Will the Cowboys bounce back this year after a terrible campaign in 2024?
Ever since the 2013 season, the Dallas Cowboys have made six postseason appearances and have missed out on 5 other times. However, since 2021, they made a run of three consecutive years with a playoff appearance, which was snapped last season following a 7-10 record.
There were several factors for the Cowboys’ slump after three consecutive seasons of going 12-5. For starters, Dallas didn’t have as strong of an offseason as the other teams in their division, such as the Eagles and the Commanders.
Moreover, there were plenty of other teams in the NFC who either had a better roster or improved dramatically in the offseason. Then, there were injury problems to key players such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on offense, and DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, and Micah Parsons on defense.
All these factors played a big role in Dallas’ downfall, as did their coaching, but now, with the George Pickens trade to the Cowboys coming through, one NFL analyst believes this move will help Dallas challenge for the postseason once again.
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NFL analyst for ESPN, Dan Orlovsky, believes that trading for George Pickens will instantly provide a boost to the Cowboys’ offense. As per Orlovsky, Pickens was already averaging around 15 yards a catch in Pittsburgh, where the quarterback situation was an issue.
“The move squarely puts the Cowboys as a playoff contending football team this coming season. A couple months ago, it was the Cowboys could be a playoff contender if two things happen, number one that Dak Prescott has to stay healthy that hasn’t been the case recently, and then two, they got to get a number two guy opposite CeeDee Lamb. George Pickens in the chaos of the quarterback situation at Pittsburgh averages like 15 yards a catch, so we’re talking about adding that to a wide receiver opposite CD Lamb that is going to get you about 100-110 catches a season.”
Furthermore, Orlovsky also mentioned that while Pickens may not be the perfect receiver, his ability to stretch the field with a deep ball threat will be beneficial, especially with the Cowboys’ offensive line, which he feels will be one of the better ones in the league.
This year, the Cowboys have made some significant moves in the offseason, with the most crucial one being letting go of their head coach, Mike McCarthy, and promoting former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the position. Add to that the Cowboys selected a guard in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to counter the retirement of Zack Martin, and Dallas’s O-line looks better once more.
With Pickens joining the roster, it will no doubt allow Schottenheimer to be more creative on the offensive side of the ball. Lamb and Pickens can complement each other well as the former is known for his ability to make the tough catches in less space, while Pickens can stretch the field looking for the deep ball.
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have the defense in place with several playmakers on the team. If Dallas can remain healthier this season on both offense and defense, there is a strong chance they can push for the postseason in the upcoming season.
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