Our annual Dallas Cowboys fan survey was posted last week and it received a total of 1,314 responses. Not everyone provided an answer for all 15 questions, but the 13 multiple-choice questions each received at least 1,267 votes and the two write-in responses received at least 914.
The following should provide a good idea about how Cowboys fans are feeling heading into the offseason.
The freshness of the lengthy hiring process was well-received by fans with most giving it an A or B. Parker, 34, has never been a defensive coordinator at any level, which is much different than the Cowboys’ previous defensive coordinators of the last 12 years, all of which had not only NFL DC experience but also NFL head coaching experience.
As much as fans liked the Parker hire, he wasn’t the first choice for more than 90 percent of fans. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was the clear favorite, followed by Jim Leonhard, who recently was hired as Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, and former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Parker doesn’t have the experience of the others, but he’s been a fast riser in the coaching profession. Had he not been hired by the Cowboys, there’s a good chance Parker would’ve been another team’s DC next season.
Much like Parker wasn’t expected to be Dallas’ next defensive coordinator at the end of the season, Schottenheimer wasn’t expected to be the Cowboys’ next head coach following the end of the 2024 season. But things were solid in Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach. The offense was one of the best in the league with Schottenheimer calling plays, however, the defense was not close to being on the level of a playoff-caliber team.
Most Cowboys fans believe Schottenheimer is going to be around for at least three more seasons. Every Cowboys coach since 2003 has held the job for at least three and a half seasons. Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones seem to be extremely pleased with the job Schottenheimer did in Year 1, so there’s no reason to think they would be close to going in another direction.
Anything on defense would be an upgrade and it was a pretty close split in voting between cornerback, edge rusher and linebacker. Regardless of what happens in free agency, it’s a good bet at least one, if not both, of Dallas’ two first-round picks will be spent on those positions.
Drafting the two best players available is probably the correct answer, but the talent is so lopsided on the current roster that leaning defense makes sense. Trading back with one of the picks is realistic if the right offer is on the table. The defense needs several upgrades and being without second- or third-round picks is not ideal. To make things worse, it doesn’t appear to be a great draft class. There has to be something worth trading up for to get a trade partner.
No surprise that most Cowboys fans want whatever is going to keep Pickens on the roster. The All-Pro wide receiver exceeded expectations in his first season in Dallas. The expectation is that the Cowboys will place the franchise tag on him in hopes of working out a long term deal in the coming months. If there isn’t an agreement, look for Pickens to play under the one-year tag that would pay him around $28 million for the 2026 season.
There’s a good argument for either one. Williams is coming off a season with career-highs in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), TDs (11) and yards per carry (4.8), while Clowney looks like he has plenty of tread left on his tires (8.5 sacks, 12 TFL in 13 games). I would probably lean Clowney just because of how badly the Cowboys need playmakers on that side of the ball.
Dak Prescott took the top spot here last year, receiving 339 of the 874 votes. Trevon Diggs was second at 263. There were 958 responses to the question this year. Prescott’s number came down considerably as he had one of the best seasons of his career. Bland did not play well after getting a new four-year, $90 million deal in August. Foot injuries have been a major issue the past two seasons.
Ryan Flournoy caught 40 passes for 475 yards and four TDs in his second NFL season. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Prescott also received the most votes here a year ago, edging out Bland 85-81 of the 845 total responses. Prescott was again at the top among the 914 responses this time. A breakout season from wide receiver Ryan Flournoy makes him a deserving No. 2 candidate. The voting was too close after that to cut it off at a top 5.
The Philadelphia Eagles are clearly at the top of the NFC East, winning the division in back-to-back seasons. If the Cowboys hit on a few free agents and both first-round picks, they should be competing for the top spot next season. If not, they could fall all the way to No. 4, especially after the New York Giants were able to land John Harbaugh as head coach.
It’s hard to believe that it could be turned around so significantly that Dallas would be among the league’s best. But it’s also hard to believe it could be as bad as it was in 2025. Middle-of-the-pack is a possibility, but a little better should probably be the expectation with all the changes being made in one offseason.
Health is the only real question here. Prescott has shown that his play continues to be at a high level. If healthy, the 32-year-old could be the Cowboys quarterback well into his late 30s. If injuries start to add up, the timeline would change.
Anything less than making the playoffs would be a disappointment. There’s too much talent on offense. If the defense and special teams can show any improvement, Dallas should at least be a wild-card team.
It’s hard to believe that the Cowboys would have such a significant turnaround that they would end the 30-year drought next year. Jones is probably going to need to be around at least a few more years.