With Dak Prescott formally out for the rest of the season, the probabilities of a turnaround on the Cowboys’ half are bleak. Sitting at 3-6 on the yr, Dallas’ struggles with him within the lineup have left the aim of a playoff berth a moderately tough one for his alternative(s) beneath heart to attain.
Given the Cowboys’ distance from competition within the NFC East and the unlikeliness of a wild-card berth, consideration has for a lot of shifted to the approaching offseason. Like each different staff, the spring would require various important selections on Dallas’ half as proprietor and common supervisor Jerry Jones makes an attempt to maintain all three members of the Prescott-CeeDee Lamb–Micah Parsons trio intact. As 2024 has illustrated, although, adjustments at various positions will probably be wanted for a return to postseason competition to be attainable.
An examination of Dallas’ wage cap and free-agency state of affairs reveals the variety of key contributors who will want a brand new deal to stay with the franchise past 2024. Discovering the funds to retain them whereas additionally managing Prescott and Lamb’s monster extensions signed earlier than the beginning of this season and — after staff and participant put talks apart for the marketing campaign — work out a second Parsons contract will probably be central in figuring out the Cowboys’ path for years to return.
A pair of franchise pillars headline Dallas’ upcoming free agent class. DeMarcus Lawrence and Zack Martin have mixed for 13 Professional Bowls of their Cowboys careers, each of which date again to 2014. Every has performed out a number of contracts previous their respective rookie offers, and so they might be in line for at the very least a short-term accord this spring. It stays to be seen if that can come from Dallas or if an unprecedented departure on the open market turns into attainable.
Lawrence will probably be 33 in the beginning of the 2025 season, and age will clearly be an element considered on the Cowboys’ half concerning upcoming negotiations. The previous second-rounder beforehand performed on a five-year, $105M extension after receiving the franchise tag for the second time. That pact was adopted by the three-year, $40M one which is about to run out after this season.
The Boise State product was restricted to solely seven video games in 2021, however he remained absolutely wholesome for every of the next two seasons. Lawrence has been a starter when on the sector this yr, though a Lisfranc damage has stored him out of the lineup since September. With three sacks in 4 video games in 2024, a repeat of his early-year manufacturing would assist his market worth (one thing which, in fact, can be pushed by his play in opposition to the run). Making one other dedication to Lawrence would guarantee stability alongside the sting, however it will complicate the Cowboys’ different efforts with respect to Parsons particularly and their entrance seven generally.
Martin has additionally performed on a number of veteran contracts, together with a six-year, $84M pact. Final offseason, the longer term Corridor of Famer engaged in a coaching camp holdout and finally labored out a brand new settlement together with a increase and vital ensures. A primary-team All-Professional displaying (the seventh of his profession) justified that dedication on Dallas’ half, nevertheless it stays to be seen if one other one will probably be within the image.
In June, Martin mentioned retirement will probably be a consideration after the 2024 marketing campaign. He will probably be 34 in the beginning of subsequent yr ought to he elect to proceed enjoying, and expectations will nonetheless be excessive if that winds up being the case. If the 2010s All-Decade staff member have been to hold up his cleats, Dallas could be pressured to reset on the proper guard spot simply because the staff did this previous offseason after left deal with Tyron Smith departed. That place turned a right away draft precedence (with Tyler Guyton being chosen within the first spherical), and the identical could be true alongside the inside if Martin wanted to get replaced.
Given the character of their respective contracts, void years are current for each Lawrence and Martin. If neither have been to be retained — with no changes being made to their offers — they’d account for a useless cap cost of over $24M. That determine would kick in in the beginning of the 2025 league yr in March, so re-signing one or each of them earlier than that time would go a good distance in figuring out Dallas’ outlook for the remainder of the offseason.
A lot of different place teams may see notable turnover shortly within the Cowboys’ case. That features the quarterback spot; Prescott is beneath contract by means of 2028, however Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are each on monitor at no cost company. The veteran is at the moment set to complete the yr atop the depth chart, one thing which would depart Lance sidelined after that was additionally the case in 2023.
