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5 Reasons Stephen A. Smith’s Love-Hate Obsession With The Dallas Cowboys Is More Intense Than Ever In 2025

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Stephen A. Smith’s relationship with the Dallas Cowboys is not merely a rivalry; it is a theatrical, multi-million dollar television phenomenon that drives conversation across the sports world. As of late December 2025, the ESPN star’s commentary on "America's Team" has never been more intense, or frankly, more contradictory, moving beyond simple criticism to a complex blend of genuine skepticism, performative outrage, and even a shocking, backhanded prediction of success. His latest hot takes—delivered with his signature fiery passion on shows like First Take—center on the team's perennial inability to translate regular-season dominance into postseason glory, focusing his laser-like attention on the key figures responsible for the franchise's direction.

The current narrative in 2025 is a fascinating tightrope walk for Smith. On one hand, he continues to declare the Cowboys' season "over" before the playoffs even begin, tearing into their defense and the leadership structure. On the other, he has recently floated a bold, almost unbelievable theory that the team possesses the talent to "silence the doubters" and that quarterback Dak Prescott is poised to be a top-two MVP candidate. This duality is the engine of his topical authority, ensuring that every word he utters about Jerry Jones's franchise instantly becomes a major talking point for Cowboys Nation and their legions of haters.

The Stephen A. Smith Dallas Cowboys Dossier: Key Figures and Latest 2025 Rants

Stephen A. Smith’s criticism is rarely broad; it is surgical, targeting specific players, coaches, and management. His 2025 commentary has heavily focused on the team’s biggest stars and decision-makers, creating a continuous loop of debate on ESPN platforms.

  • Dak Prescott (Quarterback): Smith's primary target. His 2025 criticism has centered not just on Prescott's postseason record, but on his leadership outside of the huddle. Smith "went off" on Prescott for his public silence during the months-long contract standoff with star defensive player Micah Parsons, calling it a failure of leadership. He also slammed Prescott for his unwavering support of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, suggesting it shows a lack of critical perspective.
  • Mike McCarthy (Head Coach): McCarthy's job security is a constant theme. Smith consistently argues that McCarthy is not the "right coach" for the Cowboys, citing his conservative play-calling and the team's recurring late-season collapses. He has explicitly stated that Prescott's performance holds the key to McCarthy's future, implying that a failure to reach the NFC Championship Game will surely result in the coach's firing.
  • Jerry Jones (Owner/GM): The ultimate source of Smith's ire. Smith has repeatedly lambasted Jones for his role as general manager, suggesting his meddling and financial decisions (particularly the massive contracts for key players) create a salary cap hell that prevents the team from making necessary roster moves. Smith's message to Jones is clear: "Your defense is what’s going to cost you," often referencing the owner's comments and questioning his priorities.
  • Micah Parsons (Defensive Star): Smith's take on Parsons is complex. While he acknowledges Parsons' generational talent, he has recently dropped a controversial "hot take" suggesting that Parsons is not being used correctly or that his focus is sometimes misdirected, linking it back to the team's overall defensive struggles that Smith and fans have been "preaching for months."

The 5 Pillars of Stephen A.’s 2025 Cowboys Obsession

The intensity of Stephen A. Smith's focus on the Dallas Cowboys this year can be broken down into five distinct, and highly polarizing, themes that drive his daily sports commentary.

1. The Shocking, Contradictory Playoff Prediction

The most unique and recent twist in the Stephen A. Smith narrative is his bold, almost out-of-character prediction for the 2025 season. After years of predicting their demise, Smith recently stated, "Are you sitting down? ... The Dallas Cowboys are going to the playoffs." He doubled down by claiming Dak Prescott is a top-two MVP candidate. This is not a sign of newfound affection, but rather a strategic media move. By setting the bar impossibly high—MVP for Dak and a deep playoff run—Smith ensures that any result short of a Super Bowl appearance will be ammunition for his inevitable, and even more furious, post-season rant. This prediction is a trap, designed to maximize his outrage later.

2. The "Puff More Than They Pass" Rant and Locker Room Culture

In one of his most sensational and controversial takes of 2025, Stephen A. Smith went on a "small rant" suggesting the Cowboys "Puff More Than They Pass," implying a pervasive issue with recreational drug use within the locker room. This comment went viral instantly, shifting the conversation from on-field performance to the team's overall culture and discipline. Smith used this highly speculative claim to tie into his long-standing belief that the Cowboys lack the necessary focus, professionalism, and seriousness required of a championship-caliber team. For Smith, this is evidence that the "distractions" inherent to playing for the Cowboys under Jerry Jones ultimately derail their potential.

3. The Dak Prescott Contract and Roster Depth Crisis

A recurring economic theme in Smith's analysis is the crippling effect of Dak Prescott's "mammoth contract" on the team's ability to build a complete roster. Smith argues that the sheer size of the quarterback's deal, especially with his free agency looming in 2025, forces the Cowboys to make difficult, often detrimental, decisions regarding other key players like Parsons. This financial critique allows Smith to attack the entire operational structure of the franchise, suggesting that the team sacrifices necessary defensive and offensive line depth—the true hallmarks of a Super Bowl contender—to pay a quarterback who has yet to deliver a conference championship.

4. The Unwavering "Love of the Hate" Phenomenon

Stephen A. Smith has finally and explicitly admitted the core of his schtick: "I love it when Dallas Cowboys" lose. This admission is crucial for understanding his topical authority. He doesn't just critique them; he actively roots against them, and this transparent bias is what makes his commentary so compelling to both Cowboys fans and haters alike. His visceral, giddy reactions to Cowboys' losses—such as his giddiness after a troll from the Carolina Panthers—are not just for show; they are a calculated media strategy that feeds the sports news cycle. The "hate" is a performance that guarantees maximum viewership and engagement, making the Cowboys his most valuable on-air commodity.

5. The Eternal Search for the "Cowboys Way"

At the heart of Smith's decades-long criticism is the belief that the Cowboys have lost their identity. He constantly compares the current team to the legendary Super Bowl-winning squads of the 1990s, featuring entities like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. For Stephen A., the current Cowboys lack the "toughness," "discipline," and "killer instinct" of those teams. He sees the franchise as perpetually "soft" and unable to handle the pressure of being "America's Team." This historical context elevates his commentary from simple sports analysis to a critique of the franchise's soul, asking why a team with such a rich legacy and massive fanbase consistently falls short of its potential, especially in the most crucial moments of the NFL playoffs.

Topical Authority: Why Stephen A. Smith’s Rants Matter

Stephen A. Smith's commentary on the Dallas Cowboys is more than just noise; it is a major driver of the NFL media economy. His daily debates with co-hosts like Shannon Sharpe and Marcus Spears on First Take and Get Up are meticulously crafted to provoke a reaction from the passionate Cowboys fanbase. Whether he is praising the talent of CeeDee Lamb, questioning the defensive coordinator's scheme, or demanding accountability from the entire organization, his words set the agenda for countless sports radio shows and articles across the country. The sheer volume of LSI keywords and relevant entities he touches upon—from the NFC East race and the salary cap to specific player performance and coaching decisions—solidifies his position as the most prominent, if biased, voice covering the Dallas Cowboys year-round.

stephen a smith on dallas cowboys
stephen a smith on dallas cowboys

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