🚨🚨🚨COWBOYS CHAOS?: Just 24 hours before kickoff, the Dallas Cowboys were caught in a mass airport meltdown that left players, staff, and fans scrambling — and social media lit up with memes, panic, and conspiracy takes about their focus. Clips of long lines, delays, and frustrated faces are fueling speculation that travel drama could bleed into game day performance. The tension isn’t just about missed flights — it’s about whether America’s Team can shake off the turbulence before stepping on the field.

By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 22:40 EDT, 20 September 2025 | Updated: 22:40 EDT, 20 September 2025

The Dallas Cowboys hit a major stumbling block en route to Chicago for Sunday’s Week 3 game.

The Cowboys are set to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field at 4:25pm ET on Sunday as they look to improve to 2-1 against the winless hosts in Week 3.

However, the matchup looked to be at risk on Saturday when, just 24 hours before kickoff, the Cowboys had yet to take off.

The team had been scheduled to take off at 3:30pm ET, but found themselves ensnared in mass airport chaos, according to Pro Football Talk.

Equipment malfunctions at two Dallas airports put the Cowboys’ travel plans at risk as hundreds of flights were cancelled.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was slowing flights at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport because of a ‘reported local telephone company equipment issue,’ on Friday.

The Dallas Cowboys hit a major stumbling block en route to Chicago for Sunday’s game

The team was ensnared in the chaos at two Dallas airports, delaying their flight to Chicago

The same problems were also impacting Dallas Love Field, according to the agency, which said the issue did not involve FAA equipment.

The FAA expects the delays to continue well into Friday night.

According to FlightAware, as of late Friday afternoon, nearly 700 flights in and out of DFW Airport were delayed while about 200 canceled. About 160 flights were delayed in and out of Love Field while one flight was canceled.

The issue continued to impact flights out of the area on Saturday – including the Cowboys’.

The team’s flight was initially delayed with the players and staff unable to board for their scheduled takeoff.

However, despite fears that the team could be stranded in the Lone Star State – or face a 14-hour drive to the Windy City – the Cowboys eventually boarded their flight at around 4:40pm ET.

But the delay could have repercussions on their game preparations having pushed back their pre-game night routine.