Mailbag: Did Cowboys make any progress in 2023?

It’s simple to argue that the 2023 season was unsuccessful overall because of the playoff defeat, but I’m attempting to figure out if

“progress” was achieved over the 2022 campaign. While there were a lot of individual records, accolades, and successes in 2023, did

the Cowboys as a team advance? – Loudon, Tennessee/Dave Nystrom

Nick Eatman: Not an easy question to answer, simply because of the uncertainties that hover around this team right now,

particularly on defense with Dan Quinn. Because, no matter what happened in the playoffs, continuity is always a big thing in sports.

Sure, they got beat really bad by the Packers but over the course of the entire season, I still think it was rather successful because of the

strides made by a young team, particularly with certain players. Seeing DaRon Bland step up his game

was huge for the future. And Micah

Parsons, while he had trouble getting a holding call, still showed that he can take over games, especially as a rusher. In just three years,

he’s doing things that has rarely been done in the entire NFL history. On offense, CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson showed the types

of players that can be in this offense. I think Tyler Smith will become one of the best blockers in this league, regardless if he ends up at

tackle or stays at guard. To me, those individual accomplishments will eventually help the entire team make progress.

Kurt: That one is difficult. You’re absolutely correct—certain players undoubtedly advanced—but can we really claim the team

advanced when the season closes on such a depressing note? I would argue that there are two areas where there may have been

progress. The Texas Coast offense is the first. I believe that during the season, Dak Prescott’s system knowledge and Mike McCarthy’s

play-calling both got better. As a result, they will start from a different position when they reassemble in July for training camp.

maybe even higher ceiling on a higher storey. Second, they persisted in trying to create a winning culture. The Cowboys had their third

consecutive season with 12 wins and an NFC East title during that period, although falling in the playoffs. McCarthy declared, “We’ve

set up a championship program.” Just yet, it’s not the world championship.” There is some truth to that, even though it’s difficult to

hear at the moment. More success is bred by success. Maybe this is all wishful thinking, though. For if this season continues, the

Cowboys will surely be regressing and getting closer to the starting point.