Talkin' Cowboys: “Degree of Difficulty” – January 13, 2026

Host: Kyle Yeomans
Analysts: Patrik "Nosey" Walker, Isaiah Stanback, Josh Rodriguez
Location: Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, Frisco, Texas

Episode Overview

This lively offseason episode of Talkin’ Cowboys delivers a classic blend of barbershop banter and sharp football analysis as the crew grades the 2025 Cowboys’ season, breaks down position-by-position performance, and examines candidates for the open defensive coordinator role. With the Cowboys coming off a 7-9-1 season, the tone is candid, at times tough, but laced with humor and camaraderie. Listeners get insight into both stats and intangibles, with memorable quotes, sharp disagreements, and smart context about what's next for the franchise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up: Offseason Transactions & Roster Notes

(05:43 – 13:51)

• Futures Contracts: Updates on which young fringe players the Cowboys retained for offseason development: safety Julius Wood, Zion Childress, Isaiah Land, Marcellus Johnson, Nick Everett, Paris Campbell, Tren Holden, Israel Abanakanda. Four players (Princeton Fant, Will Grier, Jalen Cropper, Ernest Brown) did not receive futures deals.
  • "Each one of these names, you have to commit to learning these names...you have to study those names." – Kyle Yeomans (07:36)
• Donovan Azraku Arrest: Rookie DE Donovan Azraku was arrested for reckless driving. No alcohol was involved; the Cowboys PR's response was “no comment.”
  • The panel emphasizes learning from mistakes and stresses that no one was harmed.
  • “The good thing is that no one was hurt—he can learn his lesson without him or someone else being hurt.” – Josh Rodriguez (12:03)

2. Cowboys 2025 Report Card: Head Coach/Offensive Grades

(13:51 – 46:05)

Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer

(13:51 – 23:46)

• Letter Grades:
  • B- (Walker, Stanback), C (Rodriguez), C- (Yeomans)
  • Praised for weathering storms (losing top defensive players, handling turmoil).
  • Critique: Lack of holistic impact—offensive identity present, but struggled to imprint ethos on the defense and special teams. Accountability was strong on offense, but missing on defense.
  • Quote: “When you’re the head coach, you’re responsible for more than one third of the game. I don’t believe that he fully had his imprint on the defense.” – Isaiah Stanback (17:02)

Quarterback: Dak Prescott

(27:14 – 32:02)

• Unanimous Grade: A
  • Record-setting season: 4,600 yards, 30 TD, 10 INT, top-3 passer.
  • Elite play under challenging conditions: league’s 2nd-highest “tight window throw” rate, 7th-worst receiver separation, most receiver drop yardage in NFL.
  • Quote: “If you think the failure of your season is on Dak’s shoulders, I vehemently disagree with you. Dak Prescott was the best player on either side of the ball—absolutely.” – Patrik Walker (28:20)
  • “He used his mobility, he got active with his legs...he moved the chains several times with his legs as well. Keep that going.” – Josh Rodriguez (29:09)
  • “Prescott targeted a tight window on nearly 20% of attempts. His targets averaged just 3.3 yards of separation. And he finished as the number three passer in the NFL. That means that dude’s ballin’.” – Kyle Yeomans (31:03)

Running Backs

(32:02 – 38:24)

• Range: B+ (Stanback), B (Yeomans, Walker), C+ (Rodriguez)
• Javonte Williams gets universal praise for a surprise 1,200-yard/10-TD season. Malik Davis exceeds expectations late in the year; others (Miles Sanders, Jaden Blue, Phil Mafa) less effective or limited by injury.
  • Quote: “Javonte Williams gives you the most versatile of everything, then Blue if he can come along is your explosive back, and Phil Mafa is your power guy. You have the aspects you want; now it’s on the coaches.” – Isaiah Stanback (38:10)

Wide Receivers

(38:24 – 40:24)

