Since that night, T-Sizz (the nickname given to him by his peers) has overcome every negative thought or quote set out for him on draft night, resulting in a new four-year contract extension worth $96 million and a MASSIVE guaranteed $81 million. The Cowboys do not miss when it comes to the offensive line position.

The New York Giants, on the other hand…

Since 2011, the Cowboys and the Giants, like most successful teams, have invested significant draft capital into their offensive lines. During this stretch, both teams selected seven players in the first or second rounds. Both have drafted linemen in other rounds, but for this exercise, we’re just focusing on the first two, which are supposed to bring Pro Bowl players or at least plus-level starters.

Here are the players Dallas and New York have selected since 2011.

Out of the seven names above for the Giants, only one (Andrew Thomas) has been named to an All-Pro team, and none have made it to the Pro Bowl.

Conversely, the Cowboys have had 18 All-Pro nominations for the group and 24 Pro Bowl appearances combined for their seven players. Connor Williams might have been the Giants’ best offensive lineman next to Thomas if he were drafted by New York. Instead, he is probably near the bottom of the list for Dallas because the players above him are future Hall of Fame players.

Even when the Giants try to attack their offensive line woes in other ways, like through free agency, they still end up with the same issues. Nate Solder was given a record-setting $62 million contract in 2018 to play for Big Blue. He played three seasons for the Giants (opting out of 2020 due to the pandemic) and retired from the NFL in 2022. He never became the player New York was hoping for when they signed him.

Williams may be the only one who some could consider a bust in Dallas, who puts a chip in their armor, to what has been a stellar track record of drafting o-linemen high. Williams started 51 games with the Cowboys over four years. If that’s considered a “failure,” sign me up for that every time when it comes to a second-round pick.

The story has yet to be written about Tyler Guyton and Tyler Booker. Both are trending in the right direction after Guyton struggled in year one with Dallas, and Booker is still finding his footing as a rookie. Either way, the Giants would love to have both of them on their team if they could, given the current state of their offensive line.

When fans criticize the Cowboys for drafting too many offensive linemen early in the draft, look across the field at the Giants’ sideline and realize how bad it could have been or could be when a team doesn’t know how to evaluate such a critical position.

Building in the trenches can lead to regular-season success and, hopefully, a championship. Dallas has proven to be one of the best; now, they must show that all their efforts can help them reach a Super Bowl.

Thank God I did.

I will never forget the sheer panic I felt typing the breaking news article for Blogging the Boys about what looked like Dak Prescott wearing a boot on vacation. Everyone instantly put on their inspector hats, trying to figure out if it was indeed the quarterback of America’s Team.

At that moment, even amidst the lack of communication in contract negotiations with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, I thought that photo would be the worst and strangest thing to happen that season.

It turns out that image was just the tip of the star for what would become of the 2024 season. There would be many more unfortunate events to sift through, starting with the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers at home.

1) Cowboys lose to Green Bay Packers 48-32 at home

This would be the straw that effectively broke the camel’s back for the Cowboys. Heading into their best playoff positioning since the 2016 season, Dallas would be hosting the 7th seed Green Bay Packers and have home-field advantage for most of the 2023 playoffs.

At the very least, what was supposed to be a competitive victory over the extremely young and raw Packers team turned into a sequel to the SAW franchise. Almost every player and coach could have been held responsible for the no-show performance, which ended with questions about the franchise's future.

Would Mike McCarthy be let go before the final year of his contract? What would become of Dak Prescott’s contract situation? Would Dan Quinn return as DC or supplant McCarthy as the next head coach?

A lot went wrong on January 24, 2024, setting up the spiral that would occur just eight months later.

2) Jerry Jones brings back Mike McCarthy as HC

In hindsight, with a year to sit on the Wild Card loss, this was probably the most shocking move of the 2024 offseason, considering Dallas was coming off its worst postseason performance in franchise history.

However, after three consecutive 12-win seasons, Jerry Jones felt like McCarthy earned the chance to finish out his contract and prove he was worth another deal.

(Jerry Jones’ released statement on retaining McCarthy for the 2025 season)

3) Micah Parsons has Jordan Love on his podcast during the playoffs

Fans know by now that Micah Parsons is very plugged in with everything related to media and social media. Now, being the President of Content for B/R Gridiron, he has the platform for his podcast.

One of the episodes after the season that aired featured him with Jordan Love, who is still fresh off the playoff loss. I believe Parsons can do whatever he wants, but I know that fans were upset at the time that he had Love on as a guest.

4) Cowboys hire Mike Zimmer after Dan Quinn leaves for Washington, 11 days later.

After the 2023 season, the Cowboys lost many veteran players. Still, none more than Dan Quinn. Players like Dante Fowler, Tyler Biadasz, and Dorance Armstrong followed Quinn to the division rival Washington Commanders.

Despite the awful final impression Quinn left, his tenure in Dallas greatly exceeded that and changed the culture and outside perception of what the Cowboys defense could be. Quinn is why Micah Parsons has become one of the most feared edge rushers in the NFL.

Once he left, the pool of proven coordinators was limited. However, Mike Zimmer emerged as the most logical choice given the “win-now” circumstances. The one concern was if his stern coaching demeanor would connect with the Cowboys locker room.

5) Cowboys sign just Eric Kendricks and Zeke Elliott at the start of free agency

The 2023 offseason will go down as one of the most memorable in recent history, and it was for all the wrong reasons. If the Cowboys were truly in this “win-now” mode, they needed to recoup the losses of veteran players like Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, Johnathan Hankins, and the three who left for Washington.

Instead, the front office went in the opposite direction and signed Eric Kendricks, Royce Freeman, and Ezekiel Elliott. Kendricks proved to have the staying power of the three, but maybe the franchise’s lack of involvement signaled that all of the pressure would be on McCarthy and his staff.

6) Jerry Jones’ “All In” comment during the draft

My teachers often quiz us on historical figures in history class and match them with their most famous quotes. A fun exercise that would examine the most impactful sayings to define our nation for generations.

Jerry Jones has said a lot in his time as Owner and General Manager, but national media heard “All In” just once and ran with it to the ends of the earth. I am also guilty of using that phrase WAY TOO MUCH, but it was the low-hanging fruit.

I’m assuming every check Jones writes can be cashed, but saying Dallas was “all in” and then not acting on it was one check that should never have been brought to the bank in the first place.

7) Jerry Jones’ love for Jonathan Brooks

After Tony Pollard, the team’s leading rusher for the last two seasons, departed for the Tennessee Titans, Dallas needed a running back. For the first time in a long time, the free agency pool at the position featured a ton of talent.

Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Aaron Jones, among other veteran players, were available on the market. Maybe Dallas was scared to play ball by offering more than $10 million a year to a “depreciated asset.”

Instead, the team looked to the draft, and Jerry Jones had difficulty hiding his love for Texas running back Jonathan Brooks before the second round. Brooks was unlikely to make it to Dallas anyway, as most considered him to be one of the best at his position in the class. But it was only fitting that after Jones called Brooks one of the best interviews ever, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers ten picks before Dallas.

8) Boot Gate with Dak Prescott (4th of July)

The intro already mentioned Boot Gate 2024. I'm sure many people in the local media remember what they had for breakfast that day. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Shout out to Juan Carlos Vázquez for breaking the internet.

9) The “LOL” heard around the world

CeeDee Lamb was due for a significant payday entering the final year of his rookie deal (2024 was his 5th year option season). Justin Jefferson signed his contract earlier in the offseason, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, thus setting the parameters of what Lamb and his representatives expected.

As we have all discovered together, contract extensions move at a snail’s pace in Dallas, so Lamb sat out for almost the entire offseason and spent time away from the team. His holdout stretched to training camp.

Whenever Lamb posted or commented on something last offseason, it was priority No. 1 in the news cycle. I found that out the hard way when I posted about him hosting a youth camp in July, and it could be the first time we heard from Lamb about his contract status. The star wide receiver made it clear he would answer zero questions about contract talks and have his focus solely on the kids. I can’t argue with him there.

Lamb’s recent episodic documentary on YouTube highlighted that moment and how he felt after Jerry Jones talked about his deal not being an urgency to get done. Who knew a simple lingo most people use in text would carry such a powerful message? It was the all lowercase letters that made me realize he was upset.

10) Dak Prescott talks about “thoughts of playing somewhere else.”

It was the first time we had heard Dak Prescott talk about having “no fear” of his future, whether in Dallas or elsewhere after the 2025 season. Hearing Prescott say this out loud made me very concerned about the direction of contract negotiations.

11) Sam Williams torn ACL in the first week of training camp

Just a gut punch of an injury, no less, during one of the first training camp practices. Sam Williams was primed to take a big leap entering his third year and showed some outstanding flashes in 2023 as a rotational player.

However, his injury would be a precursor to what would ultimately define the 2024 season—injuries.

12) Cowboys DT pushes Rams staff member

I’m just 28 years old, and I've been covering football professionally for less than half the time I’ve been alive. To this day, I don’t think I have ever seen a stranger thing happen in practice when the clip surfaced on social media from none other than Jon Machota.

The best and maybe worst part about the video is that I didn’t realize until watching it repeatedly that Albert Huggins (who did not embody his last name) flipped off the Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman on his way back to Dallas’ side.

No one should do this in any work setting, even on a football field.

13) Fire breaks out at the Cowboys’ hotel in Oxnard

Yeah, this happened. Again, another thing that happened from last offseason seems to fit right in line with how topsy-turvy the season was.

14) DaRon Bland's foot injury a week before the season

Even with Trevon Diggs returning from the ACL injury he suffered in 2023, the Cowboys had an All-Pro corner in their back pocket to allow Diggs to slow play his recovery if he needed to before Week 1.

Bland was coming off a historic season and would look to capitalize on it after an intense training camp. Unfortunately, like Williams, the injury bug got hold of Bland, and he had a stress fracture in his foot that kept him out for most of the season.

The finalist for Defensive Player of the Year just a season earlier never found his footing returning to the field later in the year. Things could have been a lot different if not for that injury.

