Dallas Cowboys' Offseason Developments: E.J. Smith and Super Bowl Aspirations

The Dallas Cowboys recently hosted an invite-only workout for local college players at The Star, featuring E.J. Smith, the son of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. E.J. Smith, who had a notable high school career at Jesuit in Dallas and played at Stanford before finishing at Texas A&M, impressed Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer with his skills, particularly as a powerful short-yardage runner. Schottenheimer emphasized the importance of family within the organization, stating, "You know me, man, I'm family. I'm all family."

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The Cowboys utilize their "Dallas Day" workout to attract top local talent, allowing them to evaluate players from prominent colleges such as LSU and Miami. This year, the Cowboys expanded their pool of prospects beyond the standard 30 national visitors, with Schottenheimer noting, "We're like top 45, top 48... because of the fact that we've got that location."

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Despite the Cowboys' storied history, AT&T Stadium has only hosted one Super Bowl since its opening in 2009. Executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the challenges posed by newer stadiums, such as SoFi Stadium and Allegiant Stadium, which have secured multiple Super Bowl bids. Jones remarked, "When you build a new stadium, a part of that is, in many cases, a Super Bowl is awarded."

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Although AT&T Stadium will host nine World Cup matches this summer and the Final Four in 2030, the Cowboys have not made a bid for a Super Bowl since 2011. Jones expressed confidence in the stadium's capabilities, stating, "We certainly feel that we can do one. We'll step up there at the right times."

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As the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season, they have signed quarterback Sam Howell to compete with Joe Milton III for the backup position behind Dak Prescott. Schottenheimer highlighted Howell's experience, noting, "Sam started like 20-something games in this league, which is great." The competition aims to bolster the team's quarterback depth, with Schottenheimer emphasizing the importance of developing talent within their system.

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The Cowboys are also focusing on their defense in the upcoming draft, where they hold picks Nos. 12 and 20. Schottenheimer indicated that they are prepared to select the best player available, regardless of position, stating, "If the best player on the board is clearly an offensive player, we'll certainly discuss that."

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Stephen Jones discussed the complexities of hosting a Super Bowl, mentioning the "nuances and responsibilities" involved. He reiterated the Cowboys' readiness to host the event under the right conditions, emphasizing the importance of timing and preparation.

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While the Cowboys remain optimistic about their future prospects, some critics point to the team's historical performance and the challenges posed by newer stadiums as factors that may hinder their chances of hosting another Super Bowl. The lack of recent bids has raised questions about the stadium's appeal compared to its competitors.

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• "You know me, man, I'm family. I'm all family." — Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Coach

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• "When you build a new stadium, a part of that is, in many cases, a Super Bowl is awarded." — Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President

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• "If the best player on the board is clearly an offensive player, we'll certainly discuss that." — Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Coach

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