It wouldn’t be a proper weekday on ESPN’s First Take without Stephen A. Smith throwing a little shade at the Dallas Cowboys.
Continuing a ongoing debate about America’s Team, Smith and NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky clashed once again over Dallas’ 2025 outlook.
Orlovsky argued that the Cowboys could bounce back in a big way next season with a healthy Dak Prescott under center. But Smith, staying firmly on brand, wasn’t having it.
When Orlovsky pressed his co-host on whether he truly believed Dallas had no chance to reach the postseason, Smith didn’t hesitate… “Yeah. That’s about right,” he said bluntly.
Smith elaborated, pointing to one major factor that, in his eyes, will keep Dallas on the outside looking in come playoff time – their own division.
“I don’t see them being any better than third place in the NFC East. That’s why,” Smith added. “Now, if you’re going to tell me that three teams are going to come out of the NFC East to go to the playoffs, I’m all ears.”
To Smith’s point, three teams from a single division can make the postseason – the NFC North did it last year. But he made clear that he doesn’t think Dallas will be one of those lucky three.
Smith placed the Eagles and Commanders ahead of the Cowboys in the division pecking order, and also sees other NFC teams – like the Lions, Packers, and Vikings – as much better wild-card contenders.
Even with the 49ers losing key pieces this offseason, Smith still sees them as a stronger team than Dallas thanks to their supreme coaching staff.
“I trust Kyle Shanahan,” Smith said, while expressing skepticism about Cowboys offensive coordinator-turned-head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
There’s no denying Dallas had a rough 2024. After three straight 12-5 seasons, the Cowboys tumbled to 7-10, derailed by a wave of injuries.
Prescott appeared in only eight games. Defensive stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, and Trevon Diggs all missed time as the unit slid from 5th to 28th in the league rankings.
A healthier roster could make all the difference, and Orlovsky believes a rebound is coming.
But for critics like Smith, Dallas hasn’t done nearly enough this offseason – especially when it comes to adding another legitimate weapon alongside CeeDee Lamb.
Of course, Smith is not alone with his harsh assessment of Jerry Jones’ team.
On one hand, you know Prescott and the Cowboys will be as motivated as ever to prove the doubters wrong and finally break their brutally-long Super Bowl drought.
Having said that, do you think they’re truly capable of doing damage next season? With the NFC East looking so strong, do you see a path for Dallas to even make the playoffs???