15) CeeDee Lamb signs his extension after holding out

The contract dispute with one of the Cowboys cornerstone players ended, making CeeDee Lamb one of the highest-paid at his position in the league. A well-deserved contract for a player who has lived up to the jersey number on his back.

Lamb detailed the events leading up to the signing in episode one of his self-made documentary about last season.

16) Dak Prescott signs record-setting contract extension HOURS before Week 1

Talk about timing. The Dak Prescott contract negotiation came down to the wire, literally hours before he hoped to head to the stadium for Week 1 on the team bus.

The article I wrote back in March contains everything you need to know about this negotiation with Prescott’s agents at Athletes First. It can be found here.

The biggest takeaway from the article is that Todd France, Prescott’s agent, felt confident that if a deal had not been done with Dallas, they would have gone into free agency in 2025, willing to explore options outside the Cowboys. A reality I am more than happy not to be a part of.

17) Jordan Phillips' phantom wrist injury

Jordan Phillips was a defensive tackle the Cowboys traded for before the final cut-down days with the New York Giants. The assumption is that Dallas felt he could have a market with other teams, so they wanted to get him before he hit the market. They desperately needed help at defensive tackle, prompting them to sign Linval Joseph.

Phillips didn’t have a great start to the season, and at one point was caught going after an offensive lineman during the New Orleans Saints blowout loss rather than going after the quarterback.

A few days later, Phillips lands on injured reserve for a wrist injury. However, when asked about it in the locker room, Phillips mentioned he didn’t know why he landed on IR and that it was “above” his pay grade. Was it a disciplinary move by Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff? Who knows, but Phillips would later be released that season and sign with the Buffalo Bills.

18) Dak Prescott comments while walking to the locker room, “Jump off if you want to.”

Dak Prescott usually keeps things cool even after a loss, but this was after a second consecutive blowout loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens. While walking back to the locker room, Prescott was caught on camera saying to the media, “Jump off if you want to.”

He didn’t say anything wrong, but Prescott seemed out of character to say something like that in the moment. Feeling the pressure of two lackluster performances at home can make people do things out of the ordinary.

19) ESPN article with former players talking about the tours and the distraction of the star

Just when we thought we had exhausted our topics regarding the Cowboys, something else fell from the sky right into our laps (we’ll get to that later). In October, ESPN's Kalyn Kahler asked if the team facility tours were a hurdle to postseason success.

It was just a small question that led to the larger topic of whether the Star’s shine is too bright and a distraction for the players who wear it. Former tight end Dalton Schultz was the first to discuss distractions openly on the Pat McAfee Show. Kahler also got former players, like KJ Henry, Jayron Kearse, Dorance Armstrong, Tony Pollard, Kelvin Joseph, and Dante Fowler, to discuss it on the record.

While not all of the comments were negative, it was the first time more than one player was willing to engage in the topic of the spotlight that comes in Dallas, being a potential distraction.

20) Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence got injured in the same game

It’s just Week 4 of the regular season, and the team was already without Sam Williams and DaRon Bland. Two more players would be added to the list after their win against the New York Giants.

Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence would be lost for at least four games with lower-body injuries. This would be the first time Parsons missed any game time, and the defense was now down three of their top pass rushers.

It wouldn’t be the last as rookie Marshawn Kneeland, who was ready to take on a starting role, injured his knee the following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers and would be lost for most of the year.

21) Brandin Cooks’ knee infection from an injection

If losing two starters wasn’t bad enough after the win in New York, the team’s second wide receiver, Brandin Cooks, had an infection develop in his knee from injections to prevent getting his knee scoped.

In putting things together for when the information came out. Since then, it sounds like Cooks had the injections done outside the team facility with his own doctors. The infection would cause Cooks to miss the next seven games and not return until Week 13.

22) Jerry Jones’ appearance on Shan & RJ (10/15/24)

This would end up being the spiciest moment of the season: Jerry Jones being interviewed during his weekly appearance on Shan and RJ on 105.3 The Fan, almost threatening to remove the hosts from their positions at the station or no longer appear on their show.

Either way, talking about it wouldn’t do it justice, so listen to the entire appearance/interview for yourself.

23) Brandon Aubrey gets Jury Duty

That day, I found out that, just like the rest of us, even NFL athletes must fulfill their civil obligation of attending jury duty. Aubrey didn’t miss time because of it and was able to have an excuse not to attend.

24) The Jones family gets into an accident ahead of the 49ers game

This was another thing I forgot until re-reading the list I compiled of things happening last season. The family car that housed Jerry Jones, his children, and his grandson was hit by a barricade outside Levi Stadium

Luckily, no one was injured in this event. Just another strange occurrence, part of the 2024 season.

25) Rico Dowdle gets sick on game day

The Cowboys never really figured out their running back rotation, even after Rico Dowdle showed more than enough against the Pittsburgh Steelers; he was the best back on the roster.

Dowdle got ill before the game against the San Francisco 49ers. These things happen, but people on social media were putting on their investigator hats again, especially after Jordan Phillips' “wrist injury.”

It was the first game Dalvin Cook (yeah, he was on the practice squad!) would be elevated for game day action. He followed that up with six attempts for 12 rushing yards.

26) Trevon Diggs, Mike Leslie situation post-game

Some players don’t like the media, so take the Marshawn Lynch approach and talk to them so they don’t get fined. Other players are plugged into social media and know what is said about them online.

Trevon Diggs has a strong online presence. After the loss to the 49ers in San Francisco, Diggs took offense to something Mike Leslie posted earlier in the game about a George Kittle catch-and-run. Instead of handling the matter privately, Diggs approached Leslie outside the locker room and called him out for his tweet.

The two made up a few days later, Diggs’ media availability, and cleared the air. This moment, however, shows how tensions can get the best of us in difficult situations and when adversity hits. That loss would be the third straight against the 49ers and the second one in three years in their building.

27) Ezekiel Elliott decides not to travel with the team to Atlanta

Re-signing Ezekiel Elliott was never supposed to solve the team’s issues at running back, but there was hope that a year away from the team in New England would rejuvenate the former franchise star and turn back the clock.

It never worked out, and Elliott could not capture the same magic he had in Dallas earlier in his career. This was the tipping point for the former Pro Bowl back, who was unhappy with his role on the team and wanted to clarify his voice/stance.

The team also benched the running back in response to “habitual absences” from meetings. Elliott’s curtain call in Dallas ended with 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The team would later release him, granting his wish of joining a playoff contender looking to chase a Super Bowl. Elliott landed with the Los Angeles Chargers, who were bounced out of the playoffs on Wild Card weekend.

28) Dak Prescott hurts his hamstring in the loss to the Falcons, leading to season-ending surgery.

Even with a healthy Prescott at quarterback, the team struggled to find answers on offense. This would be the final nail in Dallas’ hopes of reaching the postseason for a fourth consecutive season.

Did Prescott injure his hamstring on the longest run by any Cowboy to that point in the season? Maybe, but only Prescott knows the answer for sure. I chalk it up to just bad luck and the nature of the season from hell for everyone involved. Even his signature Romo-style touchdown to Rico Dowdle isn’t remembered because it’s caught in the shadow of this injury. Just so things aren’t all doom and gloom, here’s a replay of that touchdown.

29) Curtain gate 2024: Home Game vs. Philadelphia Eagles

It wouldn’t be a signature season from the Black Lagoon without the sun, and the lack of curtains at home is a topic of conversation in Dallas. When the Cowboys offense was marching down the field, trying to gain momentum, CeeDee Lamb lost the ball in the sunlight, which should have been a touchdown.

The stadium’s lack of curtains during an afternoon gameday came into question again. It’s not like the team does not have any. The curtains have been up for major concerts and events, so it’s not like they don’t exist. Is there any logical reason why they are not there on game day? To quote Jordan Phillips, I’m sorry that’s above my pay grade.

30) Jerry Jones says on 105.3 The Fan that Kellen Moore knew where the sun was as the Cowboys' OC

After the loss to the Eagles, Jerry was asked by the media about the curtains and the sun being an issue for his players. Jones responded very Jones-like: "I’m saying, the world knows where the sun is. You get to know that almost a year in advance. Someone asked me about the sun. What about the sun? Where’s the moon?”

Jones went on the radio the next day and said the sun gave the team a home-field advantage. He also talked about Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and how he would have known where the sun was.

“Kellen Moore knew about it,” Jones said. “He spent, I’m sure he spent a lot of time — their coordinator, who used to be here — I’m sure he spent a lot of time planning and thinking about where the sun is going to be. He should.”

Could this have been a shot at Mike McCarthy for not scheming up a play that took Lamb’s route away from the sun? Even Lamb admitted the sun was a distraction and was 1000% in favor of putting up curtains. It was more of a deflection, trying to take the heat off Jones, but the Cowboys owner made his point clear. Dallas has to work around it for now, like everyone else does.

31) The first time the roof opens on MNF vs the Texans, the sky begins to fall

It’s a shame Chicken Little wasn’t at AT&T Stadium that night against the Houston Texans, because he wouldn’t have had to convince anyone when he said the sky was falling.

Sticking with the theme of unfortunate events, the first time the Cowboys opened the roof for a home game in two years, pieces of the roof began to fall from the sky before the game started. Luckily, no one was injured, but the roof was never opened for the rest of the season, and God went another year without ever watching America’s Team.

Pat McAfee wrapped things up nicely in this clip, summarizing fans' feelings to this point in the season.

32) Zack Martin's season-ending IR Ankle Surgery; Last time we saw him wear the Star

This one probably hurt the most to see. The Cowboys were already on their way to losing the game against the Texans, only to see Zack Martin get injured before it was over. Martin went down to one knee, and on the broadcast looked to say “I can’t go,” shaking his head to the medical staff.

That is not how anyone wanted to see Martin’s career end, but that would be the final time Martin stepped onto the field. He retired this offseason, deciding to hang up his cleats. He will go down as an all-time Cowboy and be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player five years from now. Unfortunately, he won’t have a Super Bowl trophy next to his name in Canton.

