For years, Stephen A. Smith has been the Dallas Cowboys' most vocal critic, rarely missing a chance to take a jab at America's Team. But in a stunning twist, the ESPN personality has placed the Cowboys among his top five NFL teams heading into the 2026 season.
On the latest edition of "Stephen's A-List," Smith ranked the Cowboys at No. 5, trailing only the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. The announcement, made as Week 1 approaches, left fans and even his co-hosts in disbelief.
"Surprised you didn't I!" Smith exclaimed. "The Dallas Cowboys… I said Jerry (Jones) you did your job. You got your defense set… and we know what you got offensively: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, (George) Pickens, Javonte Williams – you got a high-powered offense. You've got to score points to beat the Dallas Cowboys this year."
Smith, however, was quick to add a caveat: "I got to give the Dallas Cowboys love… for now. I didn't say a damn thing about January. This is September, okay? That's different. I got them top-five right now. They ain't top-four though."
The ranking is particularly eyebrow-raising given Smith's history with the Cowboys, but he insists it's based on the team's current roster. The Cowboys made headlines this offseason by trading star edge rusher Micah Parsons, a move that many analysts saw as a step backward. Yet Smith believes the additions on offense and the overall defensive setup make Dallas a formidable opponent.
Fans, however, aren't buying it. Social media erupted with theories that Smith is setting the Cowboys up for failure. One fan wrote, "Cowboys literally traded the most disruptive Edge Rusher in the NFC in Micah Parsons. He was the heart and soul of that team. Ain't no way they gon be better without him." Another added, "Stephen A has to put cowboys top 5 so that when they fail he can say they let him down! Mind you he said the 49ers are a better team and they're not in his top 5!"
Even some Cowboys fans see through the praise. "As a Cowboys fan, he's just doing this so he can say they had high expectations and failed. No one should have Dallas in their top 5 right now, he scammin," one supporter wrote.
If Smith's ranking is a calculated move, it's a clever one. If the Cowboys struggle, he can claim they let him down. If they succeed, he can tout his foresight. Either way, Smith positions himself as the story, a tactic that has defined much of his career, including his recent celebration of Ryan Clark's Netflix deal.
The Cowboys' season opener will be a test of Smith's faith. With a high-powered offense led by Prescott and Lamb, and a defense that, despite the Parsons trade, remains solid, Dallas has the pieces to compete. But as Smith himself noted, his rankings are "fluid," and the real test comes in January.
For now, Cowboys fans might want to enjoy the rare praise from one of their biggest detractors. But don't expect Stephen A. to be so generous come playoff time. And if you're looking for more on the team, check out the ongoing debate over cheerleader pay that's also stirred up fan outrage.
