DALLAS — Adam Schefter went on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday morning with a warning for Stephen A. Smith: the Dallas Cowboys are coming this season. Smith responded on X less than an hour later.
Before getting to Smith, Schefter looked back at the contract drama that closed each of the previous two Cowboys summers. He brought up CeeDee Lamb’s holdout, Dak Prescott getting his extension the morning Dallas opened a season, and the Micah Parsons trade. This summer, Schefter said, has been peaceful and productive.
“And I’ve got to tell you something right now. I’ve got some bad news for Stephen A. Smith,” Schefter said. “The Dallas Cowboys are coming. They are coming this year. And Stephen A. is going to be tested. I’m telling you right now, it’s going to be a long, nervous, anxious year for Stephen A. Smith.”
Get Up host Mike Greenberg started a countdown on set.
“I love how you picked out your one shot,” Greenberg said. “That’s Stephen A. T-minus three and counting until he responds on Twitter.”
Smith posted at 7:37 a.m. CT and picked up the word Schefter used.
“OMG! @AdamSchefter has to get TESTED. He just went on @GetUpESPN, mentioned MY NAME, and swore that the @dallascowboys are coming….like I’m suppose to be worried. They’ve got the great Schefty hooked now. So sad! So sad! I can’t believe I have to tell HIM…..’Just Be Patient! Wait for the Fall. It’s coming.’ I’ve been right for 30 years…..going on 31!!!”
Smith picked the Cowboys to win the NFC East and 12 to 13 games this season on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday morning, saying he was still waiting for the collapse. Smith called Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones his Libra buddy and said Jones had done his job building the roster.
Schefter has been talking up the Dallas defense since July. On July 20, he said on Get Up that the Cowboys could be dangerous, pointing to first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker, a healthy DeMarvion Overshown at linebacker, and the addition of safety Jalen Thompson.
The Dallas Cowboys Summers Adam Schefter Referenced
CeeDee Lamb held out of training camp and the preseason in 2024 before agreeing to a four-year extension worth $136 million on Aug. 26 of that year. Dak Prescott agreed to a four-year extension worth $240 million, with $231 million guaranteed and an $80 million signing bonus, on Sept. 8, 2024, hours before Dallas opened the season at Cleveland. The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 28, 2025, a week before Dallas opened the season at Philadelphia.
Dallas finished 7-9-1 and second in the NFC East last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. The Cowboys allowed 511 points, or 30.1 per game, which ranked 32nd in the league. They also ranked 30th in total yards allowed and 32nd in passing yards allowed. On offense, Dallas scored 471 points, or 27.7 per game, which ranked 7th.
Dallas Cowboys Defensive Additions
Quinnen Williams agreed to a three-year extension worth $105.9 million in August, keeping him under contract through 2030. Dallas had acquired him from the New York Jets before last season’s November trade deadline. Williams finished his 7 games with the Cowboys with 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Kenny Clark, who came to Dallas in the Parsons trade, started all 17 games with 36 tackles and 3.0 sacks. The Cowboys traded a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay for Rashan Gary on March 11 and sent the 152nd overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Dee Winters on April 24.
Overshown played 6 games and made 28 tackles last season after tearing the anterior cruciate, medial collateral, and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee in December 2024. He is moving to middle linebacker and wearing the green dot for Parker.
Dallas Cowboys Offense And Season Opener
Prescott played all 17 games last season and finished with 4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He completed 67.3% of his passes and led the NFL in completions. George Pickens had 93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns in his first year with Dallas. He made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors. Pickens is playing this season on a franchise tag worth $27.3 million fully guaranteed, after the July 15 deadline for tagged players to sign long-term deals passed without an agreement. Lamb caught 75 passes for 1,077 yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games.
Javonte Williams finished 2025 with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries. He added 35 catches for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dallas gave Williams a three-year, $24 million contract with $16 million guaranteed on Feb. 21. Klayton Adams is going into his first season as offensive coordinator under coach Brian Schottenheimer. Pro Football Reference had Dallas at plus-2500 to win the Super Bowl in its preseason odds.
The Cowboys start the season Sunday, Sept. 13, against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. Dallas then plays the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 in the NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Cowboys also host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2014.
