Cowboys' Smith: Super Bowl still the expectation

OXNARD, California -- Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith is not shy about what he expects in 2025 as training camp begins this week.

"Super Bowl champions," Smith said as the team arrived at the StayBridge Suites in Oxnard, California following their flight from Dallas. "That's always the expectations."

The Cowboys have not played in a Super Bowl since 1995. Nor have they made it to an NFC Championship Game in the last 30 years, the only team in the conference with such a drought with the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions making it each of the last two years. The Cowboys finished 7-10 last year and will have a rookie head coach in Brian Schottenheimer replacing Mike McCarthy.

"I think it's a realistic goal, yeah," Smith said.

Why?

"Because we can win a Super Bowl. Why not? Why can't we win?" he said. "Do you think it's unrealistic?"

Prior to 2024, the Cowboys finished 12-5 three straight seasons but lost to the San Francisco 49ers (twice) and Green Bay Packers in the postseason. The Cowboys traded for wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers to bolster the group alongside Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb. They added a number of free agents in linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn, defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. They acquired former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, a corner, from the Buffalo Bills as well.

They will also have a healthy quarterback in Dak Prescott, who missed nine games last year with a hamstring avulsion but cleared for full activities in camp. When Prescott has played most of a season, the Cowboys have made the playoffs in five of seven years.

"I think we built a great core on offense, the addition of George and all the other key pieces," Smith said. "I think drafting [guard Tyler] Booker [in the first round], he's going to be a helluva 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."

Perhaps the biggest key will be pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract and looking for an extension that will in all likelihood make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL. There has been no recent dialogue between the two sides. Parsons can take the team charter to California, but he does not have to officially report until Monday for the start of training camp.

He said during June's minicamp that he would attend camp but he did not indicate if he would practice. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones will hold his State of the Cowboys' news conference on Monday. Parsons' contract and the team's bid for a Super Bowl appearance will be at top of mind.