HOFer Emmitt Smith reveals true feelings on Cowboys' trajectory after Dak Prescott-led team's disastrous season

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith has never been shy of expressing his opinion on his beloved Dallas Cowboys. Smith played 13 years with the "Lone Star," becoming one of the best players in franchise history while collecting Super Bowls in the 90s.

Thirty years after their most recent NFC championship game appearance, the Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. They couldn't keep up with the Philadelphia Eagles (10-5), and will have to wait until next season to challenge again for the Super Bowl.

During the 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders, Emmitt Smith expressed his excitement over the future of the team. He didn't mince words when discussing the team's state on the Netflix broadcast.

"For the first time in a long time, for me, I feel like we're heading in the right direction," Smith said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.

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The Cowboys improved to 7-8-1 ahead of the season finale against the New York Giants. Dak Prescott went 19 of 37 for 307 yards and two touchdowns. KaVontae Turpin caught one pass for 86 yards and a touchdown to help the team secure a win over their weakened archrivals. Emmitt Smith's opinion has changed in the last month, as he was strikingly critical of the Cowboys in November.

Emmitt Smith called out Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus in November

Emmitt Smith didn't hold back when assessing Matt Eberflus' performance as the team's defensive coordinator. The three-time Super Bowl champion noted that the defense hadn't played at its best with Eberflus.

"Our defense does not look anything like our previous two- or three-years-ago defense," Smith said. "Completely different."

He added that beyond the players, it looked like the coaching staff didn't know what they were doing.

"Man, do we look like we are completely lost," the Hall of Famer offered. "I am befuddled at all of the things that are going wrong on the defensive side of the ball. We look very basic and very fundamental. And very amateurish, if you will. Nothing sexy about it. And still the mistakes are being made, which is to me is a sign of poor coaching, defensively."

The Cowboys are on the right track to compete again, and Smith is excited to see what's next. They added defensive tackle Quinnen Williams ahead of the trade deadline, which makes them dream ahead of 2026.

Edited by Orlando Silva