It's a question that gets floated every so often on social media: which Dallas Cowboys legend would you bring out of retirement to most improve the current roster?
This week, it was asked of head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and his surprising response set off a fun little chain reaction involving all-time great Michael Irvin.
In his Wednesday press conference, Schottenheimer was asked his thoughts of Rams' legend Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. Dallas and Los Angeles are scheduled to play each other in Week 15. Schottenheimer was then asked a follow-up question about any former Cowboys player he would bring back to the team if possible.
His response: Michael Irvin, joking that "you can never have enough good receivers." It was a brief, lighthearted moment in the media session, but wasn't long before The Playmaker continued the conversation.
Michael Irvin picks his own Cowboys legends to help the 2026 team
Appearing on "The Rich Eisen Show" today, Irvin was asked about Schottenheimer's comments. He loved the mention, of course, but was quick to say that the Cowboys were "locked and loaded at wide receiver."
Speaking seriously, Irvin first picked legendary pass rusher Charles Haley to help the current team.
But then he pivoted and went with cornerback Deion Sanders, citing that combining Sanders' shutdown play on one side of the field with rookie Caleb Downs, whom he compared to Darren Woodson, would have a dynamic overall impact on the defense.
There's no arguing that Sanders would be a great help to the 2026 roster, given ongoing concerns at cornerback. But you could say that about pretty much every team in the NFL: Who couldn't use the greatest CB in the history of football?
Michael Irvin could have picked former Cowboys RT Erik Williams
In terms of solving the Cowboys' biggest weakness this season, the best option from the 90s might actually be right tackle Erik Williams.
No other starting job is more uncertain right now: Terence Steele's slump this offseason led to Dallas trading for a first-round bust in Pittsburgh's Broderick Jones.
Having another All-Pro player like Williams on the front line would be an embarrassment of riches on offense, but would certainly remove the Cowboys' biggest liability going into the regular season.
A third-round pick in 1991, Williams was a two-time first-team All-Pro with Dallas and made four Pro Bowls. The Cowboys' rosters were so stacked that decade, but Williams was an integral part of the 1990s dynasty, starting 133 of 141 games over 10 years in Dallas.
We have more faith in DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and Cobie Durant performing well for Christian Parker than we do in whatever Klayton Adams comes up at RT.
Of course, this is all silly conjecture and fantasy. But Michael Irvin's comments, coming from a former player who's still closely tied to the organization, showed real insight into the Cowboys' current needs. Pass rush and cornerback are still major concerns going forward.
Hopefully, in the absence of a time machine, we discover some new legends in those roles in 2026.
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