When a team calls itself “America’s Team,” there’s a certain expectation that winning should be the priority. But for years, some former Dallas Cowboys players have hinted that the franchise is more about the show than the scoreboard.
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Wide receiver Cole Beasley once left for Buffalo and raved about how much better the Bills’ facilities were. Tight end Dalton Schultz departed for the Houston Texans and later compared the Cowboys’ headquarters, The Star, to a “zoo.” Now, as Super Bowl LIX approaches, another ex-Cowboy is adding his voice to the conversation.
Peyton Hendershot, who was traded from Dallas to the Kansas City Chiefs last August, didn’t set out to trash his old team. But during a media session ahead of the big game, he couldn’t ignore the contrast between his former and current organizations. When asked about the difference, he summed it up simply: in Kansas City, it’s about football. In Dallas, well… not so much.
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According to Hendershot, the Cowboys have a habit of prioritizing “extracurriculars” over football. That means things like autograph signings, promotional events, and media obligations often take center stage. While every NFL team has its share of these commitments , Hendershot noted that in Kansas City, the focus is tighter. The goal is clear: prepare, play, and win.
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This critique isn’t new. Former players have made similar observations, and Hendershot’s comments only add more weight to the theory that Dallas’ emphasis on branding might be hurting them on the field. When talking about last offseason, he even pointed to the drawn-out CeeDee Lamb contract situation, saying it was baffling how long it took the team to get it done-especially considering how important Lamb is to their offense.
Does this mean the Cowboys are doomed to remain more spectacle than contender? Not necessarily. But it does highlight an issue that keeps coming up: while other teams build rosters with winning in mind, Dallas sometimes seems more focused on keeping its image intact.
For now, Hendershot is gearing up for the biggest game of his life with a franchise that has a proven championship formula. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will be watching from home-again. Maybe it’s time for them to rethink their priorities.
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