33) Daniel Jones’ photo on the team website

Of course, this happened and was quickly fixed. It was a glitch on the team’s website. This is the one time a picture is not worth 1,000 words. I don’t want to waste another one on this; I just wanted to highlight it. That’s enough words.

34) On the radio after the Washington game, Jerry Jones says, “He doesn’t think it’s crazy to believe he could offer Mike McCarthy a contract extension.”

The Cowboys were coming off an emotional victory on the road against a surging Washington Commanders team, versus their former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. Entering the season, Jones was adamant he would not talk about Mike McCarthy’s job security until after the season was over and they evaluated everything.

This was the first time he backed up his head coach during the season, saying it was entirely possible McCarthy would be back with a contract extension in Dallas despite their struggles. At least that vote of confidence took the pressure off McCarthy’s shoulders, even if it was minimal.

35) Tyson chicken nuggets: Cowboys themed

Speaking of chicken. Something like this flies under the radar of almost everyone else on the planet, but I thought announcing Cowboys-themed chicken tenders is funny when the team is at least four games below .500.

36) Dak Prescott vocally endorses Mike McCarthy's return to coach next year under a new extension…..

Even with the star quarterback sidelined for the season, Prescott wanted to express his feelings about Mike McCarthy and his deservingness of a new deal.

The one thing Prescott said that caught the media's attention was that he hoped Mike McCarthy would get a chance to have “more influence on his terms.”

37) …only for Mike McCarthy to say the next day he doesn’t know what Prescott meant by that

I’m sure McCarthy appreciated his quarterback’s ringing endorsement for him to stay in Dallas. Still, he probably didn’t want his quote to become a distraction or maybe make the front office believe he was using players as a way for him to return to Dallas.

The next day, McCarthy addressed the comments, saying he’d had the most input he’d ever had as the head coach in Dallas and didn’t know exactly what Prescott said.

The players seemed to enjoy their time with McCarthy, so I believe the star quarterback truly meant what he said about wanting his coach back. From McCarthy’s point of view, it probably would have been best for him to leave the part about control out.

38) The botched blocked punt against the Bengals

The Cowboys had the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals (even though they were not good either) on the ropes, but they would somehow find a way to win the game with Cooper Rush and a depleted team. The Cowboys had been losing at home all season, and it looked like things were finally changing… that is what I said until I saw Amani Oruwariye blow up the blocked punt.

You feel bad for the kid, but you know that he was just trying to make a play on the ball. It’s a hard lesson from the NFL, and I’m sure he’ll never forget it. It was just another cherry on top of the crazy moments that happened last year.

39) DeMarvion Overshown & Trevon Diggs lost to season-ending injuries

The loss at home to the Bengals went from worse to apocalyptic. DeMarvion Overshown, a star in the making last season, left the game in the fourth quarter with what looked like a nasty knee injury. It was later confirmed to be serious, and the young linebacker would need season-ending surgery for the second straight season.

Trevon Diggs also left the game with an injury, which will result in his landing on season-ending injured reserve.

Both players should come back at some point this season, but in a lost year where it didn’t amount to anything, you wish they could hit the reset button and get a clean start as early as Week 1.

40) Strange rumors about Micah trade despite Stephen Jones’ comments about keeping him long term

Stephen Jones spoke to NFL.com about wanting to keep Micah Parsons with the team long term and said, “You don't do well in this league letting guys like Micah, usually, leave the house.

Then, trade rumors started to float around about Parsons and whether he would be traded in the offseason (which, of course, has not and will not happen). Maybe the rumors started with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, but the noise got loud enough that Parsons had to address it on his podcast.

41) Mike McCarthy gets support from Jerry Jones after a win at home against Tampa Bay

The Cowboys' best win of the season came against the would-be playoff-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they finally looked like the team fans hoped for all season, albeit with bandaged up, super-glued, and duct-taped.

After the game, Jerry Jones spoke to the media and once again supported his head coach, saying, “Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think they’re playing for the Super Bowl out there. He won’t let them do it. Proud of that. Proud of the coach.”

42) Someone breaks into the car of Dak Prescott’s fiancée. Do you leave anything important in your car?

This is a cruel reminder that there are just bad people out there who want to do bad things. No one was hurt, which is the most important thing, but apparently, the people who broke into the car got away with a lot of valuable items. The total value of what was taken was around $40,000.

This begs the question: Do you keep anything valuable in your car at all times and not worry about someone stealing it? Did you change your mind after hearing about this incident?

43) Cowboys end season with uncertainty around Mike McCarthy’s future, wait one week, and decide to move on

The final season of the McCarthy era in Dallas ended with a last-minute loss at home to Quinn’s Commanders. The Cowboys had a 7-10 record, the first time since McCarthy’s inaugural season in Dallas.

A real full-circle moment for the head coach in the worst way. Should the Cowboys have given McCarthy another bite at the apple for at least a few more seasons? Maybe, but we won’t be able to answer that until we see what’s in store for 2025. I’m sure McCarthy wanted more security than just a one to two-year contract. Ultimately, it took about a week, but both sides came to a “mutual” decision to part ways and go in separate directions.

44) The front office conducts a small head coaching search, landing on Brian Schottenheimer

The final piece of the puzzle before turning the page to chapter 2025 was the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as the team’s next head coach. Dallas conducted a very small coaching search and decided not to interview big-name candidates like Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn.

Once they interviewed Schottenheimer, it seemed like he immediately won the front office over and forced them to stop looking elsewhere. So far this offseason, Schotty has been the biggest winner because of the way he’s connected with his players, talks to the media, and makes an effort to honor the legacy of the Cowboys brand.

Who knows if this will all translate into wins on the field, but we can’t answer that now because his story hasn’t been written. For the sake of the sanity of this fanbase I love so dearly, I hope this chapter is more like a fairy tale than something out of the Darkhold.

(I do not own the rights to any clips in this article. They are used for content purposes only.)

It might not always be seen, but it’s there. Three words encapsulate what it means to be a Schottenheimer—Faith, Family, and Football.

When Brian Schottenheimer rolls up his sleeves on Sundays, you might catch a glimpse of those words tattooed on his forearm. He spoke about getting the tattoo in 2023, right before the team left for training camp, and went into deep detail about why those three words mean the most to him, the reason they are his “why.”

In that video, you can tell how much family means to Brian. Since becoming the tenth head coach in Dallas Cowboys history, he has been open about the importance of family being central to his coaching philosophy and the lessons he’s learned from his father.

As Brian celebrates his first Father’s Day as an NFL head coach with his family, his Dad, Marty Schottenheimer, will be right by his side, even though he is no longer with us.

“I know he’s proud,” Brian said during his press conference on Thursday. “I miss him. I would tell him that I used all the life lessons that he taught me, not just about football, but about life and being a good man, a good husband, and a good father, and that I think I’m doing okay for myself. I know he’s proud, I miss him like crazy…but Father’s Day will be a special day. I’m obviously a father of two amazing kids and I’ll talk to my mom, but I know he’s looking down on me…”

Marty Schottenheimer, a Hall of Fame-worthy head coach, passed away in February 2021. He coached in the NFL for 21 seasons with four different franchises: the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers.

Marty ranks eighth in league history with 200 wins among head coaches and has led his teams to 18 playoff appearances and three championship games. I was too young to experience or remember the Marty Schottenheimer era in the NFL because by the time he coached his final season with the Chargers, I was ten years old.

So, when we lose a loved one, what can we do to make sure their legacy is not forgotten and can be shared with people who never got to know them?

When my grandfather passed away a few months ago, the priest at his funeral said that even though future generations will never know him, it is our responsibility to be the link that connects my grandfather with those who come after us, so they can get to know the great man he was.

For me, Brian has become the bridge that helps fill in the gaps of who his father was, not only as a head coach but also as a person. When listening back to all of the press conferences with Brian and interviews he’s done since coming to Dallas, I stumbled on “A Football Life: Marty Schottenheimer,” the NFL Films documentary (apologies for the sluggish speech and mirrored imaging). I knew this would help me color in the lines of where Brian gets his charisma and energy from.

Football: Marty Ball

Being able to play the Marty Schottenheimer brand of football meant a team had to be a dominant, physical team. He was known for wanting to run the ball better than most. The interesting part of the clip is that Marty mentioned how Marty Ball isn’t specifically about one area of offense. “It’s finding out what your players do best, and do that.” If it’s running the ball? Hammer it over and over again. If it’s passing the ball? Then run up the scoreboard.

Looking at the 2025 Cowboys on offense, I don’t think the game plan will revolve around running the ball 40 times on Sundays. Every team in the NFL would love to win that way because it wears anyone down, but Dallas’ special players on offense are on the outside at wide receiver and quarterback.

When Dallas made the move and traded for George Pickens to pair with CeeDee Lamb, “Schotty Ball” was shifted from the running game to maximizing the passing attack. Don’t get things twisted; Brian has spoken about the importance of being able to run the football and is confident in their current room to do just that. Not to mention the team invested in another offensive lineman in the draft’s first round.

The idea is to be multiple and keep defenders guessing. Regardless of the Cowboys’ perceived talent at running back, having Lamb and Pickens on the outside will naturally allow Dallas’ run game to open up, considering defenses must be smart about protecting the deep shots from Dak Prescott.

Brian wants his players to be fast and physical. This mindset stems from his lessons and a shared philosophy with his Dad, but Brian will bring his “Schotty Ball” style, finally getting to lead his team.

Family: “The Family Fist”

In the Football Life documentary, Pat Schottenheimer (Brian’s mom), talked about how after one of the heartbreaking playoff losses in Cleveland with the Browns, Brian received death threats where angry fans threatened to kill him just because Marty lost the game. Just horrible.

Kristen Turner (Brian’s sister) said the family leaned on one another to overcome those challenging situations, and there was more than one. In Brian’s case, everything has been on Cloud 9 this offseason, with him being one of the “winners” of the offseason by most fans. People are starting to come around on the idea that it might just work this year.

