Heartbreak Sundays and Misery Mondays are becoming the norm for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026.
The vicious cycle continues following Dallas' total collapse against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, and some significant questions now confront the team as it decides if the current season is worth further investment.
In fact, that may be the biggest question of all.
Should the Cowboys start focusing on the future?
A 3-5 record is far from a death sentence, especially in the current NFC East. With 10 weeks still to play in 2026, Dallas is well within striking distance of the division-leading Giants at 4-2-1. Perhaps it would be unwise to throw in the towel.
Plus, the Cowboys are considered to have a much easier schedule over the remainder of the season than New York, so a division crown and playoff spot are still very much on the table.
But even if the Cowboys did sneak into the postseason, to what end? A first-round blowout at the hands of some tough wild card team from the NFC North? If they make the dance and then get bounced quickly by Green Bay, are fans going to have any warm and fuzzy feelings about this season?
Clearly, this Dallas team isn't ready to contend. It can't put together 60 minutes of quality football, let alone an overtime period. Sunday's meltdown was a microcosm of the season: the defense is mostly useless, and the offense can't deliver when given game-closing opportunities.
At this painful point, trading for another pass rusher like Josh Sweat or Maxx Crosby feels like throwing good money after bad. The current coaching staff doesn't seem capable of utilizing talent properly, so why dump resources into giving them more?
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe one more guy with true catalytic potential would spark a turnaround. It's not like Dallas has been getting blown out all year; losses to the Giants, Ravens, and Cardinals could have easily gone the other way with a little more defensive help.
Fans would feel very differently if the Cowboys were 6-2 right now, and whatever move could've made that happen would feel worth the price. But again, that's the front office's dilemma. If you focus on just winning the NFC East, one more trade may make sense.
But do they really think that will be enough to make this team a postseason contender? Is the faith in Brian Schottenheimer's leadership or Christian Parker's coordinating enough to pump more assets into the current campaign?
Dallas faces many other questions based on this one
A lot hinges on this one big question. If they decide to fold on 2026, what could that mean for the coaching staff? Yes, Jerry Jones just said that he isn't going to fire Brian Schottenheimer mid-season. But he said the same thing about Wade Phillips in 2010, and we know what happened there.
What about George Pickens? Franchising him was all about competing this season, preserving the offense to carry a rebuilding defense. But that hasn't worked out so far, and the idea of re-signing Pickens next offseason while also trying to fix other roster issues seems problematic.
There are contending teams who could use wide receiver help, so could Dallas improve its draft stockpile and end its rental agreement with Pickens early? Or deal a number of other players to more needy teams at the deadline?
We'll dive deeper into these and other questions soon. But they all come back to the overarching decision: is the 2026 season worth saving? Maybe the Jones family waits until next Sunday to make a final decision, especially with the trade deadline on Nov 10th.
But that choice, whenever it's made, could have a cascade effect on the Cowboys over the next few months.
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