The Dallas Cowboys have plenty to prove after winning just seven games in each of the last two seasons and missing the playoffs both times. Their defense was especially concerning in 2025, having given up the most points per game.

Speaking with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams Show,” Dak Prescott described the competition between Dallas' offense and defense.

"It really essentially is with new players, a new coach, and they have an edge about themselves that they want to be talked about just as much as the offense is," Prescott said on August 14. "And so, it’s fun just getting out there competing against each other, knowing we’re getting better, and practices have been on the edge.”

Dallas has made several changes on defense, adding first-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, along with veterans Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson.

“It’s an iron sharpens iron mentality. You’ve got a defense that has pretty much been coming in trying to erase all memory of what last year’s defense was," Prescott said on Up & Adams Show on Kay Adams (YouTube) on August 14.

Quinnen Williams will also have a full season with the Cowboys after joining from the New York Jets Last November.

Christian Parker is another new piece as defensive coordinator after working with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys also have some work to do on offense. Despite having Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams, and Jake Ferguson, Dallas ranked 16th in the NFL in red zone touchdown efficiency last season, according to Round Table.

Prescott has taken Dallas to the playoffs five times during his career, but the Cowboys are just 2-5 in the postseason since 2016.

With a Super Bowl still the goal, Dallas will open the 2026 season against the New York Giants on September 13.

While the Cowboys work through those changes on the field, another important decision is already taking shape off it.

Dak Prescott weighs in on a key Cowboys contract situation

George Pickens could be the next big contract decision for the Dallas Cowboys after a strong first season with the team.

The Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers and then watched him put together the best season of his NFL Career in 2025. Dallas later placed the wide receiver on the franchise tag instead of signing him to a long-term deal.

“He should get every dollar that he deserves because he’s a hell of a player, and we should probably give it to him sooner than later because it’s only gonna go up,” Dak said on the same Up & Adams podcast.

The situation comes as Jerry Jones faces another important contract decision after previous sagas involving Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.

Dallas has preseason games against the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans Saints before opening the regular season against the New York Giants on September 13.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Rudra Dubey