The Dallas Cowboys finished last season with a top five offense, and the pieces are in place for something even more explosive in 2026. Here is a list of five steps for them to become the most dangerous attack in the game. And we’ll start with one of the biggest names in the NFL today. 

Moving George Pickens around the formation

This might be the single biggest unlock for the Cowboys offense, and it’s already in motion. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently spoke to reporters about plans to unleash Pickens in an expanded role, different from what Dallas deployed during year one of the Pickens era. Specifically, Schottenheimer mentioned plans to move Pickens around. 

Here’s a number worth remembering: out of the 91 receivers with the most targets in the NFL last season, Pickens had the second-lowest percentage of snaps in the slot. That should change in year two.

Now, CeeDee Lamb remains one of the most dangerous receivers working from the inside, and nobody wants to eat into all of his slot snaps. However, if the Cowboys can get Pickens to around 30% of his playing time from the slot (up from last year’s 10%), they create a game-planning nightmare for opposing defenses. No longer can a defensive coordinator walk into his meeting room and simply say, “Pickens plays outside.” On a crucial third down, Pickens working from the slot, perhaps bunched with Lamb, forces defenses to solve a problem they haven’t had to solve before.

Improving red zone efficiency

The Cowboys had the sixth-most trips into the red zone last season, per RBSDM. That fits perfectly with everything you already know about their offensive efficiency. Yet Dallas ranked 18th in touchdown percentage inside the 20-yard line. That gap between getting there and finishing is the difference between a good offense and a great one.

Tight end Jake Ferguson could be crucial to closing that gap. While he wasn’t his usual explosive self last season, Ferguson was efficient inside the 20. He finished with eight touchdowns, the third most among tight ends, and seven of those came in the red zone, according to Sports Info Solutions. Finding ways to convert red zone trips into six points instead of three will be massive for the Cowboys in 2026. I’m bullish on Schottenheimer’s ability to evolve as a play-caller in this area, considering this will be his second year running the show in Dallas.

Jayden Blue becoming the change-of-pace back

As long as Javonte Williams stays healthy, he’s the No. 1 running back. If Williams goes down, Phil Mafah’s size gives him the better profile to carry the lead role. But with a healthy Williams, Blue is the better complement in a one-two punch.

Williams brings power, balance, and vision. Blue brings explosiveness and speed. Williams wasn’t among the top 20 in explosive play percentage last year. His big gains came mostly on perfectly blocked plays, which is fine. But Blue offers home run upside that the Cowboys’ ground game simply didn’t have.

Here’s why that matters so much: Dallas had the worst average starting field position in the entire NFL last season. The Cowboys need explosive plays to leap into their shot areas, and Blue can provide that element on the ground to pair with what they already generate through the air. If Blue figures out the consistency and trust issues, Dallas can turn one of the most efficient running games in the league into one of the most explosive.

Better pass protection from one offensive tackle

One. That’s the key word. I don’t need Tyler Guyton and Terrence Steele to suddenly become Pro Bowlers. I need one of them to take a real step forward. Whether it’s Steele returning to what he showed earlier in his career or Guyton figuring out the consistency issues to become a reliable left tackle, either development would transform this offense.

Last season, when the Cowboys aimed for shots down the field, they were often running max protection schemes with seven blockers, involving the tight end and running back. That’s fine in spots, but it limits the route combinations available to quarterback Dak Prescott. Improved tackle play would allow Dallas to drop back with five-step concepts, skip the check-and-release duties for the tight end, and give Prescott more targets to work with downfield.

Continuity ties it all together

The final piece is the simplest one: continuity. Year two in Schottenheimer’s system should breed comfort, timing, and trust across the offense. I’m bullish on the Cowboys, specifically because of this unit. If the offense keeps building and improving, Dallas can be a playoff contender. And dare I say, maybe a little bit more than that.