The Dallas Cowboys, along with the NFL’s other 31 teams, officially reported to the 2026 training camp on Tuesday in Oxnard, CA. As usual, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones grabbed headlines with his opening press conference. During his remarks, Jones addressed several of the team’s biggest storylines heading into the 2026 NFL season.
One of his most notable comments from Jones’ speech was that the Cowboys are not focused on making splashy moves for publicity this year. Instead, Jones said the front office is willing to trade future draft picks if it helps make the team better in 2026.
Jones’ comments were welcomed by many Cowboys fans and one of them was former wide receiver of the team, Dez Bryant. Following the press conference, Bryant predicted that Dallas would reach the NFC Championship Game in the 2026 NFL playoffs. Bryant believes that the Cowboys will face the Los Angeles Rams, the former Super Bowl champions. “I love hearing that JJ is willing to go all in. I’m telling you, guys…Cowboys vs. Rams in the NFC Championship,” former WR said.
31 Years of Pain: Can the Cowboys finally end it in 2026?
It has been 31 long years since the Dallas Cowboys won a Super Bowl. Even worse, they have not reached an NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season. That drought is the longest in the NFC, and it stings for a franchise that calls itself America’s Team.
Fans are tired of early playoff exits and maybe that is why they don’t usually buy a Super Bowl hope. But why has the team not been at the higher levels in the NFL playoffs? Well, former players like Emmitt Smith have summed it up rightly. He has called out the Cowboys’ culture, saying the team cares more about fame than fighting for a title. And now, this year, the Cowboys are not focused on stirring the pot of popularity but on improving the team.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Brian Schottenheimer feel the pressure too and know that it is Super Bowl or bust for this roster and this fanbase. But there are the biggest hurdles for the Cowboys in 2026. The 2026 schedule does the Cowboys no favors. It is the fourth toughest in the league. They face the Ravens, Texans, Packers, 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams. Seven of their opponents made the playoffs last year. This is a brutal road to a championship.
So how can they actually do it? The defense must improve. They finished last in scoring last year and gave up 511 points. That cannot happen again. New coordinator Christian Parker and some key additions like Caleb Downs need to turn that unit around fast.
Though the offense is already elite. Dak threw for over 4,500 yards, and he has CeeDee Lamb and a solid run game with the electric receiving skills of George Pickens. They just need to carry the team while the defense finds its footing.
However, winning the NFC East is the first step. Sweeping the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles gives them a real shot. ESPN gives them a 48% chance to make the playoffs and a 12% chance to finally reach the NFC title game. Those odds are not great, but they are a starting point.
So the hunger is there and players and fans share one goal, which is to hoist the Lombardi Trophy again. The journey is tough, but this year feels like a real chance to end the nightmare.