However, hard times are bound to happen. That’s the nature of life in the NFL. It would be amazing if Dallas went 18-0 in the regular season, but odds will say there will be a few losses. How will Brian and the team respond to those adverse moments?

That’s why there has been such an emphasis on culture building and energy this offseason. It’s to ensure that when those times come, they don’t separate the locker room but bring everyone together.

During Rookie Mimicamp, many of the new players spoke about how, in the first team meeting, Brian asked them to get to know someone from a different position group they had never met. Why? So that they can know their story and truly learn who they are, so that when they line up next to each other on Sundays, it’s not just the common goal of winning that drives them. It’s the competitive spirit trying to win for your teammates.

I wonder if Brian created a Cowboys family fist of their own among team captains? Maybe it’s something I can ask one of the beat reporters to bring up during Oxnard’s opening press conference.

Faith: “I’m ready now.”

Faith is hard to come by among the Cowboys fan base these days. Asking them to believe that one day, the 30-year Super Bowl drought will end is not easy. In recent history, there has been outstanding success in the regular season, but the Cowboys have disappointed relative to expectations. When the expectation is Lombardi Trophies, it doesn’t leave much margin for error.

Marty had one of the most prolific careers as an NFL head coach, but never got to raise a Super Bowl trophy. The documentary showed a clip from when Brian was the offensive coordinator with the New York Jets in 2009. He said, “I’d love more than anything to give my father my Super Bowl ring. That would mean more to me than anything, and I’d make him take it.”

The Jets beat the Chargers in San Diego to move on to the AFC Championship game. It was vindication for Brian, who called his Dad immediately after the game and said the win was for him.

In Dallas, Brian can break the curse of two families—win a Super Bowl for the Jones family and the Schottenheimers.

To me, faith and trust are two different words, even though they mean the same thing. Trust is on a more foundational level of someone buying into something. Faith is spiritual and comes with a more profound, richer belief in an idea.

Faith isn’t earned overnight. It will take time, possibly a few years, but Brian has done all the right things to give fans hope that things can finally be different. So far this offseason, a lot of trust has been built among the Cowboys fans. Their faith can be restored come September when Dallas takes on the Philadelphia Eagles for Week 1.

Our loved ones might not always be seen, but they are there.

They are there in the daily ways we live our lives.

They are there in the words and lessons we speak to others.

They are there in the legacy we carry to honor the life we shared.

In his opening press conference, Brian mentioned he was ready now for his opportunity with Dallas. Marty is a big reason why now is the right time and Dallas is the right team. Brian talked about how his Dad was a legendary coach, a great man, and an incredible father. If he were there that day, he would have told his son, “Brian, the easy part is over. It’s time to get to work.”

That work will be built on three core principles: Faith, Family, and Football.

*disclaimer* Bortek is unfortunately the nickname that was bestowed upon me by my family. Please don’t ask me why. Think of it as my pen name. Yeah let’s go with that.

The NFL Draft is finally here. For some fanbases (Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants) the draft process has felt like an eternity considering the fans have been thinking about ‘what next?’ since October.

For other fans, (Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Detriot Lions) fans have been thinking about what new prospects their team’s will draft to finally get over their playoff trauma and looking forward to having them contribute this season.

Mock Drafts are always fun because depending on who puts it out, it can carry a lot of weight with how the rest of the league thinks and where the first round of the draft specifically can go.

I promise you—please don’t take what I saw below as gosspil. This mock draft, my mock draft, my baby, is going to be strictly off “vibes."

Not about film, not about proper rankings, but what would bring the most fun to the draft on night one (with a little write up about how the player fits too).

You have seen the same names over and over again to the same teams. That will not be the case here.

In the immortal words of Michael Keaton in Batman (1989), “You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts.”

To the Mock Draft!

1. TEN - Travis Hunter, WR/CB

Are we being serious? Being first overall in any NFL draft means that player should be the No. 1, no doubt about it next star/face of the league. I understand team’s picking that high usually need a quarterback but gosh dangit, Travis Hunter is the best player in this draft and deserves to go first.

I look at it this way. If a player like Hunter were around during the 1936 NFL Draft (when the first official draft took place) he would have been taken first overall then! He’s that special of a player and deserves to be treated with the highest NFL honor before he lands on a professional field—being No. 1.

2. CLE - Cam Ward, QB

I guess you can say Cam Ward is the consensus pick to go to Tennessee (eye roll), but having him land with Cleveland would be a great thing not only for the team, but the entire fanbase.

The dark days of Deshaun Watson are almost over. The sun is starting to break through the clouds and Ward will help stabalize the position that has alluded the Cleveland faithful for generations. Now because he’s being drafted by the Browns, I’m sure by osmosis his career won’t pan out to be great, but hey—someone has to break the mold.

3. NYG - Shedeur Sanders, QB

Deion Sanders’ sons are going to be in the draft. Have we forgotten that? This is Prime Time in Prime Time. If Sanders were just a little bit taller, had a little bit better film on the field, he would be landing in New York and would already be up there with Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Jalen Brunson as the Mount Rushmore of current athletes of the city.

Need and fit align perfectly here and the Giants could use a facelift at the quarterback position with a player who could be more electric than the usual suspects who could be confused as tax advisors off the field.

Also the quarterback room of Sanders, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito……HBO would have Hard Knocks be just about Giants QBs this offseason.

4. NE - Ashton Jeanty, RB

Mike Vrabel knows how important a running back is to the success of playing smash-mouth football after spending time in Tennessee with Derrick Henry. Ashton Jeanty would be his next All-Star (see what I did there?)

If New England had their house in order along the offensive line, Jeanty would be able to raise the floor of Drake Maye and take an enormous amount of pressure off his shoulders in Year 2. Plus, Jeanty is a no nonsense guy that can play in the artic like conditions of New England.

Imagine the photos that came from the LeSean McCoy snow game, but with Jeanty at RB for the Patriots and Mike Vrabel looking on in the background with a nose as red as roudolph like a proud papa. That’s the world I would like to be living in come November-December.

5. JAX - Tyler Warren, TE

I mean, Tyler Warren said he wanted to wear No. 44 because his Dad showed him highlights of John Riggins. Automaticlly in my Top 5 everytime.

Not to mention he would be bringing a much needed sex-appeal to Jacksonville that was lost when Gardner Minshew was ripped from the heart of the Jaguars.

6. LV - Abdul Carter, DE

CAN WE FINALLY GET MAXX CROSBY A RUNNING MATE???

Abdul Carter should not go this late, but this is one hell of a fit. Get ready for the law firm of Carter and Crosby attacking the AFC West quarterbacks on an annual basis. Crosby has been begging for someone capable playing across from him. Carter also oozes being a Raider.

Talk about being the “No Fun League” for the rest of the NFL. Sorry.

7. NYJ - Jihaad Campbell, LB

Aaron Glenn is looking for a no nonsense leader to captain his defense and there is no better player in the draft to do it than Jihaad Campbell. With CJ Mosley not being brought back, the Jets could use a leader in the middle that commands respect.

He could be used in a variety of ways and would help usher in Glenn’s era in New York with a statement. Campbell has the potential to be the icon at linebacker that Ray Lewis was for Baltimore for so many years.

8. CAR - Will Campbell, OL

You will see this theme a lot throughout this mock draft. Some teams don’t deserve to get the flashy, sexy pick because they need to be put in timeout for not eating their vegetables.

Carolina jumped the gun and just had to trade up for Bryce Young WAY before they constructed their offensive line. So they receive a penalty and aren’t allowed to do anything fun. They will sit at the table, draft Will Campbell, and hopefully learn a lesson from it.

In all honesty, Campbell going to the Panthers would be great for Young’s development due to how cerebral he is as a player.

9. NO - Mike Green, DE

Cameron Jordan is not getting any younger and even though New Orleans signed Chase Young to a big extension this offseason, I don’t trust he will be productive for the long-term.

Enter in Mike Green. One of the most productive edge rushers in college football from a year ago. The Saints have a lot going on and need a major rebuild in the worst way. Green will give the defense youth on it’s side, something they haven’t had for what feels like almost a decade.

10. CHI - Mason Graham, DT

Outside of the top running back landing in Chicago to give fans flashbacks of Walter Payton, the most Bears pick would be a nasty defensive tackle in the heart of it’s defense.

Mason Graham is a bad dude that will keep the attitude going for Chicago’s defense. They could go offense here, but that’s what Ben Johnson, offense extraordinaire, was brought in to elevate.

11. SF - Shemar Stewart, DE

The San Francisco 49ers tried drafting the super-traits defensive end years ago in Aldon Smith and it looked like it would work.

Shemar Stewart is the next phase of that vision with Robert Saleh looking with a bright smile almost as bright as his head on Sunday’s.

12. DAL - Tetairoa McMillan, WR

Bobby Belt and Shan Shariff from 105.3 The Fan talked about this on Tuesday. I don’t remember the last time there was this much consensus among fans for who they wanted the Cowboys to pick in the first round.

Not only do I have an obligation to give fans what they want, I also feel like this is a very likely scenario barring McMillan is on the board for Dallas when they pick at 12. If he is, it’s a home run. If not, well then I just lied to about 3,000 people.

13. MIA - Jahdae Barron, CB

The Miami Dolphins are rumored to be shipping Jalen Ramsey out of town, so why not replace him with who in my opinion is the best cornerback in the draft (not counting Travis Hunter).

14. IND - Colston Loveland, TE

It feels like the Colts have been looking for an elite tight end ever since the days of Coby Fleener. Yeah I said it.

In all seriousness, I think Indianapolis would be a great landing spot for Loveland. Head Coach Shane Steichen would be able to use Loveland in a variety of ways on offense that would give fantasy football managers a reason to draft more than one tight end in the first round again.

Not to mention Anthony Richardson needs all the help he can get.

15. ATL - Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE

CAN WE FINALLY GET THE ATLANTA FALCONS A PASS RUSHER???

I feel like the Falcons have been throwing more darts at defensive end in ten years than you’ll find at an English Pub in London over the course of six hours. Are darts really that popular there? My love for Ted Lasso might be clouding my judgement.

