The NFL Honors has become a prestigious event over the last few years, pitting some of the biggest stars in the league together for a special night to honor not only the best from this past season, but the all-time legends as well.
The Cowboys will be well-represented on both fronts, headlined by a couple of legends that are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The NFL Honors show, which will be aired at 8 p.m. CT on NBC & Peacock, is a healthy mix of the past and present. Here's a look at things to watch for, relating to the Cowboys.
Hall of Fame
The 2026 Hall of Fame class has been paired down from over 100 modern-era candidates, to 50 names and then 25 semifinalists, before getting down to 15. Among those, both Jason Witten and Darren Woodson are hoping to hear their names called.
For Witten, it's his first crack at it and over the years, getting to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer has been tougher than ever. Can Witten, the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and games played, be the exception to the rule?
To put it in perspective just how longer the wait has been for Woodson, his final year playing with the Cowboys was Witten's rookie season in 2003. Woodson has been retired for 23 seasons now and he's been a finalist four years in a row. The Cowboys' all-time leading tackler has remained patient with the process, but could this be the year the tide turns for one of the best safeties to ever play the game?
Walter Payton Man of the Year
He might be in his first season with the Cowboys, but Solomon Thomas is no stranger to the stage he'll have Thursday night. Thomas is a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the. Year Award, which rewards players for their dedicated efforts off the field and in their communities. Thomas has been a club finalist, voted on by the Jets the past three years and was recently voted the Cowboys’ 2025-26 nominee.
He now looks to not only win the award, but become the fifth player in Cowboys history to have this honor. Other Cowboys who have been named Man of the Year were Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Jason Witten and Dak Prescott.
Comeback Player of the Year
The goal for any NFL quarterback is to lead the team to on-field success, by winning enough games to get into the playoffs and hopefully beyond. For Dak Prescott, the Cowboys obviously came up short, winning just seven games. As the signal-caller and in his case, the highest-paid player in the NFL, the criticism often falls at the feet of Prescott when the Cowboys come up short on the field.
However, the 2025 season was one of Prescott's best statistical years, as he started all 17 games, which was quite a feat after missing 10 last year with a severe hamstring injury. Prescott came back to throw for 4,552 yards (second-highest of his career) and he led the NFL in passing attempts with 408.
Prescott in one of the finalists along with Stefon Diggs, Aidan Huthinson, Trevor Lawrence and Christian McCaffrey, who is considered the favorite.
Salute to Service Award
The 15th annual NFL Salute to Service Award recognizes players who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military members. Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is one of three finalists for this year's award, along with Christian McCaffrey and Aaron Jones.
"It is humbling to be recognized like this in relation to honoring our veterans and service members," said Ferguson. "Having the privilege to salute them and amplify the core values they represent to others is something that inspires me. I am deeply grateful for their service and the sacrifices they have made that benefit all of us."
