
We are so close to actual football action.
The passage of time between the Dallas Cowboys offseason and the start of training camp is nearly over, with the team and their many new players and coaches set to practice on July 22nd. How fans pass this time has come up at various times leading up to this start to the real countdown for the 2025 season. There weren’t exactly a lot of moments from the 2024 Cowboys season that make us fans want to go back and relive them in hopes of building excitement for the new year. The NBA and NHL playoffs have been over for some time, and baseball is about to head into it’s All-Star Break.
There is one other major world sporting event that runs concurrent to this final stretch before football though, and while it may not get on the radar of most American fans who still consider this time a dead zone for sports in general, its popularity globally is unquestioned. Currently, the Tour de France is rolling around the streets, hills, and mountains of France for the 112th time in it’s rich history. The Tour will conclude in Paris on Sunday, July 27th, doing more than just taking fans like myself who are interested up to the start of Cowboys training camp.
Throughout the course of the Tour, four classification jerseys are awarded on a daily basis. The most famous, prestigious, and important is naturally the yellow jersey, given to the rider in the overall race lead, and the eventual winner in Paris. There is also a green jersey given to the points leader, with different opportunities to gain points laid out throughout each stage. Mountain climbing points are also awarded throughout stages that feature more uphill riding, with the leader of that classification rocking the always stylish red and white polka dot jersey. A white jersey is given to the race’s overall best “young” rider, the criteria of which has changed throughout the years, but essentially this jersey is to highlight potential future winners that are up and coming as Tour de France contenders.
One other much smaller podium award is given out each day, a red number to the most aggressive rider of the stage. Any rider that shows a knack for going to the front of the race, not being afraid to take a risk, or goes above and beyond for their team can be recognized here, and then takes to the start of the next day’s race with their jersey number in red instead of white.
As it relates to the Cowboys, we’ve decided to have a little fun and pick a player that best embodies the spirit of each jersey of the Tour de France. A very important thing to keep in mind here – this is not a list based on which players, body type, age, and skills considered, would actually be best at winning any of these jerseys on the bike. Fans can go to Green Bay Packers training camp for more about what professional football players look like on two wheels. This is about how they match the general vibe around each competition. Let’s get out on the course!
Green Points Jersey – WR CeeDee Lamb

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The race for the green jersey at the Tour can sometimes be more interesting and lively than the one for yellow. While it typically favors sprinters, the fast men that can cross the finish line first in a mad dash at the end of flat road stages, there are points up for grabs in moderately hilly stages too. Riders that can conquer both with the craftiness and nose for the front of a race can dominate this competition. Slovenia’s Peter Sagan was exactly this type of rider, and above all else he was an entertainer on the bike, known for pulling off wheelies in front of fans and giving cheesy interview quotes, and because of that Sagan has the record for most green jerseys of all time at seven. The Cowboys comparison for this competition is CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb’s speed is certainly a trait the Cowboys try to put to use as much as possible, but a lot is put on his shoulders to carry the offense as a whole, much like cycling sprinters must deliver in the end. Dallas has not surrounded their best wide receiver with complementary speed and playmaking ability at all times, meaning Lamb has also had to be crafty and a jack of all trades like points competition winners.
Lamb being a player capable of running the ball, creating yards after the catch in the short passing game, scoring in the red zone, creating separation deep, and making contested catches, makes him the type of overall player that fits the identity of the green jersey to a tee. While he’s established these things under two different play-callers so far in his career, there is still hope he can reach new heights going to a third with head coach Brian Schottenheimer now tasked with finding new ways to get the ball to Lamb. He will also having a new running mate that matches his skillset perhaps more closely than any receiver Lamb has played with before in George Pickens. This duo could score a lot of green jersey points, which Cowboys fans will be hoping turn into real points on Sundays very soon!

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Polka Dot Mountain Jersey – LG Tyler Smith
When we said that this list would be more about the competition of the jersey, and not Cowboys players actually vying for them, this is the best example by a mile (or kilometer in the spirit of the Tour). Although, the thought of picturing a big offensive lineman riding a bike up the steepest mountains in Europe while wearing red and white polka dots is quite amusing!
The polka dot jersey is all about conquering mountains and ascending, so here it goes to an ascending player that’s one of the best at his position in the NFL. Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith could be in store for his best season yet, as Dallas has recommitted to the run game with the horses around Smith up front to get back to the physical game they desire. A former first-round pick as a collegiate left tackle that had to start his career with the Cowboys at left tackle, Smith has now become their latest success story in changing positions to guard and dominating. The fact he will be flanked by last year’s first-round pick Tyler Guyton looking to take another step, Cooper Beebe at center looking to do the same after a strong rookie campaign, and latest first-round pick Tyler Booker as a similarly nasty run blocker at right guard is the perfect formula for Smith to help the Cowboys reach the mountaintop of having the best offensive line in football again.

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Tyler Smith is at his absolute best blocking on the move and getting downhill to seek out second- and third-level defenders. Although this is described as going downhill in football, it compares nicely to going uphill ahead of the race in cycling. The polka dot jersey can be a bit confusing at times, because to win the overall grand prize of the yellow jersey, a rider must also be highly capable in the mountains. Having a separate competition to name a “best” climber leaves some cycling fans questioning the legitimacy of this jersey, but like the green jersey it rewards those not being afraid to attack mountains on their own and ride in front, sometimes without help.
The Cowboys have seen Smith develop into a leader of this offensive line, and now have the help around him to support his campaign for the polka dot jersey going into year four. France’s Richard Virenque has the most mountain jerseys of all time with seven, winning his first in 1994 and last in 2004.