One of the most productive pass rushers in college a season ago finally gives Atlanta the edge player who was promised.

16. ARI - Walter Nolan, DT

Head Coach Jonathan Gannon comes from the Howie Roseman line of team building in starting with the trenches. Getting his version of a Jalen Carter-type at 16th overall would be a steal and provide pass rush up the middle for Gannon’s evolving defense.

Also, if Nolan has any character concerns to work out, there’s no better person to learn from than Calais Campbell who signed with the team this offseason for his retirement tour. A passing of the torch moment happening over the course of 17 games.

17. CIN - Kelvin Banks Jr., OL

Eat your vegetables Cincinnati Bengals. You just invested $124 million annually in Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Now go protect the quarterback that’s supposed to keep things moving.

Orlando Brown, Amarius Mims, and Kelvin Banks Jr. might make up the biggest offensive line in the NFL. All-Off-The-Bus Team for sure.

18. SEA - Emeka Egbuka, WR

Drafting NFL players shouldn’t be that complicated. Jaxon Smith-Njigba needs a running mate after Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf exited the Pacific Northwest.

How about just draft his running mate from college and don’t think twice. Also, Sam Darnold had success with the Minnesota Vikings in large part to having Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

19. TAM - Will Johnson, CB

I don’t know why, but Will Johnson going to Tampa Bay feels like a Todd Bowles pick to me. HOWEVER, I’m sure Buccaneers fans hope Bowles drafting a defensive back in the first round doesn’t pan out like his drafting of Jamal Adams with the New York Jets.

20. DEN - Omarion Hampton, RB

Sean Payton would love to draft Ashton Jeanty, but he won too many games to do that—that simple.

So he gets the second best running back in the draft and the Denver Broncos are all the better for it. I think there’s a real shot they can make a deep playoff run in the AFC this year, potentially winning the AFC West (insert eyes emoji).

21. PIT - Jalen Milroe, QB

Arthur Smith never wanted to play Russell Wilson over Justin Fields last year. I’m sure he’s been watching film of Jalen Milroe at night dreaming of what could be with a quarterback who has that much talent as a runner.

The Pittsburgh Steelers draft Milroe and sign Aaron Rodgers to be their Day 1 starter with Milroe waiting in the wings.

22. LAC - Kenneth Grant, DT

John Harbaugh once called Kenneth Grant “a gift from the football Gods.” Do you want to be the one that passes on someone who can go toe to toe with Hercules?

I don’t think so. Harbaugh gets another one of his former Wolverines and the draft content to come from this pick will reach millions upon millions of views.

23. GB - Matthew Golden, WR

CAN WE FINALLY HAVE GREEN BAY DRAFT A WIDE RECEIVER IN THE FIRST ROUND?

The last time the Green Bay Packers selected a wide receiver in the first-round was in 2002 with Javon Walker. For context, I WAS IN SECOND GRADE. Matthew Golden is the pick here (which is a great pick), but put any wide receiver in the first round and you’ll get excitment.

Can you imagine the roar that will come from the fans if Green Bay makes this pick, breaking the curse as the host city for the NFL draft? There may be small seismic activity felt in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

24. MIN - Malaki Starks, S

The Minnesota Vikings tried drafting a safety from Georgia in the first round of the 2022 draft, but it didn’t pan out. Malaki Starks brings a dominant presence to the back end of Brian Flores’ defense that lost starters this offseason.

Starks will be the heir to the throne when Harrison Smith decides to hang ‘em up.

25. HOU - Armand Membou, OT

The Houston Texans will not be getting dessert for the next two seasons. They will be eating vegetables after vegetables until they can prove they are serious about protecting their franchise quarterback in CJ Stroud.

Armand Membou has ZERO shot dropping this far, but talk about the sigh of relief that would come from Houston after the team decided to turnover their entire offensive line overnight, with no serious backup plan. Membou is a start.

26. LAR - Josh Simmons, OT

The Los Angeles Rams are playing with house money. I have to say, if I were not a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and I was a young kid again, looking to marry myself to an NFL franchise, it would be hard to pass up on Sean McVay and the Rams.

They just seem like a ton of fun. Not only do they win games, but they build their team the right way. After being an “F-them Picks” team, Les Snead has turned their operation into one of the best at drafting players.

Rob Havenstein isn’t getting any older and so Josh Simmons, who some may consider the best tackle in the draft, would be next in line or compete with Alaric Jackson at left tackle in 2025. Either way, Los Angeles is sitting pretty.

27. BAL - James Pierce Jr., DE

From what I’ve heard form analysts I trust across the league is that James Pierce Jr. has some character questions. The guy is as talented as they come, but those concerns could scare off some teams.

Not the Baltimore Ravens. They don’t mind taking players like Pierce and developing them into Pro Bowl level players.

28. DET - Grey Zabel, Ass Kicker

A hypothetical conversation on draft day in the Detroit Lions War Room:

Dan Campbell: “Alright, who do we have at offensive line. Let’s start in reverse alphabetical order.”

Scout: “Well there’s an offensive lineman from North Dakota State named Grey Zabel.”

Dan Campbell: *dials phone to Roger Goodell* “We’re going to take Grey Zabel.”

It was either Zabel or Cam Skattebo at this spot. I’d be happy either way. Detroit should be too.

29. WAS - Jalon Walker, DE/LB

Hmmm, Dan Quinn drafting a hybrid linebacker turned defensive end and having success. Where have I seen that before?

Jalon Walker turns into Quinn’s Bizzaro to Micah Parsons’ Superman. Quinn would actually cast as a great Lex Luther in his golden years.

30. BUF - Trey Amos, CB

The Buffalo Bills need cornerback help in the worst way. This pick isn’t as fun as the rest but Trey Amos is one hell of a player. Plus he’s already looked good in Blue and Red so the transition to Buffalo is natural.

Amos will also have a mentor in Tre'Davious White.

31. KC - Omar Norman-Lott, DT

Chris Jones doesn’t have many years left. Omar Norman-Lott has been one of the most fun defensive tackles to watch in this loaded class.

There are a few other DTs I could have gone with here, but Norman-Lott looked like a Chief to me and could develop behind Jones before he’s ready to take over for him in the future. A lot of upside.

32. PHI - Josh Conerly Jr.,

I wonder what the over-under is for the amount of ‘Jr’s’ going in the first round is? I’m sure some poor soul who’s been in the same sports book in Las Vegas or Atlantic City since last night will be able to tell you.

After winning the Super Bowl and maintaining a stacked roster, the Philadelphia Eagles could go anywhere with this pick. They could trade up for a player they love, but taking Josh Conerly Jr. in this spot would give them Lane Johnson’s replacement for when he retires. Conerly is also an uber-athletic player so that sounds like the right company man for Jeff Stoutland Industries.

It’s a luxury pick for Philly and I hate it, but game has to respect game.

No negotiation is ever the same. On the surface, the discussions with Prescott’s team and the Cowboys have sometimes been lengthy and complex. When deals materialize in sports, it often takes time for stories to surface about what transpired among the front office, the player, and their representatives. For the first time, we hear the agent’s perspective regarding the contract negotiations between the Cowboys and Athletes First, the agency representing Prescott.

On episode ten of the Athletes First Family Podcast, CEO Brian Murphy, VP of Client Strategy AJ Stevens, and Prescott’s agent Todd France talk about the timeline of every negotiation, how they continued to bet on each other, and what finally led to the record-setting deal in 2024.

*I do not own the rights to any of the clips you see. They are being used for content purposes only.*

Betting on themselves in 2019 and 2020

At the beginning of the 2019 season, Prescott was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Cowboys. At that time, the third-year quarterback was coming off his second playoff run and first postseason victory. He had two Pro Bowls on his resume and was named 2016 Rookie of the Year.

The timing made sense for Jerry and Stephen Jones to consider the team's long-term future and potential commitment to Prescott with the negotiation window open after completing the third season of his rookie deal. The front office and Athletes First discussed a contract extension around training camp, and the Jones Family was willing to offer Prescott a five-year deal with $100 million guaranteed.

It is a considerable amount of money for a player drafted in the fourth round who will only make just over $2 million in his final year.

However, France was thinking long-term, considering Prescott’s trajectory as an NFL quarterback, the market at the position, and being the face of America’s Team. He knew a four-year deal was necessary for his client and his future. It would ensure Prescott had another bite at the apple to make substantial earnings in his prime.

Todd France : “It’s not what we wanted. I mean, you obviously want to get a deal done, but you want to get THE right deal done, not any deal done. While you are walking away from $100 [million], you could also look at it by that the extra year, you’re also walking away from $100 [million] or giving up $200 [million].” (12:49)

When a deal couldn’t be reached, Prescott entered Week 1 with the understanding he would be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year in 2020.

Prescott played well in 2019 despite Dallas not making the playoffs and going 8-8. He threw for a then career-high 30 touchdowns and was just 98 yards shy of a 5,000-yard passing season. The franchise decided to course correct. Jason Garrett was no longer the head coach; the team hired Mike McCarthy, and he was excited to work with Prescott as his quarterback.

The Cowboys' front office is well-acquainted with using the franchise tag to retain a player’s rights and extend the negotiating window for a new deal. In 2018 and 2019, they used it to keep DeMarcus Lawrence in Dallas before agreeing to a contract extension. In 2020, they applied it to their quarterback before he hit free agency, hoping to iron out a contract. Prescott would be guaranteed to make over $31 million on the tag for the season, regardless of a new deal.

During the 2020 negotiation period, AJ Stevens started working at Athletes First and tried to help France work out a deal between Prescott and the Cowboys before the franchise tag deadline in July. Again, the sticking point in the conversations came down to the number of years on the contract, with Dallas wanting five and Prescott’s camp wanting four.

AJ Stevens: “As we explained in previous episodes, the four-year term is of the utmost importance to us and quarterbacks because of the way that the market grows and the salary cap grows and the desire to get back to the market for these guys and maximize their career earnings...the offer was up across the board in all aspects, except for it was still a five-year deal.” (14:57)

The Cowboys front office and France could not agree on a deal before the deadline to sign the franchise tag approached, and Prescott would play the 2020 season on the tag. Walking away from the $100 million guaranteed was an easier pill for the star quarterback to swallow, considering the money that would be coming his way.

