cowboys. Linebacker Dee Winters was added to the LB room to boost depth following the Micah Parsons trade.

LB DeMarvion Overshown returns healthy for the 2026 season and is expected to wear the green dot and play as MIKE linebacker in defensive coordinator Christian Parker's 3-4 scheme.

The Cowboys also added first-round pick Caleb Downs and safety Jalen Thompson to strengthen the secondary.

"I think they flipped the defense enough to where not even confidently, but I can optimistically say, they're probably going to get to the playoffs," Lombardi added. "They probably, you know, are in a better position to be better now than they were last year."

Though doubts remain regarding the Cowboys' potential to reach the Super Bowl, Lombardi believes that the revamp of defense has been significant enough to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs in the 2026 season.

Dak Prescott praises better communication across the Cowboys' defense

According to Tommy Yarrish of Dallas Cowboys.com, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was impressed with the defensive unit communicating on all levels of defense using code words based on their respective role.

"When we motion or make moves or calls, they're as loud as we are, they're echoing," Prescott said, per Yarrish. "A defense that communicates a lot is usually a defense that's sound, so just excited about that."

Under DC Parker, Prescott finds the defensive unit to be more energetic, competitive, and tougher, with trash-talking and intensity in each position group on defense.

The improved communication and competitiveness in defense have also instilled a sense of competition and pressure on Prescott in a good way, as they are entering the training camp on July 28.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi