(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
I am SO amped to see how this season unfolds, beginning with training camp. In your minds, where does this team stack up (so far) with the 2023 team at this same point. Barring injuries, it doesn’t seem like the Cowboys are far off, and that 2023 team was doing well (undefeated at home) until the end. Thoughts? – Darren Plummer /Baltimore, MD
Kyle: In preparation for this answer, I looked back at my notes entering the 2023 season and I see a lot of positive. Healthy offensive line, Tyler Smith coming off a promising rookie year was encouraging up front. Dak was healthy throughout the offseason despite missing some time in 2022. Defensive front was stout with a veteran secondary and a couple key acquisitions in areas of need like Jonathan Hankins, Brandin Cooks, and Stephon Gilmore. I had a question mark around the running game without Ezekiel Elliott for the first time and wanted to see who stepped up in the front seven alongside the returning talent. Comparing that to this year, I’d say a lot of the same things. I’m concerned about the run game, but excited about the offensive line. There’s a lot of excitement around additions like George Pickens, Kenneth Murray Jr, and Kaiir Elam this offseason. There’s still a long way to go, but turning back the clock to 2023 makes me even more excited to see what 2025 could bring.