AJ Stevens: “It’s a little bit different of a decision because Dak's final year of his rookie contract: $2 million. So it’s $2 [million] or $100 [million], and then it’s $31 [million] or $100 [million]. Then I remember one of the conversations with Dak was, ‘I walked away from a hundred to play for two, now I’m gonna walk away from a hundred to play for for thirty-one, like this one actually is a little bit easier to decide on.’” (15:35)

France talked about how he, his team, and Prescott walked through every scenario with what was on the table and even risked losing money depending on how the 2020 season turned out. Prescott, like in 2019, chose to bet on himself.

Unfortunately, the worst possible scenario occurred. A few weeks into the season, Prescott sustained a severe ankle injury against the New York Giants. The injury caused him to miss the entire season and should have set plans for Prescott's near-top-of-the-market extension into flames.

What now? Prescott would be a free agent two years in a row, but this time, it was different—he would be recovering from a severe ankle injury with others on the outside questioning his NFL future.

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Prescott’s first veteran contract in 2021

Despite the severity of Prescott’s injury, the disaster that was the 2020 season could have played a role in the Cowboys’ willingness to commit to him long-term. It showed the Joneses what life would be like without Prescott as their franchise quarterback.

Mike McCarthy was entering his second season as head coach and was brought to Dallas to put the team over the hump as Super Bowl contenders. It’s tough to do that without a capable quarterback.

At the beginning of 2021, the Cowboys’ front office felt comfortable enough with Prescott’s rehabilitation to resume contract discussions, ensuring their quarterback of the future would continue to wear No. 4.

Here is how those negotiations went.

As mentioned in the clip, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk labeled the deal the best contract for an NFL player of all time. One-half is the money that went right into Prescott’s piggy bank at signing, along with the player-friendly leverage created by the deal. The other half (*and here is where the art of negotiation comes to life*) is how Prescott’s agents made the Cowboys front office pay for drawing out negotiations with their client to the last minute.

France and his team wanted not only a no-trade and no-tag clause in the contract but also made them use the tag on Prescott before the deadline passed, making sure he would forever be a player who was issued the franchise tag twice.

That means the new team's hands would be tied if Prescott ever signed as a free agent with another team and encountered contract disputes similar to Dallas. The new team would almost be forced into offering a contract extension or letting him walk, as a third use of the franchise tag on a single player would severely impact any team’s salary cap.

That's pretty brilliant thinking from France and Athletes First.

There is also another thread to the story behind this deal. Once France called Prescott to let him know the numbers had been agreed to, he told his client to hang tight because they were negotiating language in the deal that could have voided his guaranteed money if the NFL had fined him.

Well….

It’s a good thing Prescott trusted the advice of his agent. At the end of the Cowboys loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, people were throwing things at referees as they walked off the field as their actions directly impacted the final play of the game.

Prescott then spoke at the podium, saying it was “sad” that fans would throw garbage at players walking off the field. Someone from the media corrected him that it was actually towards the referees, and he said, “Credit to them then. Credit to them.” The quarterback apologized right away, saying he “deeply regretted the comments,” but the NFL took action and issued a fine of $25,000 for his comments. That moment could have potentially voided his guaranteed money had France and his team not gone through the deal with a fine-toothed comb and changed the language of the deal.

At face value, the 2021 extension with Prescott averaged $40 million annually; however, as France mentions, it was a $42 million per year deal over the first three seasons. Since the Cowboys could not tag him after that fourth year, it would be wise for Dallas to discuss a new deal with Prescott and his camp after the 2023 season, potentially allowing him to earn more money a year early.

This is exactly how France wanted to play it—making sure this deal was just the opening act for the big headliner down the line, which would either come from the Cowboys or a bidding war for Prescot in free agency.

All roads lead to the highest-paid QB in NFL history

So if Prescott could get a near top-of-the-market deal coming off injury in 2021, what would his market be after the 2023 season, in which he finished second in MVP voting and had his best season as a pro? Prescott’s agency knew there was significant money to be made before the 2024 season—their plan all along.

This time, the rose-colored glasses were off. Prescott wasn’t a rookie negotiator anymore. He is well-acclimated to how the Cowboys do business with extensions. It usually takes time in Dallas and is never on the same timeline as when a player hopes to finish it.

Lucky for Prescott, the front office’s usual strategy was his financial gain. In the 2024 offseason, Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Love received new deals, resetting the market. Prescott could SURELY make more if quarterbacks of their tier made around $55 million annually. The Cowboys’ passer was better in almost every statistical category than the three quarterbacks mentioned.

The advantage of having one agency, Athletes First, represent several top-tier players is that during the negotiations between Love and Tagovailoa, Prescott was kept informed about the potential status of his market once those deals were finalized.

If Dallas had been proactive, it could have been the opposite. Maybe Athletes First would have visited other quarterback camps to discuss how the Prescott negotiations would affect their deals, but like always, the Cowboys prolonged the situation.

Todd France: “They [the front office] started very late when they came back to us. They could have done it all offseason. When Dak’s getting ready for camp and getting into camp, the switch flips. He does not want to be involved in or having conversations about the contract...he didn’t even want to be updated unless there was something worthy to be talked about. Now I still did and he still heard it, but they were shorter conversations. They weren’t near as in depth as the first go around because he was in training camp. That’s where he wanted to be and that’s where that’s mindset was. He [Prescott] was willing to bet on himself. He’s like, ‘That’s fine. If they don’t want to do a contract, I’ll be a free agent. Of course the Cowboys were banking on the Star on the helmet and that no matter what he’s gonna come back. It wasn’t gonna work out that way had a deal not worked out, I really believe that.” (38:03)

Being the Cowboys quarterback is unlike any position in the NFL. While it may attract a great deal of unwarranted criticism, it also opens numerous doors for marketing and partnership opportunities, allowing one to be the face of a brand and earn more off the field. The Jones’ use of this negotiation tactic is smart, but it cannot be the only card up their sleeve. It’s weathered, wrinkled, and has faded into more of a joker at this point than an ace.

If the front office hoped that would serve as the tipping point in their favor, it sounded like the entire Prescott contingent felt comfortable entering a likely bidding war with 31 other teams, with Dallas sitting on their hands, unable to prevent it from happening.

So, if Jerry and Stephen Jones want to wait, when is the last chance to make a deal?

For the most part, Prescott did not make any demands during this negotiation and let his team handle everything. However, he did want a firm deadline of Week 1, and no discussions of a new deal would occur after that.

AJ Stevens: “I guess this is the one thing Dak did come in on is either the deal was done, or he was stepping on the field for Week 1 of the season, and I’m playing the season out. I’m not gonna have this back and forth during the year. I don’t wanna be on the bye week thinking about my contract when I need to be thinking about what is the next team we’re gonna play. How are we going to keep this thing rolling and get to the Super Bowl…

…We get the last four or five days before the first game of the season and they’re [the team] in game prep. They’re getting ready for Week 1 against the Browns and we’re still to a point, I think it was Thursday, we get a proposal from the Cowboys and I go through it quickly and Todd just looks at me and just goes, ‘We’re not gonna get a contract done.’

We’re just gonna have to tell Dak play this out and we’re gonna be great in free agency. This is gonna be unheard of, like this gonna be a lot of fun probably when we get to free agency, but it’s also on the otherside of it you’re sitting there saying it’s $160 or $180 million of guarenteed money that was on the table at the time. We’re still sitting there still saying it’s not enough, it’s not what it needs to be, it’s not what Dak deserves given everything he’s had to do and everything that we’re forcasting in the market.” (41:00)

Maybe the Cowboys thought if they waited long enough until Prescott’s imposed deadline struck 11:59, he would accept whatever deal was on the table to move forward because he might not wanted the distraction hanging over the team all season. But France and his team knew they had the Cowboys over a barrel. It’s like they hand-crafted a white flag for them and presented it to the front office, knowing eventually they would have to wave it.

The market for Prescott would have been out of this world in the hypothetical scenario he reached free agency this offseason:

• He is a player in his prime for his position at 31 years of age

• Two seasons removed from an MVP-level performance in 2023

• An outstanding player for the locker room and community as a Walter Payton Man of the Year winner.

His accolades would have been enough alone to spark a bidding war, but add that to the free agent quarterbacks available this cycle (Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson) and the lackluster draft class (Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders), Prescott could have made way more than $60 million a year. The Cowboys could not afford to compete in an open market for their quarterback.

France talked about how, yes, one goal of Prescott’s was to remain a member of the Cowboys organization, but if the front office was not going “to participate in a fair business proposal,” then Prescott understood the reality of him not being in Dallas if it came to that.

Thankfully, no one has to live in that reality, and Cowboys fans were saved from the absurd amount of content that would have been on sports networks this offseason discussing that narrative.

Hours before kickoff, Prescott and Dallas agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract extension with $231 guaranteed and an average of $60 million a year, surpassing everyone else in NFL history as the highest-paid player.

France talked about how his initial FaceTime with Prescott was of few words and that both men were overcome with emotion and relief that this was finally behind them and a deal was made.

I don’t know if anyone has let the higher-ups in the organization know, but contracts don’t have to be done this way. It is possible to have a proactive approach and get things done early so there is no market resetting, and the team can be players in free agency.

Stephen Jones spoke to the media at the NFL’s league meetings this week and said they put “zero credibility or credence into people saying we wait too long” to get deals done with their players. Well, the truth is they do. If Prescott imposed a hard deadline of Week 1, getting an agreement ironed out minutes before the player leaves the hotel to get on the bus to the stadium is considered, in most parts of the world, waiting too long.

What did we learn?

Who knows if France and Athletes First would have accepted offers from the Cowboys earlier in the negotiation process for all deals, even at a lower price, as long as they agreed to the four years they wanted.

