Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: Biggest GOALS For The 2025 Dallas Cowboys | Can Defense Improve In Second Half of Season?
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode explores what the Dallas Cowboys should prioritize for the remainder of the 2025 season, given the likelihood that they won't make the playoffs. Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down key goals, how the defense and key players can progress, roster/cap considerations for 2026, and what they want to see from first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer in the second half of the season.

1. Season Goals with No Playoff Hopes (00:57–10:32)

Key Points:

• The primary focus shifts from playoffs to building foundational strength for 2026.
• Growth and development of young players takes center stage, especially in weak position groups like the offensive line and defensive backfield.

Landon on player development:
"It's about developing your youth and getting continuity at the positions that are weak... getting the opportunity to try to get some experience not only on the field individually but together for that, especially that offense." (02:12)

Marcus on roster clarity:
"I think roster clarity is one thing that we would love to see. Like we get to the end of the season and we run through the roster, we've got a pretty good idea where everybody slots in." (03:31)

Player-Specific Examples:

• Young DBs: If Kaylin Carson proves himself as a reliable fourth corner (04:43), it lessens the urgency for offseason overhaul.
• Defensive Contributors: Improvement from rotational players—like Bridges, Wanye Thomas, Leop, Ezraku—can fill roles and help budget/roster planning (05:15–05:44).

Marcus on impact trades:
"If Quinn and Williams can come in and be a Pro bowl or all pro caliber defensive tackle... that's what you traded for him to do... that's a huge win because you're just going to feel so much better about your front seven." (06:10)

Team Identity & Meaningful Wins:

• Establishing a clear identity is vital for long-term success. Pulling off a couple of late-season upsets (e.g., vs. Chiefs or Lions) could set a strong foundation ala the 2022–2023 Lions model (07:30).

Landon on physical football:
"Get back to being a physical run football team, right?... let's get back to mashing people a little bit. And I think that will help all the other things we've talked about." (08:45)

2. Cap Space and 2026 Offseason Planning (10:32–21:48)

Cap Reality vs. Media Overreaction

• Despite rumors of the Cowboys being massively over the cap, the situation is manageable through standard NFL cap mechanisms (13:26–13:58).

Marcus clarifying:
"So, yeah, number one, do not worry about the cap. They will be, they will be just fine." (13:58)

Key Release/Restructure Candidates (w/ Cap Savings):

• Terence Steele: Post-June 1 cut could save $14M (14:47)
• Trayvon Diggs: Likely cut, June 1 saves $15.5M (16:30)
• Malik Hooker: Cutting would save $7M, but depth is a concern (17:39)
• Kenny Clark: Open to restructure/extension to lower cap hit (18:29)
• Logan Wilson: $6.5M savings, but likely a one-year rental (18:58)
• CeeDee Lamb: Restructuring could free up $19M (19:40)
• Dak Prescott: Preset restructure could add $31M in space (20:27)

Landon on manipulation flexibility:
"They're going to have ways to pull triggers and create money pockets... they'll do a couple of them probably before the end of the season to roll over to next year." (19:40)

RFAs and Contract Tenders:

• TJ Bass/Brandon Aubrey/Brock Hoffman: Debated 2nd-round vs original-round tenders (20:42–21:48)

3. What To Watch For: Brian Schottenheimer’s Progress (24:52–29:00)

Areas for Improvement:

• Game Management & Aggression: Needs to better understand when to push the offense given defensive limitations.

Landon:
"Being a little bit more aggressive and responsive... say hey, we need these points because our defense is not going to be able to stop these guys and just kind of being more aggressive when the time calls for it to help his defense out." (24:52)

Marcus on situational sharpness:
"I'd like to see the process be better of knowing when to go for it in the right situations and maximizing, you know, your win probability and you're right like knowing your team." (26:10)

Play Calling & Philosophy

• The offense was most innovative when forced to adjust due to injuries (e.g., vs. Green Bay). More creativity and adjustment are needed as key players return (27:37).

Future Head Coaching Potential

• Landon speculates Schottenheimer could become more of a "CEO coach" in the future, potentially giving up play calling duties if and when it gets too much—but no need to do so yet (28:11).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On building for 2026:
  -"There is a lot you can do to kind of set yourself up for success in 2026, even if you're not going to make the playoffs in 2025." – Landon (02:12)
• On impact upsets:
  -"Those are sometimes the games that can end up helping long term... it was that game that kind of set the wheels in motion." – Marcus (07:30)
• On run game identity:
  -"Now that Booker's back healthy, now that BB's back, let's get back to mashing people a little bit." – Landon (08:45)
• On cap anxiety:
  -"Do not worry, they are just fine." – Marcus (21:49)
• On Schottenheimer's learning curve:
  -"It's still just about adjustments and as,... chemistry with Dak is obviously very keen." – Landon (28:11)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:57–10:32] – Setting season goals with no playoff prospects
• [13:26–21:48] – Cap situation analysis & 2026 roster moves
• [24:52–29:00] – Assessing Schottenheimer & second-half coaching goals

Summary Takeaways

• The 2025 Dallas Cowboys should shift focus toward player development, roster clarity, and establishing a physical team identity, rather than desperately chasing slim playoff odds.
• The salary cap is not a major concern despite outside rumors. Standard NFL cap tactics (cuts, restructures) put the Cowboys in solid shape for 2026.
• Coaches—especially Brian Schottenheimer—must show growth in situational awareness and offensive creativity to make the most of a roster in flux.
• Key outcomes for the season: growth of young talent, wins that build culture, and clear offseason planning on both the field and the balance sheet.