ARLINGTON, Texas — There’s no questioning that the Dallas Cowboys have one of the NFL’s toughest schedules for this upcoming season. The most difficult stretch comes between Weeks 12 and 17 when they play six games against teams that had at least 11 wins last year.
That also includes three teams that went to conference championship games and both teams that played in the Super Bowl.
Advertisement
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones attempted to find a silver lining when asked about that part of the schedule Thursday, a day after it was released.
“The plus side of that is that (four of those six) are at home,” Jones said after a Professional Bull Riders news conference outside of AT&T Stadium. “I love it for our fans who are going to get to see us compete. You got to play the games. The schedule is the schedule. We’ve got some challenges early going on the road, five of our first eight are on the road. We got a spicy schedule at the end when you compare it to (how those teams performed) last year. We look forward to that. I know (Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer) is fired up about the schedule. We’re ready to go. … Overall, we’re a big fan of the schedule.”
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on how the George Pickens trade came together pic.twitter.com/v3OyrKbzWO
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 15, 2025
Dallas’ offense got a significant boost with last week’s trade for George Pickens. Jones has compared the addition of the 24-year-old wide receiver to what Dallas previously had with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant. No. 2 wide receiver was one of Dallas’ biggest offseason needs, so when it was not addressed early in the draft, making a move for a talented playmaker like Pickens made a lot of sense.
“I just think the offseason really came together good for us,” Jones said. “We feel really good about our football team. You start to look at all the guys we’re going to get back that didn’t play last year, it’s a good feeling.”
While the roster has been upgraded in several areas, more help could be used in a few areas, like cornerback and defensive tackle. Jones didn’t name any specific positions Thursday, but he acknowledged that more moves could be made.
“We’re never done,” he said. “I think I’ve said it forever, 365 days a year is player acquisition. Certainly if we see something that improves our football team, we’d make a move.”
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones when asked about Micah Parsons’ contract situation pic.twitter.com/vMpU090PMO
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 15, 2025
There are plenty of questions with so many new pieces and a new coaching staff. Most of those won’t be answered until games are played. But from what Jones has experienced recently around The Star, it appears things are headed in the right direction.
“The energy in our building is just amazing in terms of what (Schottenheimer) has brought with his staff,” Jones said. “All the players are responding to it. It’s always great to have young guys you draft and bring in (undrafted free agents) and have that young energy going and see how they feed off of the vets. And then of course you’ve got the veterans that we brought in from other teams who certainly bring something to the table. It’s exciting to see all these guys come together.
“In general, it just feels like there’s a high energy level, and I see the players responding to it and commenting on the authenticity of our (coaching) staff and what they’re about.”
(Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Paige Bueckers’ WNBA debut spoiled by fellow UConn alum Napheesa Collier
<!--> Napheesa Collier scored 34 points, spoiling the WNBA debut of fellow UConn alum Paige Bueckers and leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 99-84 victory over the Dallas Wings in the season opener for both teams Friday night.Bueckers scored the first points of the season for the Wings, and the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft finished with 10 in front of an announced sellout at the 7,000-seat arena on the campus of Texas-Arlington.Collier started a 13-1 run midway through the third quarter with a bucket in close and finished it with a free throw for a 71-58 lead for the Lynx, who lost to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals last year.-->ADVERTISEMENT <!-->Courtney Williams had 25 points and nine assists and Jessica Shepard had 15 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota.All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale led […]
Clayton Kershaw ready for 18th season with Dodgers: ‘I want to pitch, and contribute’
LOS ANGELES — The question amuses Clayton Kershaw.What is still driving you to do this?There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.AdvertisementHe returns on Saturday for his first start since Aug. 30. Kershaw will face the Angels with a surgically-repaired toe and knee while trying to see what’s left in his surgically-repaired left shoulder.So, why keep going?“I don’t really understand that question,” Kershaw said Friday, a day before returning to the Dodgers for an 18th season. “People ask me that. Why not just ride off into the sunset? I’m […]
Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon questionable for Game 7 vs. Thunder with hamstring injury: Sources
The Denver Nuggets could be without starting power forward Aaron Gordon for Game 7. An MRI revealed that Gordon has sustained a strained hamstring, putting his availability for the second-round series finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder in doubt, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.Gordon will officially be listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s contest at Paycom Center, sources told The Athletic. Gordon will continue receiving treatment in the days and hours leading up to the game, in the hope to try and play, according to sources.AdvertisementThe 6-foot-8 veteran strained the left hamstring in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s Game 6 win over OKC, pursuing a loose ball. He began rubbing the hamstring, and initially stayed in the game but exited in the final minutes. After the game, he was in good spirits in the locker room, laughing and […]
Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon questionable for Game 7 vs. Thunder with hamstring injury: Sources
The Denver Nuggets could be without starting power forward Aaron Gordon for Game 7. An MRI revealed that Gordon has sustained a strained hamstring, putting his availability for the second-round series finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder in doubt, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.Gordon will officially be listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s contest at Paycom Center, sources told The Athletic. Gordon will continue receiving treatment in the days and hours leading up to the game, in the hope to try and play, according to sources.AdvertisementThe 6-foot-8 veteran strained the left hamstring in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s Game 6 win over OKC, pursuing a loose ball. He began rubbing the hamstring, and initially stayed in the game but exited in the final minutes. After the game, he was in good spirits in the locker room, laughing and […]
Ottawa Charge eliminate Montreal Victoire in Game 4 to reach PWHL Finals: Takeaways