Dallas acquired Lance final offseason for a fourth-round decide, capital a lot decrease in worth than that which was invested in him by the 49ers. The previous No. 3 choice didn’t see the sector throughout his first yr along with his new staff as Prescott remained wholesome, however the door is now open to an audition interval. Lance may have upside remaining given his age (24) and lack of standard season begins (4), though little time stays within the yr for him to assist his market worth down the stretch. A cheap backup — from inside or outdoors the group — will probably be required on Dallas’ half.
The staff’s backfield figures to as soon as once more be a speaking level this spring. The Cowboys have relied on Rico Dowdle as their lead again for the primary time in his profession this season. The previous UDFA has already set a brand new private greatest with 374 dashing yards, and his 4.5 yards per try common suggests he might be efficient in a notable function past this season. Dowdle may make himself a precedence for the Cowboys’ entrance workplace this offseason even when a number of outdoors operating backs are focused.
Supplied that takes place by means of free company or (as was anticipated final spring) the draft, Ezekiel Elliott faces an unsure future. The previous dashing champion returned to Dallas this offseason, however his regression when it comes to effectivity has continued in 2024. Elliott has spoken with the group about his utilization this yr, and an inside disciplinary measure resulted in him remaining away from the staff from a highway sport earlier this month. A parting of the way might be mutually helpful and pave the way in which for brand new backfield choices.
A lot of function gamers are additionally on monitor to hit the market in March. That features Brandin Cooks, who scored eight touchdowns in his debut Cowboys marketing campaign however he’s at the moment on IR after being injured in September. Thirty-one in the beginning of subsequent season, Cooks is joined by Lamb as the one Dallas receiver not hooked up to a rookie contract. The commerce acquisition of Jonathan Mingo supplied the staff with one other younger wideout possibility on the books past the present season, one thing which may reduce the necessity to retain Cooks as a vertical possibility within the passing sport.
Within the entrance seven, the likes of linebacker Eric Kendricks together with defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston are on expiring offers. The Cowboys enter Week 11 ranked thirty first in opposition to the run, so various adjustments must be prioritized within the spring to enhance in that respect. Vital turnover may due to this fact be on faucet.
Looming over all of the retain/substitute selections Dallas is about to face is the truth that Parsons is in want of a long-term extension. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Yr’s monetary future was much less pressing than that of Prescott and Lamb this previous offseason, and he made it clear to the staff no in-season extension talks would happen in 2024. Banking on a soar within the cap ceiling and the potential for the sting market to see a spike pushed by new offers for the likes of Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, Parsons may very nicely try and change into the league’s highest-paid defender this spring.
That title at the moment belongs to Nick Bosa at an annual common worth of $34M. Parsons — whose resumé contains three Professional Bowls and a pair of first-team All-Professional nods — will probably be hard-pressed to proceed his pattern of incrementally upping his sack whole in 2024 given his missed time by means of damage. The 25-year-old’s leverage ought to however be ample to command an enormous second contract, one thing which may go away Dallas as one of many few groups with two big-ticket edge rush offers on the books concurrently (if Lawrence is re-signed).
March 2025 will mark Yr 2 of Lamb’s accord, which requires a $34.45M cap hit. A restructure could also be as a way to decrease that determine, however that can all-but definitely be crucial in Prescott’s case since he’s on monitor to rely for $89.9M in opposition to Dallas’ cap subsequent yr. Creating fast area will probably be key in producing flexibility for the 2025 offseason, one which figures to be moderately busy for the Cowboys.
As issues stand, Dallas, a staff with solely 39 gamers beneath contract for subsequent yr, is about to have roughly $9M in efficient 2025 cap area (h/t Over the Cap). That quantity will change significantly as the brand new league yr approaches and the staff makes an attempt to satisfy a number of offseason targets with respect to roster alterations. With 9 draft picks — together with three within the prime 75 — the Cowboys are set to have a rookie class which performs a key function at various positions. Earlier than the draft takes place, although, impactful selections on a number of monetary fronts will must be made.
