(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Do you believe that a rapid improvement of defensive and overall team performance is possible? Do you think our offensive prowess gives Brian Schottenheimer enough of a head start to join quick-turnaround clubs like New England and Chicago?– Les Hoffman/Pell City, AL**
Mickey: Well, let's face it, the Cowboys don't really need as huge a turnaround since in 2024 New England finished 4-13 and the Bears 5-12. Remember, this Cowboys offense was pretty darn good, and the quarterback remaining healthy was a Pro Bowler, and as we witnessed in the playoffs better have strong QB play. Now it's a matter of needing defensive improvement, but for that to happen will take more than a staff change. The Cowboys must prioritize improving the personnel, first in free agency, then development of young talent and of course with those two first-round draft choices. Also remember how close the Cowboys were to winning two more games (Green Bay and Carolina) before punting away the final game against the Giants. Can be done for sure.
Tommy: I think it's too early to tell that. Sure, the offense is good enough for there to be one, but it's still TBD what the defense will look like from a personnel standpoint. There's a lot of unknowns in that department, which makes it difficult to project whether or not there can be a big turnaround, although the turnaround won't be as drastic as the Bears or Patriots who had four or five wins a year ago. Still, I think that it's plausible to believe the Cowboys just need to be around average on defense to be legitimate contenders in the playoffs, but there's a lot that'll need to go into that (free agency, the drat, etc.) that will determine that.
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