• Grades: A (Walker), A- (Stanback, Yeomans), B+ (Rodriguez)
• Lamb and Pickens were both 1,000-yard receivers; Flournoy emerged as a strong #3. Minor dings for injuries, drops, and inconsistent depth contributors.
  • Quote: “You keep that three [Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy], I’m good with whatever else happens in that room.” – Kyle Yeomans (40:13)

Tight Ends

(40:24 – 44:50)

• Grades: B- (Stanback), C (Walker), C- (Yeomans, Rodriguez)
• Jake Ferguson started hot but regressed; Schoonmaker and Brevin Spann-Ford improved but didn’t become consistent threats. Not enough big plays or receiving impact beyond Ferguson.
  • Quote: “Jake took a step back. The room got better. I think Schoonmaker made strides, Brevin made strides, but collectively not there yet.” – Isaiah Stanback (43:39)

Offensive Line

(44:50 – 46:05)

• Grades: C-/D (consensus)
• Anchored by Tyler Smith, but plagued by tackle injuries and instability. Booker and Tyron Smith drew praise, but tackle play, especially by Nate Thomas, was a liability.
  • Quote: “Your offensive tackles were a wreck. You failed there. Overall, it’s a D because some carry, but not enough to get to a C.” – Josh Rodriguez (45:02)

3. Defensive Coordinator Candidates

(50:31 – 56:31)

• Six Interviewed/Requested:
  • Jonathan Gannon (former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC)
  • Aaron Whitecotton (current DL coach, Dallas)
  • Durante Jones (Vikings pass game coordinator)
  • Ephraim Banda (Browns safeties coach/Jim Schwartz tree)
  • Jim Leonhard (Broncos pass game coordinator; ex-NFL player)
  • Zach Orr (Ravens DC, North Texas native)
• Panel Shortlist:
  • Jim Leonhard is top choice for both Yeomans and Stanback due to his aggressive, teaching-focused style, track record as a player, youth, and overlap with Schottenheimer in New York.
  • Gannon is appealing as a “bend but don’t break” guy, but identity fit with Schottenheimer is an open question.
  • Jones (Vikings) is the third favorite.
  • Quote on fit:
    "Jonathan Gannon is a bend but don’t break guy…Shoddy [Schottenheimer] has to figure out what type of defense he wants opposite of him—aggressive turnover-seeking, or safe and sound." – Isaiah Stanback (55:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You are what your record says you are. You were 7-9-1 and you’re below .500.” – Kyle Yeomans on Schottenheimer grade (23:25)
• “If you keep that three [top WRs], I’m good with whatever else happens in that room.” – Kyle Yeomans (40:13)
• “Javonte Williams gives you the most versatile of everything…You have the aspects that you want; now it’s up to coaches.” – Isaiah Stanback (38:09)
• “Offensive tackles were a wreck—you failed there.” – Josh Rodriguez (45:02)
• “Jim Leonhard...aggressive defense, teaching-focused, played the game ten years undersized. I like young energy.” – Isaiah Stanback on top DC candidates (55:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:43 — Offseason transactions and future/reserve contract breakdown
• 11:06 — Donovan Azraku arrest news and panel reaction
• 13:51 — Coaching staff grades: Brian Schottenheimer
• 27:14 — Quarterback position/Narrative on Dak Prescott
• 32:02 — Running backs evaluation
• 38:24 — Wide receiver grades
• 40:24 — Tight end room grades
• 44:50 — Offensive line grades
• 50:31 — Defensive coordinator candidate rundown and analysis
• 55:00 — Philosophical discussion: "What kind of defense should the Cowboys run?"

Tone & Panel Dynamic

Light-hearted but direct; “barbershop meets film room.” Panelists don’t hold back on tough evaluations but keep it accessible and fun. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie—jokes about snitching on traffic stops, missed T-shirt tosses at basketball games, and playful jabs about grade “harshness”—but when evaluating the Cowboys, the conversation is blunt about both strengths and serious offseason concerns.

For Next Episode

The panel promises a full defensive report card next time, plus additional analysis as coordinator interviews wrap up.

Summary by: [Expert Podcast Summarizer—AI]
Talkin’ Cowboys: “Degree of Difficulty” (January 13, 2026)