What is the ceiling (and floor) for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026?

For a while during the early 2020s, it seemed that the Dallas Cowboys might be set to return to the glory days of the franchise, as they reeled off three consecutive 12-win seasons and became an established postseason contender.

But then a downturn in 2024 cost Mike McCarthy, the architect of those teams, a chance to return as the head coach. Brian Schottenheimer took over the reins of the program, but his first season saw the Cowboys post a losing record and miss the playoffs for a second straight year. As the Schottenheimer experiment continues, what is the ceiling (and the floor) for the Cowboys in 2026?

Ceiling: 10-7

There were opportunities for a few more wins last year for the Cowboys, and Dak Prescott has proven in the past that he's a quarterback who is capable of leading a team to double-digit wins and a playoff run. Expectations should be lower than a return to 12-win territory. Still, with what should be an improved defense under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, there's no reason the Cowboys can't win a few more games and get back to the postseason.

Floor: 7-10

While things likely won't get worse than last year, there is a possibility that they don't get better, either. Schottenheimer is unproven as a head coach, and Prescott has struggled with consistency at different points in his career. If the team's abysmal defense doesn't take the step forward they're hoping for under Parker, they could be back in the same spot this season.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: What is the ceiling (and floor) for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026?

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