The Dallas Cowboys’ defense was the biggest problem on a team that finished 7-9-1 in 2025. Stephen A. Smith believes there is nowhere for the unit to go but up, but three-time Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin expects a much bigger jump in 2026.

Hall of Famer Irvin joined Smith on the Stephen A. Smith Sports podcast to discuss his expectations for Dallas. Smith pointed to how badly Dallas’ defense played last season. Irvin quickly pushed back, arguing that the changes made this offseason have created a much different group.

“...Not way up. But we're going way up. We're going way up. ....You'll be matching this to what you saw last year, and it's going to be such a difference after Week 1. You're going to be singing songs, singing like Whitney Houston, talking about this defense, singing good stuff,” Irvin said.

Speaking on his podcast on September 2, Smith has already predicted the Cowboys to win the NFC East, but he remains far less convinced about what happens after that.

The Cowboys allowed 511 points last season, the most in the NFL, while their offense scored 471 points, seventh-most in the league.

Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens gave Dallas enough firepower to compete. The defense repeatedly put the team in difficult spots.

Dallas attacked that weakness aggressively this offseason. The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons and added Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, and Von Miller.

First-round pick Caleb Downs also gives Dallas another piece in the secondary.

Irvin was disappointed to see Parsons leave. Still, he believes Jerry Jones addressed the middle of the defense in a way Dallas needed.

He specifically pointed to Kenny Clark and Williams up front, along with Downs on the back end.

That is why Irvin does not want Smith judging this defense solely by what happened last season.

The Cowboys will get their first chance to prove Irvin right when they open the 2026 season against the New York Giants on September 13.

Cowboys believe their defense can make a major jump

Dallas has plenty to fix after allowing 30.1 points per game last season, the worst mark in the NFL. The Cowboys also surrendered 377.0 total yards per game, ranking 30th in the league.

The expectation inside the building is much different this year. The front office added proven players, brought in young talent and hired Parker after his work with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Several analysts have also seen reasons for optimism. Daniel Jeremiah told The Pat McAfee Show that Dallas simply did not have enough defensive talent last season, but he believes the situation is different now.

“Last year, defensively, they just didn't have the horses. This year, they do,” Jeremiah said. “They are so much better, and then Christian Parker is outstanding as a defensive mind.”

Jeremiah went further, calling the revamped group a legitimate good defense that could complement what he sees as potentially the best offense in football.

The Cowboys still have to prove it on the field. But with the Giants waiting in Week 1, Irvin will not have to wait long to find out whether Dallas can go “way up.”

Written by

Evince Das