The Ottawa Charge will advance to the PWHL Finals after a 2-1 win against the Montreal Victoire in Game 4 of the semifinals on Friday night.Rebecca Leslie — an Ottawa-native — opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, giving the Charge an early lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Maureen Murphy made things interesting late in the third period, cutting the Ottawa lead in half with five minutes remaining. But the Charge — backed by strong goaltending from Gwyneth Philips — were able to secure the win and pull off the upset.AdvertisementMontreal entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in the league and got to choose its semifinal opponent, the third-ranked Charge. Montreal was heavily favored to win the series according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, with 63 percent odds. But the Victoire only mustered one win — 3-2 in […]
Ottawa Charge eliminate Montreal Victoire in Game 4 to reach PWHL Finals: Takeaways
The Ottawa Charge will advance to the PWHL Finals after a 2-1 win against the Montreal Victoire in Game 4 of the semifinals on Friday night.Rebecca Leslie — an Ottawa-native — opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, giving the Charge an early lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Maureen Murphy made things interesting late in the third period, cutting the Ottawa lead in half with five minutes remaining. But the Charge — backed by strong goaltending from Gwyneth Philips — were able to secure the win and pull off the upset.AdvertisementMontreal entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in the league and got to choose its semifinal opponent, the third-ranked Charge. Montreal was heavily favored to win the series according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, with 63 percent odds. But the Victoire only mustered one win — 3-2 in […]
Related
Paige Bueckers’ WNBA debut spoiled by fellow UConn alum Napheesa Collier
<!--> Napheesa Collier scored 34 points, spoiling the WNBA debut of fellow UConn alum Paige Bueckers and leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 99-84 victory over the Dallas Wings in the season opener for both teams Friday night.Bueckers scored the first points of the season for the Wings, and the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft finished with 10 in front of an announced sellout at the 7,000-seat arena on the campus of Texas-Arlington.Collier started a 13-1 run midway through the third quarter with a bucket in close and finished it with a free throw for a 71-58 lead for the Lynx, who lost to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals last year.-->ADVERTISEMENT <!-->Courtney Williams had 25 points and nine assists and Jessica Shepard had 15 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota.All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale led […]
Clayton Kershaw ready for 18th season with Dodgers: ‘I want to pitch, and contribute’
LOS ANGELES — The question amuses Clayton Kershaw.What is still driving you to do this?There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.AdvertisementHe returns on Saturday for his first start since Aug. 30. Kershaw will face the Angels with a surgically-repaired toe and knee while trying to see what’s left in his surgically-repaired left shoulder.So, why keep going?“I don’t really understand that question,” Kershaw said Friday, a day before returning to the Dodgers for an 18th season. “People ask me that. Why not just ride off into the sunset? I’m […]
Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon questionable for Game 7 vs. Thunder with hamstring injury: Sources
The Denver Nuggets could be without starting power forward Aaron Gordon for Game 7. An MRI revealed that Gordon has sustained a strained hamstring, putting his availability for the second-round series finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder in doubt, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.Gordon will officially be listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s contest at Paycom Center, sources told The Athletic. Gordon will continue receiving treatment in the days and hours leading up to the game, in the hope to try and play, according to sources.AdvertisementThe 6-foot-8 veteran strained the left hamstring in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s Game 6 win over OKC, pursuing a loose ball. He began rubbing the hamstring, and initially stayed in the game but exited in the final minutes. After the game, he was in good spirits in the locker room, laughing and […]
Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon questionable for Game 7 vs. Thunder with hamstring injury: Sources
The Denver Nuggets could be without starting power forward Aaron Gordon for Game 7. An MRI revealed that Gordon has sustained a strained hamstring, putting his availability for the second-round series finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder in doubt, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.Gordon will officially be listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s contest at Paycom Center, sources told The Athletic. Gordon will continue receiving treatment in the days and hours leading up to the game, in the hope to try and play, according to sources.AdvertisementThe 6-foot-8 veteran strained the left hamstring in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s Game 6 win over OKC, pursuing a loose ball. He began rubbing the hamstring, and initially stayed in the game but exited in the final minutes. After the game, he was in good spirits in the locker room, laughing and […]
Ottawa Charge eliminate Montreal Victoire in Game 4 to reach PWHL Finals: Takeaways
The Ottawa Charge will advance to the PWHL Finals after a 2-1 win against the Montreal Victoire in Game 4 of the semifinals on Friday night.Rebecca Leslie — an Ottawa-native — opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, giving the Charge an early lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Maureen Murphy made things interesting late in the third period, cutting the Ottawa lead in half with five minutes remaining. But the Charge — backed by strong goaltending from Gwyneth Philips — were able to secure the win and pull off the upset.AdvertisementMontreal entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in the league and got to choose its semifinal opponent, the third-ranked Charge. Montreal was heavily favored to win the series according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, with 63 percent odds. But the Victoire only mustered one win — 3-2 in […]
Ottawa Charge eliminate Montreal Victoire in Game 4 to reach PWHL Finals: Takeaways
The Ottawa Charge will advance to the PWHL Finals after a 2-1 win against the Montreal Victoire in Game 4 of the semifinals on Friday night.Rebecca Leslie — an Ottawa-native — opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, giving the Charge an early lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Maureen Murphy made things interesting late in the third period, cutting the Ottawa lead in half with five minutes remaining. But the Charge — backed by strong goaltending from Gwyneth Philips — were able to secure the win and pull off the upset.AdvertisementMontreal entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in the league and got to choose its semifinal opponent, the third-ranked Charge. Montreal was heavily favored to win the series according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, with 63 percent odds. But the Victoire only mustered one win — 3-2 in […]
Be the first to leave a comment