Tyler Smith says Cowboys Super Bowl win is an 'expectation'
Smith insisted the Cowboys winning a championship for the first time since Super Bowl 30 - which was played in 1996 to put a bow on the 1995 NFL season - is "a realistic goal." Why?
"Because we can win a Super Bowl. Why not? Why can't we win?" he said. "Do you think it's unrealistic?"
To Smith's point, the Cowboys made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons before their 7-10 finish last season. They failed to advance past the divisional round in any of those appearances but posted a 12-5 regular-season record each campaign.
T.J. WATT CONTRACT: Why Micah Parsons is winner after Steelers star signs
Meanwhile, Dallas' 2024 season was derailed by a midseason five-game losing streak, during which starting quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.
Prescott said ahead of training camp he is fully recovered from that injury. His presence should provide the Cowboys with more stability at quarterback after they leaned on Cooper Rush and Trey Lance to close the 2024 campaign.
Smith also believes the additions of wide receiver George Pickens and first-round guard Tyler Booker will bolster an already strong Dallas offense.
"I think we built a great core on offense; the addition of George and all the other key pieces," Smith said. "I think drafting Booker, he's going to be a hell of a guy just to bolster the front line. And we have many guys across the board, but those are some of the guys who are the key pieces on what we do this year."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Commanders linebacker Von Miller still confident in pass rushing
July 25 - Eight-time All-Pro linebacker and new Washington Commander Von Miller is 36 years old and hasn't notched double-digit sacks since 2018. Yet his confidence in his passing ability is unwavering. "I can still roll out of bed at 36 years old with my shoes on and rush the passer," Miller said Thursday. "I can do that right when I wake up fresh out of sleep. I love rushing the passer." Miller joined a Washington squad in need of pass rushers on a one-year, $6.1 million contract. The Commanders notched 43 sacks last year, 11th-most in the league, but lost their sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5) in free agency. Once one of the NFL's most feared defenders and an every-down player, Miller has evolved into a situational pass rusher; he played only 25.27 percent of Buffalo's defensive snaps last season. Washington will especially lean on its younger rotational pass rush pieces, given that they were one of the worst run defenses in the league last season and need defensive ends who can set the edge. The surefire Hall of Famer has won two Super Bowls -- in 2015 with the Denver Broncos and 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams. After three years with a Buffalo Bills squad that couldn't make it over the hump, he signed with Washington to contend for another. The Commanders made a surprise trip to the NFC championship game last year, the franchise's first since 1991. They currently hold the seventh-best Super Bowl odds ahead of next season. "You can't just leave Josh Allen for anywhere," Miller said. "You can't go from the AFC championship and go anywhere. ... This team is all about winning. I'm all about winning. That's why I'm here is to win." --Field Level Media
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aaron Rodgers left red-faced after humiliating start to Steelers training camp
Aaron Rodgers threw an interception with his very first pass of training camp with the Steelers. The legendary quarterback, 41, finally joined Pittsburgh in June - signing a one-year, $13.65m deal after months of uncertainty over his NFL future. Rodgers is looking to rediscover his best after a dreadful couple of years with the New York Jets. But there were groans from the crowd who turned up to the Steelers' opening practice of training camp on Thursday after Rodgers' first pass was picked off by linebacker Patrick Queen. 'It's good to get that out the way,' Rodgers later said with a grin. The Steelers players are staying in dorms at St. Vincent College as they begin preparations for the 2025 season. Rodgers will return to MetLife Stadium to face the Jets in week one and on Thursday he downplayed any concerns over his early error. Aaron Rodgers on his first pass to DK Metcalf getting intercepted ⬇️ (via @steelers and @SteelersWRobbie) — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) July 24, 2025 'Anybody that's watched me practice over the years, you like to try certain throws at certain times, and anybody that's watched me in the games knows I've been pretty stellar taking care of the football over the years,' the quarterback said. 'It's going to be a good challenge for me throwing in this heat every single day. I look forward to it, but I'm going to throw some picks, but I'm going to throw some touchdowns, too.' The four-time MVP failed to end New York's long playoff drought over two miserable seasons that began with a ruptured Achilles tendon. But earlier this week, Steelers GM Omar Khan said he is building a team to win the Super Bowl and Rodgers believes Pittsburgh can contend for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. 'I think most of the 32 teams would probably say something to that accord at this time of the year, but I think that there's really only six to eight that really have a legitimate chance,' Rodgers said. 'Sometimes, it's 10 to 12 and there's teams that surprise you, but I would say on paper, we're probably one of those 10 to 12.' The Steelers last won the Super Bowl in February 2009.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
English footy star reveals how he almost LOST his leg after a spider bite: 'It was a real welcome to Australia'
John Bateman has faced some of the toughest assignments getting around on the footy field, but nothing could prepare him for Australia's deadly wildlife - that almost cost him his leg. The incident happened in Perth when the Cowboys were scheduled to play the South Sydney Rabbitohs on April 12 and Bateman was a late scratching. Now it can be revealed that his absence from the team was because of a spider bite that was so severe, the English international nearly lost his leg. 'I think it [the spider] was on the field, and it bit me on my leg. I wasn't too sure what it was, I've never had to worry about that before,' Bateman told 'I had a rough sleep on Wednesday night, and I literally got rushed to hospital on Thursday morning. 'It was pretty bad. I was just hot and cold, and my leg from above my knee to beneath my ankle went all red, so I was pretty worried. 'But when I got into the hospital, I just said to the doctor, 'just make sure I'm ready for the game on Saturday'. 'Then on the Friday morning he came back in, because they had taken bloods, and he said, 'mate, there is no chance of you playing, we're just looking to save your leg'.' News quickly got back to the UK where his family, including his daughter Millie, still resides. 'They were just as shocked as I was, but I was in the best place and it's a credit to Perth Hospital,' he said. 'I got away in one piece, but it was a real 'welcome to Australia,' put it that way.' Bateman began his NRL career in Australia with the Canberra Raiders in 2019, quickly becoming a fan favourite. Known for his aggressive defence and high work rate, he played a key role in Canberra's run to the 2019 NRL Grand Final. After two standout seasons, he returned to the UK in 2021 to rejoin Wigan, citing a desire to be closer to family. Bateman remained a dominant force in the Super League before seeking another opportunity in the NRL. In 2023, he signed with the Wests Tigers, but struggled to find consistency in a struggling side. Despite his strong individual efforts, the Tigers failed to climb the ladder, and Bateman's future became uncertain. By the end of the 2024 season, rumours swirled about a potential move back to Queensland. The North Queensland Cowboys secured his signature, aiming to bolster their forward pack with his experience. Bateman spoke about the dramatic change in conditions from Bradford to tropical north Queensland and how he had to adapt - including the deadly wildlife. 'I got there on January 2 and for a lad from the north of England it was a lot different to where I'm from,' he said. 'It's not really the sun, it's more the humidity and when you're running you just get fatigued quick. It's really tough, it zaps the energy out of you and I think it's so hard to actually get fit in the heat. 'When you get to a certain point, you can normally push through it anywhere else in the world, but because of the humidity it just literally takes it all out of you and you can't continue running. 'I'm sure every other player that's played up in Townsville will vouch for that. You've just got to get used to it.' Bateman also backed under-fire coach Todd Payten, who has come under scrutiny as the Cowboys crashed out of finals contention despite boasting a strong roster including a host of internationals and State of Origin representatives. 'Todd is pretty straight down the line like some of the other coaches I've had - Shaun Wane, Wayne Bennett, and Ricky Stuart. He tells you how it is so you know where you stand and I like that,' Bateman said.
