At 3-5-1, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in unfamiliar territory, searching for answers at the halfway point of a disappointing season.
The bye week offers a rare moment for reflection, and as a lifelong Cowboys fan, it’s impossible not to dissect where things have gone wrong and where things can still be fixed.
There’s talent on this roster, but a series of glaring issues have held the team back from being a true contender.
Here are a few key takeaways from this much-needed break.
Run Defense is Still Lacking
Let’s start with one of the most frustrating part of the Cowboys’ season: the run defense.
After the front office traded away Micah Parsons earlier in the year, the expectation was that the defense would shift its identity to a more balanced, gap-disciplined unit.
With Kenny Clark anchoring the middle, fans hoped the bleeding would stop.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. Dallas currently ranks 29th in the league, giving up a staggering 143.0 rushing yards per game.
That’s not just bad, it’s embarrassing for a team that claims to have Super Bowl aspirations.
The addition of Quinnen Williams should help immensely, as he’s one of the NFL’s most dominant run defenders and brings a physical edge that’s been sorely missing.
Pairing him with Logan Wilson, a proven tackling machine at linebacker, could finally give this unit some stability.
Still, until we see consistent gap control, sound tackling, and a little pride in stopping the run, it’s hard to believe the defense will hold up against playoff-caliber opponents.
Need for Speed in the Backfield
On offense, Javonte Williams has been a revelation. His bruising running style and ability to shed tackles have brought much-needed toughness to the ground game.
He’s the kind of back who can wear down a defense late in games.
However, what this offense lacks is speed; that game-breaking element that keeps defenses honest.
When the Cowboys drafted Jaydon Blue, fans were excited about his potential as a home-run threat, but in typical fashion, that experiment ended abruptly.
After getting just 15 carries over two weeks, Blue was a healthy scratch against the Cardinals, with Malik Davis getting the nod instead.
That’s the kind of decision that leaves fans scratching their heads.
Imagine the offense with a change-of-pace back who could stretch the field; someone like Tony Pollard, who ironically was available at the trade deadline.
Adding a back with burst would complement Williams perfectly and open up play-action opportunities for Dak Prescott.
Without that speed element, this offense continues to feel predictable and one-dimensional in the rushing attack.
Extend George Pickens
This one should be a no-brainer: Extend George Pickens.
The young wideout has injected energy, swagger, and competitiveness into an offense that desperately needed it.
His chemistry with CeeDee Lamb has been electric, giving the Cowboys arguably one of the best receiving duos in the league.
Pickens plays with an edge; the kind of fire that elevates the entire offense. He’s a tone-setter and a player the Cowboys can build around for years to come.
Locking him up before the 2026 season should be a top priority, ensuring that Prescott continues to have elite weapons on the outside.
That said, the front office has a reputation for being cautious with big extensions, and fans should brace themselves for a drawn-out negotiation.
If the Cowboys truly want to build a long-term contender, keeping Pickens and Lamb together for the next several years is the best way forward.
Final Thoughts
As a Cowboys fan, there is a laundry list of things that I can suggest be fixed, but to keep this article taking the form of a novel, I stopped short.
The Cowboys are far from finished, but time is running out.
The run defense must improve, the offense needs more speed, and the front office has to think long-term about its stars. The bye week provides a moment to regroup, refocus, and maybe even rediscover some identity.
If these changes happen, Dallas could still claw its way back into the playoff picture.
If not, another season of “what could have been” looms large in Big D.