At the end of every episode of the Athletes First Family Podcast, CEO Brian Murphy asks, “What did we learn?” I would answer that question by saying Todd France is one of the more hardened and creative negotiators in Sports Business, and you can see why he’s negotiated top-of-the-market deals for almost every position in football.

The second lesson learned is that the Cowboys need to examine their negotiating style and see if it’s costing them in the long run. They need to decide whether to pay Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, Tyler Smith, Brandon Aubrey, and Jake Ferguson as the franchise's next cornerstone players.

At least two of them could command top-of-the-market deals at their position (Smith and Aubrey), and Parsons will no doubt become the highest non-quarterback player in NFL history. “Deadlines create deals” should be a line in Dallas that takes on the first word of its phrase—be dead and buried.

(To watch Episode 10 of The Athletes First Family Podcast, click here.)

After taking the 2023 regular season to figure out the direction of Press Coverage, I’ve come to this conclusion—get ready for it to melt your faces off*

*(not literally, as I would like to keep my apartment and not be taken to court for such side effects this substack may cause.)*

Now that little note is taken care of, there’s no better way to reintroduce Press Coverage than being unique in releasing a Mock Draft…

Okay, it’s not original, BUT what about putting a unique twist on something that can sour on people quicker than spoiled milk? As everyone knows, the great Peter King has decided to hang up his handy dandy notebook and retire from sports journalism. King would always end his Football Morning In America columns with a Haiku. Some weeks, I would read his articles backward to read the poem first.

So, as someone who’s been influenced by “The King” and his work, it’s only fitting this once-a-year mock draft pays homage to the real G.O.A.T. Without further ado, here’s Press Coverage’s Annual First Round Mock Draft with a Peter King Twist (TM pending).

No trades. No explanation of the selections. Just haikus. Enjoy:

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1. CHI - Caleb Williams, QB

The dark cloud is gone.

And the savoir has arrived.

Please don’t mess this up.

2. WAS - Jayden Daniels, QB

Commander in Chief.

In need of a bulking plan.

The next Joe Burrow?

3. NE - Drake Maye, QB

Baby Josh Allen.

Who needs to sit for a year.

When ready; watch out.

4. ARI - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

Harrison Jr.

Honors the family name.

Ossenfort for Prez.

5. LAC - Malik Nabers, WR

Mister Rodgers said,

“Oh won’t you be my Naber?”

Herbert’s new best friend.

6. NYG - Rome Odunze, WR

Contrary to some.

Men think about Rome often.

Mainly Coach Daboll.

7. TEN - Joe Alt, OT

A super short name.

Ideal for the beat writers.

And for Will Levis.

8. ATL - Byron Murphy II, DT

Unblockable beast.

Carr, Mayfield & Young—Look out.

This one’s gonna hurt.

9. CHI - Jared Verse, ED

A complete defense.

Eberflus is Eber-Juiced.

Wild Card hopefuls.

10. NYJ - Troy Fautanu, OL

Plug-and-play player.

Who can learn from Tyron Smith.

And can save some jobs.

11. MIN- J.J McCarthy, QB

His name is ‘Ice Man.’

Have others found this thread yet?

Skol chants echo loud.

12. DEN - Bo Nix, QB

Payton has his guy.

To play above Sea level.

Hope he doesn’t sink.

13. LV - Michael Penix, QB

The Raiders fell hard.

Hoping the gamble pays off.

And not lose it all.

14. NO - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT

The beat reporters.

Hope he has a good nickname.

Or it’s copy-paste.

15. IND - Brock Bowers, TE

Brock Bowser is here.

Yes, his nickname is Bowser.

Scrub the combine pic.

16. SEA - Cooper DeJean, DB

A swiss army knife.

Macdonald’s farm gets bigger.

Please bring back the hoop.

17. JAX - Quinyon Mitchell, CB

Everyone’s asking:

What happend to Jacksonville?.

Mitchell is Step One.

18. CIN- JC Latham, OT

Good news for Burrow.

He’s Superman at tackle.

Just turned 21.

19. LAR - Laiatu Latu, ED

Batman on the edge.

With all the tools in his belt.

To replace Donald.

20. PIT - Taliese Fuaga, OL

Nasty SOB.

Especially on the run.

A Pittsburgh player.

21. MIA - Dallas Turner, ED

A young Bradley Chubb.

Fills a need for Miami.

Dallas turns the tide.

22. PHI- Terrion Arnold, CB

The Eagles did it.

They picked a first round corner.

Howie keeps cooking.

23. MIN - Mike Sainristill, CB

Converted wideout.

The draft’s best nickle corner.

High character guy.

24. DAL- Graham Barton, iOL

Flexability.

Could be at center or guard.

Dallas is all in.

25. GB - Amarius Mims, OT

Has all the talent.

With just eight starts in college.

Still needs time to grow.

26. TB - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

Has the koolest name.

Day one starter for Saban.

That should speak volumes.

27. ARI - Jackson Powers-Johnson, iOL

Parting the Red Sea.

Should be on ‘Bully Beatdown’.

Is that show still on?

28. BUF - Brian Thomas Jr., WR

Replacement for Diggs.

Josh Allen deep shots for days.

This can’t be “enough.”

29. DET- Darius Robinson, ED

Home town kid comes home.

Campbell will love his toughness.

Could be team captain.

30. BAL - Tyler Guyton, OT

He’s raw as sushi.

But the upside is All-Pro.

The Ravens draft well.

31. SF - Zach Fraizer, C

4-time wrestle champ.

A 4.5 GPA.

All before college.

32. KC - Adonai Mitchell, WR

If Mitchell takes off?

The NFL should be scared.

Three-peat incoming.

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At the opening of each newsletter, there will be a little banter that could be from an encounter I had from the previous week or of a prior memory that stands out, connecting the upcoming week in the NFL.

When the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday Night Football, it will be the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy that hit the country on September 11, 2001.

The deaths of 2,977 victims will be remembered, and the lives of countless others who were affected and are still dealing with the loss and medical issues caused by that day.

My brothers and I had just turned five a few weeks earlier, and on that warm September day, we were playing Army with our friend Keith in the backyard.

Once news of the tragedy hit our home, we were quickly called inside, trying to understand what was happening. I remember the phone call between my Mom and Dad as we sat there stunned at the television, asking many questions, not understanding the severity of what happened.

My Dad was a police officer for Long Hill Township in New Jersey. With his department so close to the city, my family didn’t know if he would be called in to help on that day or with the clean-up afterward.

Even though there was a great deal of loss that day, I’ve learned as Americans, we are not down for long. We get back up and move forward while honoring those who were lost.

So, as the Jets and Bills take the field for their season opener, I ask you just hold your loved ones a little tighter or call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years. Every day is another chance to make the most of our opportunity and do something special.

Welcome to Week 1 of the NFL season. We are now on the precipice of having football return to our lives between now and the chilly months of January and February.

Even after the Detroit Lions’ shocking victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, that won’t sway where I think both teams end up by season’s end.

It’s time to rank where the league stands from first to worst, and by God, some teams don’t look good before they even take a snap.

In my humble opinion, there is a clear team that is No. 1 and No. 32. The rest we’ll have to sort through together.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

There’s no reason to pick any team other than the Chiefs in this spot.

Even though things looked out of sorts on Thursday night, Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback of his generation and is on a trajectory to be the greatest of all time. I am not looking to be “against the grain” with the No. 1 spot.

However, if they start the season with a few more rocky starts, it could cost them

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Even though it’s the Eagles, they have done nothing since the Super Bowl loss to waver my belief they have one of the best young rosters in the NFL. Given the two new faces calling the offense and defense, it’ll be interesting to see where the season starts.

If the team starts slow, look for the Philadelphia radio stations to be flooded with calls about the coordinators.

If they pick up where they left off, Jalen Hurts will be on the fast track to MVP.

3. Buffalo Bills

The hourglass is starting to run out for the Bills. To no fault of their own, it’s been heartbreak after heartbreak to end their run in the playoffs.

While the offense can still dominate with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, consider the defense a top-five unit. Somehow, they have kept their defense together for five years.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow is healthy, and Ja’Marr Chase is healthy.

Both players came out of the gates lightning quick in the season opener in 2021 and took that all the way to the Super Bowl. It will be a rumble in the jungle if they can recapture that magic.

However, when you look at their defense from a season ago, they did lose Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency, so that could be tough to replace with a second-year player in Daxton Hill.

5. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers got their Defensive Player of the Year back just in time for the season opener. Nick Bosa is as good as it gets, and having him against the Pittsburgh Steelers sways my opinion of where they start the season.

The biggest question they must answer is what year two looks like for Mr. Irrelevant quarterback Brock Purdy. After suffering a UCL injury, the second-year signal caller beat out two former first-round talents to keep the starting job in camp.

This team will go as far as Purdy takes them, and fans are hopeful it’s to another NFC Championship game, their fourth in five years.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Oh, America’s Team. Yes, that’s right, they are still the team America loves to root for and root against. On paper, this team could rival the talent of the 2007 team and even some of the 90s.

Led by quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive end Micah Parsons, 2023 looks like the Cowboys’ best shot at winning another ring. But can they finally get over the playoff hump to an NFC Championship? It’ll be a while before we need to answer that question.

7. New York Jets

After a long offseason of hope and a New York City spotlight for Aaron Rodgers, can the King of the Jungle deliver on his promise for a Lombardi run?

The Jets have a case for the most talented roster in the NFL, especially on defense. Their squad has the reigning Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year winners and a mix of veteran leadership that can guide their youth.

Can it all come together in just one offseason? I don’t know; Tom Brady and the Bucs did it—why not the Jets?

8. Miami Dolphins

There’s been buzz surrounding Miami sports for months now. With expectations as high as it’s been for the Dolphins, can they make more waves than Miami FC did by signing Lionel Messi?

Probably not—BUT they certainly can try with more 80-yard touchdown bombs to the fastest wide receivers in the league, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Much like the 49ers, the Dolphins need help from the quarterback to stay healthy and efficient. If Tua Tagovailoa can do that, he could gain some serious consideration in MVP voting.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

Given the disaster that was the 2021 season for the Jaguars under Urban Meyer, they performed WAYYY above my expectations.