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White Young Rider Jersey – TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
The white jersey competition at the Tour is a little bit less fierce and sought after than all of the others. The criteria for it has changed at different times, but currently the only riders eligible are those younger than 26 years old. It is not a competition open to everyone.
Among the riders within the age rules, this jersey is handed out exactly like the overall race leader’s yellow jersey. The best overall time through the compilation of each day’s race is sorted out only among the young riders, and the leader gets to perhaps cool off in the hot July summers in France with an all white jersey.
The Cowboys currently have 41 players under the age requirement here, and picking out second year undrafted tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford from this bunch may come as a surprise. He certainly may not be the best player of this bunch, but based on what we have gathered this offseason in clues and hints about the Schottenheimer offense, he is one in position for a leap in his overall role. Used primarily as a blocking tight end as a rookie, Spann-Ford is looking to be seen as more of a receiving threat and potential passing game complement to Jake Ferguson, with this dual role earning him the white jersey.
How much the Cowboys are actually planning on using multiple tight end sets that can take full advantage of not only Ferguson and Spann-Ford but Luke Schoonmaker as well remains to be seen, at least until some full team drills in Oxnard. A big determining factor here will also be what formations prove best to run the ball out of, and who will be doing that running out of the backfield. Spann-Ford figures to have his nose involved in all of these decisions as a player young enough and still with a chip on his shoulder after going undrafted to be ready for anything that is asked of him. He has already caught the eye of the Cowboys new coaching staff, and is a name for any fans getting ready to tune in for training camp that perhaps didn’t follow OTAs or minicamp closely to quickly get familiar with!

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Yellow Leaders Jersey – QB Dak Prescott
The jersey that rules all jerseys, going to the position that rules all the others in the NFL. There simply is no other choice to pull on the vaunted “maillot jaune” or yellow jersey for the Cowboys than Dak Prescott, making his return from injury in 2025. He is the highest paid player at his position in the league. He is the focal point of so much discussion around the entire league. He is an unquestionable leader for the Dallas Cowboys.
The story of every single day at the Tour de France all comes together through the lens of the yellow jersey. Nothing else can fully be put into context without understanding what is happening in the race for yellow, and who will wear yellow on the top step of the podium after 21 days of racing. For the team that holds the yellow jersey, protecting it is of upmost importance, much like the Cowboys will try to do for Prescott with the resources they’ve reinvested on the offensive line. Yellow jersey winners must also have the ability to handle things on their own, thrive in chaos, and “make plays” that few others can. At his best, Prescott has done all of these things.

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There are an infinite amount of ways to describe Dak Prescott’s role with the Cowboys, all of which are met with opposition that many other Cowboys fans find unfair. By far the most important in this Tour themed context is what happens to the Cowboys when he is not on the field, something they just experienced a year ago. Teams not vying for the yellow jersey in the Tour can still have a successful race by winning individual stages or other recognitions, but those in contention for the ultimate prize need their leader. The Cowboys need Dak Prescott as the straw that stirs the drink. The last time he was available for a full season, he played at a near MVP level, and will be looking to remind everyone of just that.
Talented offenses around Prescott have come and gone without the Cowboys reaching the conference championship game of course, and just like the yellow jersey competition has favored younger and younger riders, the game of football waits for nobody. The opportunity for Prescott to make the most of Lamb and Pickens together in year one is right in front of him, a quarterback that shouldn’t have to look far for other equally motivated teammates that were apart of such a down year in 2024. These are the right ingredients for a yellow jersey, but it’s up to Prescott to put it all together and avoid all the possible pitfalls of a 17 game season, just like riders must navigate three straight weeks of racing in France.
Four riders are officially tied at the top with five all time yellow jersey wins. They are France’s Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgium’s Eddy Merckx, and Spain’s Miguel Indurain. Texas native and former American cyclist Lance Armstrong did of course controversially win the yellow jersey seven times, none of which are still officially recognized by the race.

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Red Most Combative Jersey Number – LB Micah Parsons
This classification is not actually awarded a jersey at all, but it is still a way for riders making a difference in the race to be recognized. The most combative rider is given out on a daily basis, and also overall at the end of the race.

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From start to finish a season ago, despite everything negative happening around him, Micah Parsons was always combative. He remained one of the few reasons to always tune in on a weekly basis. Parsons did miss four games from weeks five to eight, but ended the season in a meaningless game against the Commanders with a season high two and a half sacks. He never gave up for a defense that was down to backups and third-stringers at multiple other positions all year. He dealt with yet another defensive coordinator transition from Dan Quinn, who had a very public strong relationship with Parsons, to embracing Mike Zimmer. Now, Parsons will have to do the same yet again going from Zimmer to Matt Eberflus, but given his talent level there is little question he’ll still perform. In fact, Eberflus’ expertise at the linebacker position and the way Dallas has brought in new players like Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray along with second-year ascending player Marist Liufau could offer hope that some of the best is right around the corner for Parsons. Parsons is also reunited with Dante Fowler Jr. in pass rush support, and will have Sam Williams coming back from ACL and MCL surgery to rush opposite him as well after missing all of last year.
Having this support for Parsons is great, but the greatest thing is that he’s proven it doesn’t matter and he is still the cream of the crop when it comes to the Cowboys defense. He is the one that keeps opposing offensive coordinators awake at night.
Whatever the stakes are between the lines, Micah Parsons is always pushing for it with full aggressiveness and combativeness, the likes of which would earn him a red number in the Tour. He also sits near the top of the list of Cowboys players looking to be rewarded in these efforts with elusive playoff success, much like our yellow jersey pick Dak Prescott.