Talkin’ Cowboys: Can the Defense Get Right?

Podcast: Talkin’ Cowboys
Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick No Ce Walker, Josh Rodriguez
Location: The Star in Frisco, TX
Theme: Analyzing whether the Cowboys' defense can bounce back, evaluating injuries, IR returns, and future roster moves. Listener calls add fan perspective on hot Cowboys topics.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the urgent question: "Can the Dallas Cowboys' defense get right after a turbulent first month?" The crew breaks down recent injury news, the impact of upcoming returns from IR, how the running back group is outperforming expectations, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses within the defense. This interactive edition also welcomes fan calls, ranging from cap space debates to thoughts about the Cowboys’ evolving team-building philosophy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Injury Updates & IR Windows

[04:20 – 08:41]

• Malik Hooker (Safety): Left the Packers game with a toe injury. Revealed the problem has lingered all season; could miss "a couple weeks."
  • Patrick Walker: "He did not have a boot on yesterday, but he was walking with a noticeable limp." (04:59)
• Tyler Guyton (Offensive Line): Left with a concussion, must clear protocol for Jets game.
  • Patrick Walker: "It is not up to him, it is not up to the Cowboys. It is up to the independent NFL neurologist." (05:25)
  • Patrick pushes back at social media rumors about conditioning.
  • "I don't know how you condition yourself against suffering a concussion. That's not how the human body works." (06:41)
• Miles Sanders (RB): Suffered ankle injury; optimism he could return vs. Jets, but backup options are being considered ("Jaden Blue very close to an NFL debut"—though the crew remains skeptical of these hints).
• Potential IR Returns (Week 5): Players eligible to open practice windows:
  • Phil Mafah, Savone Revel, Cailyn Carson, Jonathan Mingo, Josh Butler, Peyton Turner.
  • Crew particularly excited for Savone Revel ("need help [in the secondary] right now" — Josh Rodriguez, 14:41), and cautious optimism for Cailyn "Seatbelt" Carson returning healthy.

Running Back Room: Surprise Standouts

[08:53 – 12:28]

• Kyle and Josh admit they underrated Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders’ impact.
  • "I, I was wrong and I'm willing to admit it... I believe in those two guys." — Kyle Yeomans (08:57)
  • Patrick: "One thing about us is if we're wrong, we'll admit it." (09:42)
• Discussion over why Jaden Blue hasn’t cracked the rotation yet; fans anxious, but consensus is patience is warranted with a rookie.

IR Window: Who Do the Cowboys Need Most?

[13:51 – 19:01]

• Debate on who should return from IR first (Revel, Carson, or Mafah).
• Both Revel and Carson seen as crucial to repairing the secondary, especially given injuries and past performance issues.
  • Patrick Walker: "The secondary is in a situation where they don’t have the luxury to pick and choose what help is on the way. I think all the help needs to be on the way and then you sort things out from there." (16:33)
• Excitement for DeMarvion Overshown comeback; the linebacker group is thin and underperforming.
  • Kyle Yeomans: "It's either going to be the best comeback story... or one of the biggest what ifs." (20:04)
  • Josh compares Overshown's possible future to Sean Lee—a game-changer whose injuries may limit his legacy.

Wide Receiver & Cap Space Conversation: Should Pickens Be Extended?

[27:29 – 32:42]

• Caller asks about George Pickens’ contract status.
• CD Lamb previously said he can’t imagine Pickens not being with Dallas long-term. Jerry Jones recently echoed optimism.
  • Patrick Walker: "Cowboys right now still floating over $30 million in available salary cap space and they get to roll 100% of the unused portion over into the 2026 offseason." (29:40)
  • Important note: Pickens’ agent is same as Micah Parsons’—but the camp insists no hard feelings.
  • Kyle: "There's no reason for Pickens to do it now. He's betting on himself. And so far it's coming to fruition." (31:49)
  • Consensus: Cowboys should extend Pickens, but timing will depend on agent/player goals.

