Cowboys guard Tyler Smith says the team has ‘Super Bowl’ expectations this season

Cowboys guard Tyler Smith has set a high bar for his team this season. The 22-year-old offensive lineman expressed his belief that the Dallas Cowboys not only have the potential to compete for a Super Bowl but should be expected to do so. Given the team’s long history and star-studded roster, this bold statement isn’t entirely surprising. However, it does raise the question: Are the Cowboys really ready to meet these lofty expectations, or is Smith’s declaration simply a product of youthful optimism?
Tyler Smith is not shy about his goals. The offensive lineman, drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has become one of the cornerstones of a revamped offensive line. His journey has already been an interesting one. He came into the league with a reputation for his raw strength, aggressive play, and tenacity. Yet, like any rookie, there were challenges along the way, especially in the face of a demanding NFL defense. In his first season, Smith showed flashes of brilliance but also had his share of growing pains.
Yet, 2023 saw a much more mature and composed version of Smith. Throughout the season, he demonstrated his ability to not only protect the quarterback but also to create lanes for running backs like Tony Pollard, helping make the Cowboys offense one of the more balanced in the league. Smith’s transition from a raw talent to a reliable fixture in the Cowboys’ offensive line is one of the most promising developments for the team this season.
Given the Cowboys’ deep roster, Smith’s comment about Super Bowl aspirations is rooted in a larger context. This isn’t a team that’s in the rebuilding phase, nor is it one that’s content with just making the playoffs. The Cowboys are a team with Super Bowl-caliber talent, and that expectation is a fair one when looking at the names on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Cowboys have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in Dak Prescott. Though Prescott has faced criticism for his occasional inconsistency in big games, he remains an incredibly talented signal-caller with the ability to lead a high-powered offense. The addition of Brandin Cooks in the receiving corps alongside CeeDee Lamb and the ever-reliable Michael Gallup gives the Cowboys one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Add in a potent running back in Tony Pollard, who has proved he can carry the load, and the Cowboys have the offensive weapons necessary to go deep into the playoffs.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys are just as loaded. With stars like Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence leading the way, Dallas’ defense has been one of the most feared units in the league. Parsons, in particular, has emerged as one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL, capable of disrupting offenses in multiple ways. With a defense that can stifle opposing teams and create turnovers, the Cowboys have all the pieces needed to make a serious run at a Super Bowl.
Despite all this talent, the Cowboys have fallen short in recent seasons. The team has had its fair share of playoff disappointments, with many fans and analysts pointing to missed opportunities as a sign that the Cowboys are always on the cusp but never quite get over the hump. Smith’s declaration, therefore, seems to be both an expression of confidence and a call to action. It’s one thing to have talent, but it’s another to put it all together when the pressure is on.
One of the key challenges for the Cowboys in their quest for a Super Bowl is the consistency of their quarterback play. Dak Prescott has shown that he can put up big numbers in the regular season, but his postseason performances have been underwhelming at times. For the Cowboys to meet their Super Bowl expectations, Prescott will need to rise to the occasion in January, something that has eluded him in the past. However, Prescott is well aware of the weight on his shoulders, and he has often spoken about his desire to lead the Cowboys to the promised land.
The other variable in the Cowboys’ equation is head coach Mike McCarthy. Since taking over as head coach in 2020, McCarthy has had a mixed tenure in Dallas. He’s led the team to the playoffs, but some question whether he is the right coach to get the Cowboys over the final hurdle and to the Super Bowl. In many ways, McCarthy’s coaching philosophy has been both an asset and a liability. On one hand, he’s brought stability and a strong offensive mind to the Cowboys. On the other, some feel his decision-making, especially in crunch time, has been questionable.
McCarthy’s ability to guide this team through the postseason will be one of the defining factors in whether or not the Cowboys can truly live up to their Super Bowl aspirations. There is no doubt that the Cowboys have the talent to compete, but execution is key, and that starts with the head coach. McCarthy will need to prove that he can make the right decisions in high-pressure situations, whether it’s managing the clock, calling the right plays, or motivating his team during critical moments.
While Tyler Smith’s confidence in his team is commendable, it also serves as a reminder that expectations are sky-high in Dallas. The Cowboys are no strangers to high expectations. For years, the franchise has been under a microscope, with fans, analysts, and media scrutinizing every move. The pressure is always there, but Smith and his teammates seem to thrive on it. They know that anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will likely be seen as a disappointment.
The good news for the Cowboys is that they aren’t entering this season with the same questions that have plagued them in previous years. In past seasons, there were concerns about the offensive line’s ability to protect Prescott, the defense’s ability to stop high-powered offenses, and the coaching staff’s ability to adjust in key moments. Heading into 2025, those concerns are minimized. The offensive line, anchored by players like Smith, is now one of the most formidable in the NFL. The defense, led by Parsons and Diggs, has established itself as a game-changing unit. And while McCarthy still has plenty to prove, the team seems to be in a good place.
However, there’s still a sense of caution that surrounds the Cowboys, and rightfully so. It’s easy to get excited in the offseason and make bold predictions, but the real test comes when the lights shine brightest. The NFL is a league filled with surprises, and the path to a Super Bowl is never as clear-cut as it seems on paper. The Cowboys will face stiff competition in their division and conference, with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs all standing in their way.
What makes Smith’s Super Bowl proclamation intriguing, though, is that it’s not just about talent. It’s about belief. It’s about having a mindset that you can win it all before you even step onto the field. That kind of confidence can be contagious. If Smith’s words resonate throughout the locker room, it could be the spark the Cowboys need to finally break through and end their championship drought.
Smith’s confidence, however, is tempered by a sense of realism. In an interview, he acknowledged that while the Cowboys have all the pieces, they still need to put it all together. It’s not just about individual talent but about the collective effort to play as a team. Football is a team sport, and as good as a player like Micah Parsons is, it’s the cohesion of the entire unit that will ultimately determine whether or not the Cowboys can live up to their Super Bowl aspirations.
One thing that could be key for Dallas is the team’s ability to stay healthy throughout the season. Injuries have been a consistent issue for the Cowboys in recent years, with key players missing significant time. If the Cowboys are to make a deep run, they will need to stay healthy, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary. Injuries to key players in those areas could derail their Super Bowl dreams before they even get started.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to watch how Tyler Smith’s bold statement is reflected in the team’s performance. If the Cowboys live up to their potential and stay focused, they could very well be in the mix for a Super Bowl berth. But with that potential comes pressure. Pressure to perform, to win when it matters most, and to prove that they are worthy of the high expectations placed on them.
Tyler Smith’s words are a reminder that football is about more than just physical talent. It’s about mindset. It’s about believing in yourself and your team even when the road ahead looks challenging. The Cowboys are ready to embrace those expectations. Now, it’s time for them to prove that they can meet them.