Dallas Cowboys Taking Bold Risks for 2026: Will They Keep Swinging for the Fences?

After opting for a relatively safe choice in hiring Brian Schottenheimer as head coach in the 2025 offseason, the Dallas Cowboys were initially criticized for playing it too cautiously. Schottenheimer wasn’t a high-profile hire, but the Cowboys seemed to believe in him due to their familiarity with his coaching style. However, as the season progressed, Dallas showed a willingness to take bolder risks, which has ignited hope for the future.

The Cowboys’ Risky Moves in 2025

In what seemed like a departure from their typically conservative approach, the Cowboys pulled off several high-profile moves during the 2025 season. The George Pickens trade, sending key assets to the Pittsburgh Steelers to bring in the talented wide receiver, marked the beginning of a more aggressive strategy. Additionally, Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers before the season began, a move that raised eyebrows but hinted at a shift in Dallas’ thinking.

The blockbuster acquisition of Quinnen Williams before the NFL trade deadline also showed the Cowboys’ commitment to strengthening their roster, even at the cost of significant assets. While these moves didn’t immediately translate into success in the 2025 season, they signaled a team ready to go all-in for the future.

Bold Predictions for 2026: Extension for Pickens and Dak Prescott’s MVP Season

Ben Solak of ESPN recently made a bold prediction for the Cowboys’ future, and it centers around George Pickens and Dak Prescott. Solak believes that the Cowboys will take another major step in 2026 by signing Pickens to a long-term extension, ensuring that he and CeeDee Lamb form a dynamic receiving duo for years to come. According to Solak, this move will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of the Cowboys, ultimately setting the stage for Dak Prescott to win NFL MVP in 2026.

Solak‘s prediction is particularly interesting when considering the current landscape of NFL contracts. He speculates that Pickens will become the fourth-highest-paid receiver in the league, with a deal just under Lamb’s $34 million per year but ahead of DK Metcalf‘s $33 million per year. This would make Pickens a key figure in the Cowboys’ offense, further solidifying the team’s core of explosive weapons.

Dak Prescott’s MVP Potential

A Dak Prescott MVP season may have sounded far-fetched a few years ago, but the narrative around the quarterback has changed significantly. Prescott was a runner-up for the MVP in 2023 after an outstanding season, showing the league that he was capable of carrying an offense. Despite missing a portion of the 2024 season, Prescott returned stronger than ever in 2025 and was at the helm of one of the NFL’s most potent offenses.

Dallas’ offense proved resilient, winning seven games in 2025, including victories over both Super Bowl teams from the previous season. This success occurred despite a historically bad defense, which placed more pressure on Prescott and the offense. Given that Prescott has consistently delivered in tough situations, his potential to win the MVP in 2026 seems much more realistic, especially if the defense improves.

With the addition of George Pickens to the offensive arsenal and continued chemistry with CeeDee Lamb, Prescott would have one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the NFL, putting him in prime position for an MVP-caliber year. If the Cowboys can also solidify their defensive line and overall play, they could become serious contenders in 2026.

Looking Ahead: Will the Cowboys Continue to Swing for the Fences?

It’s clear that the Dallas Cowboys are trying to establish a more aggressive and forward-thinking culture under Schottenheimer. The question now is whether they will continue this bold approach in 2026. The offseason moves, like locking up George Pickens and making significant adjustments to the defense, could signal that Dallas is ready to fully capitalize on the talent already on the roster.

Dallas is no stranger to high expectations, and as they work toward 2026, they seem poised to take bigger risks with their roster and coaching decisions. The Cowboys’ offensive core, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and potentially George Pickens, has the potential to be one of the league’s most dangerous units. If they can continue to build on these aggressive moves, the Cowboys could be primed for their most successful season in years.

With Dak Prescott leading the charge and a revamped supporting cast, 2026 could be the year that the Cowboys finally break through and contend for a Super Bowl — but they’ll need to continue taking risks and making bold moves to get there. The time to push all in is now, and Dallas seems ready to do just that.