The Defensive Woes: Is It Personnel or Execution?

[32:54 – 37:35]

• Caller laments repeat defensive issues (missed tackles, lack of pass rush, undisciplined linebackers).
• Kyle: Communication and pass rush improved vs. Packers, but missed tackles erased the progress.
• Josh: "I don't think this defense currently, as we sit here, is good enough. I think you're missing at least three or four impact players." (34:57)
• Patrick: Defensive tackles (Kenny Clark, Osa, Solomon Thomas) playing well, but defensive ends and linebackers are lagging.
  • "You're set at defensive tackle." —Patrick Walker (35:55)
• Defensive ends (e.g., Dante Fowler, James Houston, Jadeveon Clowney) must step up to help weaker second level.

Phone Calls from Fans: Accountability, Roster Depth & Prioritizing Defense

[41:56 – 54:24]

• Brian (Kansas City) praises special teamer and new starter Wanye Thomas:
  • Patrick: "Oneye [Thomas] can react faster. He's quicker. He is literally faster... He has such a high football IQ, he picks up on things quickly." (45:31)
  • Both hosts highlight Thomas’ brains and attitude but acknowledge learning curve.
• Accountability appreciated when "Chicago Made Josh" calls in to apologize for a past bad suggestion (CD Lamb on end-arounds).
• Sebastian (Savannah, via Michigan): Emphasizes that penalties are the biggest issue holding Cowboys back. Advocates for spending cap space on defense over extending Pickens.
  • "If we can get this defense to a top 16 defense... this kid [Dak Prescott] is playing out of his mind." (50:47)
  • Kyle and Josh discuss the team’s shifting free agency and roster-building approach, noting recent additions like Kenny Clark, Javonte Williams, and George Pickens point to a new philosophy.

Notable Quotes

• On injuries and rebounds:
  • "This toe issue has been something he's been dealing with all season." – Patrick Walker on Malik Hooker, (04:59)
• On personnel growth:
  • "One thing about us is if we're wrong, we'll admit it." – Patrick Walker, (09:42)
• On defensive reality:
  • "I don't think this defense currently, as we sit here, is good enough." – Josh Rodriguez, (34:57)
• On roster-building philosophy:
  • "Trajectory is on the right path... If the mentality is changing a bit and they're going to both use free agency and the draft to build a team..." – Josh Rodriguez, (52:21)
• Fan perspective:
  • "If we can get this defense to a top 16 defense... this kid [Dak] is playing out of his mind." – Sebastian, (50:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Injury Updates & IR Return Candidates: [04:20 – 14:39]
• Running Back Room Surprises: [08:53 – 12:28]
• IR Discussion – Who Returns First?: [13:51 – 19:01]
• Wide Receiver and Pickens Debate: [27:29 – 32:42]
• State of the Defense: [32:54 – 37:35]
• Listener Q&A—Roster Depth & Priorities: [41:56 – 54:24]

Memorable Moments

• The crew openly admits missed preseason evaluations on RBs, setting a tone of humility and learning.
• Lively fan calls spark rapid-fire debates: from cap space allocations to in-depth breakdowns on backup safeties.
• “Seatbelt Carson” nickname dissected—how fan perceptions and training camp narratives can linger, for better or worse.
• "Chicago Made Josh" owns up to a take gone wrong, earning both grief and respect from the hosts.

Takeaways

• The Cowboys' defense remains a work in progress, especially at linebacker and edge rusher.
• Returning IR players could dramatically impact both the secondary and LB corps.
• Running backs room and defensive tackle play are (surprisingly) areas of strength.
• The Pickens contract debate embodies a core tension between offensive firepower and the need to invest in defense, all under the umbrella of evolving front office strategy.
• The show thrives on its blend of news, honest analysis, and passionate fan engagement—a must-listen for diehard Cowboys followers.