Hangin' with the 'Boys: Test of (Schedule) Strength

Shannon Gross, Jesse Holley, and Nate Newton discuss the Cowboys' 2025 schedule release, their thoughts on getting Micah Parsons signed before training camp, and more.

George Pickens is joining the team, but CeeDee Lamb is still the No. 1 guy. Should Coach Schotty sit down and make that clear to Pickens right from the jump? You bet! Plus, just what does he bring to the team? Was the price too high for what could be a one-year rental? And could this affect the culture the team is trying to build? Regardless, this trade has got people (and us) excited.

Recapping our thoughts on the Draft and the Dallas Cowboys first round pick Tyler Booker as well as why arrogance is needed as a professional athlete.

The time has finally come. The draft is here! So who should the Cowboys grab at No. 12? A receiver? Lineman? Cornerback? Running back? Speaking of, unless Ashton Jeanty is available, should they wait until Day 3 to get a running back? Should they trade down? No matter who they pick in the first round, as our man Nate says, they need a showstopper.

What do the Cowboys need in the upcoming draft? A player (or players) who can inject some hope into the team and season – a Michael Irvin, as Nate says. Plus, is head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offseason plan off to a good start? And it's time to say goodbye and honor another Cowboys great, Tyron Smith.

Nate Newton, Jesse Holley and Shannon Gross bring you the latest Cowboys news and updates.

The Cowboys have acquired or signed quite a few players this offseason who they liked coming out of college but haven't done much in the NFL. Is that the right strategy? Is this just for depth? Can they help them develop into something more? Plus, will the leash be short for head coach Brian Schottenheimer? And was it a surprise to hear him say there were building the roster from the outside in?

Been a lot of talk about Micah Parsons' leadership and his recent back and forth with DeMarcus Lawrence on social media. Should a Lion lose sleep worrying about the opinions of sheep? Plus, let's take a look at the draft. What position should the Cowboys be looking to fill in the first round? Does the heart say receiver while the head says offensive tackle? And what about a certain running back?

It's been a busy couple of days for the Cowboys as free agency gets going. So are we good with the strategy here? Signing depth guys with hopes they can make an impact? What about letting guys go like DeMarcus Lawrence, Jourdan Lewis and Rico Dowdle? Was that the right decision? Plus, the Cowboys have lost a few of their leaders. Will that be an issue in the locker room? Let's dig into the latest!

Zack Martin may be riding off into the Hall of Fame sunset, but there is still a team to be built. Now that Osa Odighizuwa is signed and the Cowboys have freed up some salary cap space, what do they do? Focus on re-signing their own guys? Or do they need to make a big free-agent splash? Or two? Plus, the Raiders extended Maxx Crosby's deal early. Why don't we see more of that?

So with Zack Martin riding off into the sunset, what do the Cowboys do now on the offensive line? Cooper Beebe was an All-American guard in college. Should he be moved back? Or is the bigger worry what's happening on the outside at tackle? Listen to what 6-time Pro Bowler Nate Newton has to say about it. Plus, are they really going to draft a QB? And let's also check out the recent NFLPA ratings.

Is the new coaching staff coming in with a fresh approach? Or is it the same old narrative. And what exactly is a "players' coach"? As Jesse explains, it's not what you might think. Plus, is the draft-and-develop philosophy working? And there's going to be a big jump in the salary cap, but for a team that tends to stay away from big splashes in free agency, will we see much of a difference?

We just saw Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. In today's NFL, do you need a mobile quarterback to be successful? We also witnessed a dominating Eagles defensive line. Is time for the Cowboys to really focus on that side of the ball? And are mistakes of the past keeping them from being active in free agency now?

Why is everybody hating on the Chiefs? Do we just get tired of greatness? The Cowboys of the 1990s found that to be true. Our man Nate Newton was there for all three title runs and shares some stories, particularly about his memories of Super Bowl XXX. Plus, have the Cowboys experienced anything like the Luka trade? And our predictions for the big game.

Time to talk about a new coaching hire. Was there really much risk with this decision? Because it all seems pretty comfortable. Is Brian Schottenheimer that right guy to lead the Cowboys into the future? Despite all his experience, being a head coach is a whole different ball game. One thing is for certain, though, we've got hope for what lies ahead.

Are the Cowboys simply trying to find a coach who makes them comfortable? Should they be looking for someone who can shake things up a little? A coach who has total control? Should they be seeking the players' input? And just how do the players feel about all this? Are they paying attention to the process? The coaching search marches on …

With Shannon off to Mexico, the rest of us will have to break down the Cowboys' current hunt for a new head coach. Could it Deion Sanders, who would bring an even bigger spotlight? How about Robert Saleh? Could he shake up the culture? Or will it be a familiar face in Kellen Moore? He knows his Xs and Os, but can he step up and rally the troops? Lot of different angles to consider as a new era approaches.

Is this the last game for Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff? If the Cowboys do want him back, are they prepared to give him a raise? Of course, this could also be the last game for several players. For those who will become free agents, who could be the priorities to re-sign? And how about a little story time with Nate and Jesse, who share what it was like after they played their last NFL game.

Why did Ezekiel Elliott request his release? Was leaving the team before the end of the season the right thing to do? And what about his future? Is he Ring of Honor worthy? Plus, should they start Trey Lance in this final game? What can they learn that they haven't already? And given Dak Prescott's injury, should the Cowboys start preparing for the future now?

The Cowboys don't really have anything to play for in this last game … or do they? As a team, they're trying to build a winning culture, and as players, they want to prove to coaches both here and possibly other teams that they're an asset. And who knows, for some this could be their last time stepping on an NFL field. Think that doesn't matter?

Nate, Shannon, and Jesse discuss the latest Dallas Cowboys news & more.

Nate Newton, Shannon, and Kyle Youmans discuss the latest Dallas Cowboys news & more.

Who is the weak link of Philadelphia's offense? Well, it just might be the quarterback … if he plays. So if he does, how can the Cowboys limit Jalen Hurts' effectiveness when he's surrounded by a top offensive line and so many weapons? Defensively, the Eagles' strength is also on the line of scrimmage. Can Dallas figure out how to slow down to of the games' best defensive tackles, Jalen Carter and Milton Williams?

Rookie Marist Liufau was one of the players wearing the green dot last Sunday. What exactly does that mean? Is there more to it than just calling out plays? And what are some of the games being played between the offense and defense, the checks and rechecks, especially along the line of scrimmage. Plus, talking trash, fighting tough, playing hard … also known as life in the NFL. Merry Christmas!

Despite being eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the day, the Cowboys played inspired football in Sunday night's win. Did they just have nothing to lose? Were they playing for pride? For McCarthy? For stats? Plus, CeeDee Lamb continues to shine, Brandon Aubrey is setting records and the defense just keeps getting better and better. Let's celebrate a holiday version of Victory Monday!