For the 3rd year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys finished the regular season 12-5 and flamed out in the playoffs before reaching the NFC Championship Game, which they have not been to since 1995.
Last season ended with a demoralizing 48-32 loss at home to the Green Bay Packers. After the disappointing loss, most expected owner Jerry Jones to clean house, starting with coach Mike McCarthy, but that did not happen. It should be noted, though, that they declined to extend the coach’s deal, which implies that things will have to improve in 2024.
When discussing the Cowboys, it all begins and ends with QB Dak Prescott. The scrutiny of his play continues to grow, as his playoff record fell to 2-5. He is entering the final year of his 4-year, $160 million contract. Prescott agreed to restructure his contract to lower his nearly $60 million salary cap figure for 2024 and create $4 million for Dallas under the cap. It does not look like an extension is forthcoming for Prescott, which means he’s on his way to free agency in 2025.
Dallas did little to nothing in free agency despite the owner saying that the Cowboys were going “all in” this offseason. While they were silent, the rest of the league picked apart their roster. Dallas let LT Tyron Smith, RB Tony Pollard, DE Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dante Fowler Jr., DT Neville Gallimore, CB Noah Igbinoghene, and DT Johnathan Hankins sign elsewhere. The Cowboys also lost defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who took the head coaching position with the division rival Washington Commanders. He took along highly sought after secondary coach Joe Witt to be his defensive coordinator.