It was an up-and-down start for Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson, but by the end of the year, the team found its swagger and looked like a top-three team. After their historic playoff comeback, where do things begin in Jacksonville?

Their offense will have to do some heavy lifting, but anything is possible with Sunshine as their quarterback.

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert and Kellen Moore reportedly have a great connection. Chargers fans have asked for explosive plays from their offense, given the talent at quarterback. Moore is the perfect OC for the job.

While he was the offensive coordinator of the Cowboys, he got the absolute best out of Dak Prescott and turned the team into one of the top-scoring offenses for multiple years.

This wasn’t just a hire to be a flash in the pan after one year. No, Moore and Herbert could create sustained Magic that rivals Disney for many more seasons.

11. Seattle Seahawks

The one team that could surprise us all and be near the top by the end of the season is the Seattle Seahawks.

When they were supposed to be in a transition year after trading away Russell Wilson, they became a Wild Card team with promise. Almost all of their draft picks hit to be day-one contributors and even had a few unsung heroes, like Mike Jackson, step up.

Geno Smith might have the best trio of wideouts in the NFL, and it’s time to let Geno cook.

12. Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is the centerpiece of a new offense under Todd Monken. Jackson would love to throw for 5,000 yards in this offense, but his running ability will be his most dangerous weapon.

While the offense looks great, adding new faces like Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the defense looks a little suspect. The Ravens always find a way to build a solid defense, but is it all smoke and mirrors right now? We’ll see.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Like the Seahawks, the Steelers will be in the top ten conversation after Week 2. They have a tough matchup at home with the 49ers to start the year, but it could be a fun year after that.

Kenny Pickett was the best quarterback of the preseason, so can he continue that when it counts? I think so. He has George Pickens and Diontae Johnson to throw to and a revamped offensive line to work behind.

Mike Tomlin needs more appreciation regarding the head coaches who define this generation. The man has never had a losing season.

14. Detroit Lions

I love what I saw from the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, but I need to see more to become a complete believer.

Don’t get me wrong; I think they have a lot of heart and energy that stems from their head coach Dan Campbell. But how long can that last?

Can it translate over 17 games with Jared Goff at quarterback? Sure. But will it come down to them being in the mix as a Wild Card team at the very least—probably?

15. New York Giants

My new nickname for head coach Brian Daboll is “The Magic Man.” He took the laughing stock of the NFC East and turned them into a genuine playoff team.

There’s no denying what happened to the Giants last season. I don’t believe it was a one-hit-wonder. Are people really giving the Commanders a better shot at winning the division?

Not this guy. The Giants are better than what people give them credit for.

16. Minnesota Vikings

I became a bigger fan of Kirk Cousins after watching the Quarterback series on Netflix. He’s the ultimate Dad and a true competitor who will have his work cut out for him in Minnesota.

The Vikings won 13 games but were 11-0 in ones within one score. That doesn’t seem sustainable, given all the pieces they let go. Brian Flores comes in to take a young defense and make the most of it.

In what could very well be Cousins’ last season in purple, the team's success will be tethered to him and Justin Jefferson.

17. Washington Commanders

Whether or not the Commanders finish the season with a winning record, they already won this season by having Josh Harris as their new owner.

This multiple-decade stench of the team has finally been washed away, allowing fans to return to the team they love. Who knows what the team has in Sam Howell, but Washington’s defense is as tough as they come.

Nine wins would feel like they are on top of the world and can keep building from there.

18. New Orleans Saints

It’ll be a neck-and-neck race between the Saints and the Falcons in a lackluster division. As you can see, that’s why they are No. 18 & No. 19 respectively.

New Orleans gets the edge simply by who I believe in more at quarterback. Desmond Ridder could be great, but Derek Carr has been underrated for years and is now with a competent franchise.

19. Atlanta Falcons

All I can say is Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.

The rest, see above for more details.

20. Tennessee Titans

In January 2020, the Titans were in the AFC Championship game, getting there by old school, hard-nosed football. Ever since then, it’s been a painful stumble down the mountain.

Who are the 2023 Tennessee Titans? Ryan Tannehill can be one of the league’s best when he’s hot, but he missed a ton of time last season with injuries. Derrick Henry is getting older, and the defense has some essential parts, but is that enough?

The Titans are floating in a vortex between competing and rebuilding. They must pick a side by the end of the season and stick with it.

21. Cleveland Browns

If the Cleveland Browns were in the NFC South or NFC North, no question they’d be the favorite to win the division and make the playoffs.

Unfortunately, with Aaron Rodgers and Sean Payton coming over to play in their conference, ten wins might not be good enough for a Wild Card spot.

If their offense can take a cohesive step between Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson, it could be all systems go. I just want Nick Chubb to win a rushing title and a Super Bowl because the man deserves it.

22. Chicago Bears

The only reason* I’m putting the Bears ahead of the Packers is betting on a Jalen Hurts leap from Justin Fields. It looked like things started to click and slow down for Fields by the end of the 2022 season.

He was one of the most dynamic runners, making him dangerous to defend. If he can keep building chemistry with D.J. Moore and (insert wide receiver name here), this could be the year Bears fans have been waiting for.

*- I also have Fields on my fantasy team

23. Green Bay Packers

Second to Kenny Pickett, Packers quarterback Jordan Love looked like he could be in for a breakout season this year.

He looked in total control of his passes, and every throw made sense, even if it wasn’t complete. Christian Watson is out for Sunday’s game, which hurts, but if he can show the same “Rodgers” trait of connecting with multiple pass catchers, he should be fine.

Similarly to Nick Chubb, I think Aaron Jones has been a generational back and doesn’t get talked about enough as being one of the league’s best.

24. New England Patriots

Correct me if I’m wrong, but have the Patriots ever been this low in power rankings to start a season?

If not, is this too low?

If yes, is this too high?

Ezekiel Elliott is in New England, and that’s fun.

25. Denver Broncos

Sean Payton took a year off from coaching only to return as a janitor to be the next head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Last year wasn’t anything anyone expected in Denver, especially for new ownership and their massive trade to acquire Russell Wilson.

There’s a lot to be done with the Broncos, but there isn’t anyone suited better for the job than Sean Payton

26. Las Vegas Raiders

Could this be the swan song for Josh McDaniels if he can’t lead the team above .500 within the first month of the season?

The Raiders had a historic record of losses within one score games in 2022 with an uninspired defense led by Maxx Crosby. There are a lot of great players on this roster you’d hate to see end their careers in flame-out fashion in Vegas.

27. Los Angeles Rams

With Cooper Kupp missing the first game of the season and potentially heading to injured reserve, the sky is starting to crack in sunny Los Angeles.

Luckily, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Sean McVay are still in town from their Super Bowl team in 2021 to guide one of the youngest rosters in the NFL to mature quickly and see what they have.

Also, did anyone tell them they need a kicker to win games in the NFL? This is a season of IDGAF from McVay, and I love it.

28. Carolina Panthers

Two words—Bryce Young. If the “who’s who” of a coaching staff can keep the No. 1 overall draft pick from drowning his rookie season, that would be an instant success.

The Panthers have a great head coach in Frank Reich, who finally has a quarterback to mold in his image. With veteran wide receivers and a young defense, Carolina could be spicy in the mix for a division title.

29. Houston Texans

Like the Colts below and the Panthers above, the goal should be to see what the offense looks like with first-round draft pick C.J. Stroud.

Much like the Panthers, if they can string together a surprise Wild Card berth in the AFC, it will be solely on the shoulders of their head coach, DeMeco Ryans.

The Texans’ defense was better than expected last season and added veteran players like Jimmie Ward to pair with last season’s first-round corner, Derek Stingley Jr.

30. Indianapolis Colts

Quarterback Anthony Richardson will be the star of the show for the Colts this year, and that’s all that matters. First-year head coach Shane Steichen has his work cut out for him but should have enough blocks around Richardson to evaluate him moving forward.

The Colts have a problem with no Jonathan Taylor at running back, and the defense has a ton of question marks.

Wins and losses shouldn’t define Indianapolis this season; it should be what we see from Richardson.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield at quarterback is a tough pill to swallow after Bucs fans just had Tom Brady for three seasons.

The reason why they are at the bottom goes further than just Mayfield. With many aging players on the roster and a disgruntled Mike Evans, things aren’t looking up in Tampa.

Hopefully, Mayfield could be the Mayflower fans need to steer this ship in the right direction.

32. Arizona Cardinals

Glass half full—It can only go up from here!

“[I’m] just a small-town boy living in the lovely world of NFL football.”

That “midnight train to anywhere” has taken me here.

Next stop—Press Coverage.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Brandon Loree, and I am a sports writer.

The beauty of a newsletter means there’s a frail 5’7” author whose body wouldn’t allow him to play football past the 7th grade hiding behind these words. I owe my parents a lot, but the genetics of an Olympic athlete wouldn’t be one of them.

Now that you know I cover the NFL without ever taking a professional snap, allow me the chance to prove size doesn’t matter in the world of journalism.

Flash forward to when I broke my arm during one of those 7th-grade football practices, I decided to hang up my cleats for good in exchange for a Dell laptop.

The next best thing to being on the field during a football game would be describing the atmosphere, tension, drama, and joy to others from the press box. While I’m not a frequent flyer of an NFL press box yet, I hope this newsletter will help me get there someday.

Football has meant the world to me, and I hope Press Coverage will mean a lot to you. Every week, I’ll be discussing the NFL topics that pique my interest from any angle and talk about it.

While most of my experience revolves around the Dallas Cowboys, I have covered the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Fantasy Football, the NFL Draft, and the entire league.

This newsletter will feature all 32 teams at one point or another. And yes, that will begrudgingly include the Philadelphia Eagles.

I won’t ask much from my teammates (that’s you), but I ask that you like, share, comment, and contribute to the conversation.

There will be many opportunities for your voice to be heard, along with many other industry professionals I’ve met along my journey.

So tighten those chin straps, buckle your shoulder pads, and line up as you prepare for some Press Coverage.