Dallas Cowboys: What Would Make 2024 A Success?

The Dallas Cowboys enjoyed a fantastic regular-season campaign in 2023, but it concluded with familiar disappointment. The 12-5 Cowboys were stunned by the seven-seed Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. The goal in 2024 will be straightforward: Advance to the NFC Championship Game, or it will be considered another failure.

The Cowboys finished a dominant 12-5 for the third consecutive campaign. Mike McCarthy's squad won the NFC North over their division rival Philadelphia Eagles, who had represented the conference in the previous Super Bowl. The stunning 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers signaled a par-for-the-course collapse as Dallas became the first two-seed in NFL history to be upset by the seventh seed.

This offseason has been marred with distraction. CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott are all awaiting contract extensions. Negotiations have been difficult.

Lamb has been holding out of training camp. He's subject to $40,000 daily fines for his absence, though the Cowboys could rescind that punishment according to the CBA due to him being on his rookie contract. The Cowboys have been in discussions to make their go-to wideout among the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the league. The receiver market has exploded this offseason with the Minnesota Vikings signing Justin Jefferson to a four-year, $140 million extension. Lamb undeniably expects something similar.

The Cowboys already triggered Parsons' fifth-year option for the 2025 campaign. That arguably makes his negotiation the least pressing. He'll eventually expect to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

The Prescott negotiation is perhaps the Cowboys' most interesting predicament. Dallas' long-term starting quarterback is entering the final year of a previously signed four-year extension with the Cowboys. Prescott's $59.45 million cap charge is the second-largest in the NFL this season, though none of his salary is guaranteed. If the Cowboys opt against re-signing him, they'll inherit a sizable $40.1 million cap charge in 2025 due to void years and restructures, according to Spotrac.

It's a make-or-break campaign for Prescott. The QB market has endured significant increases this offseason. With less experienced quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love earning a league-high $55 million per season, Prescott is positioned to demand $60 million annually. If Dallas still hasn't won with him as a $40 million quarterback, what leads the front office to believe they'll win with him as a $60 million quarterback?

These three negotiations have had a profound impact on how the Cowboys have conducted business this offseason. A cautious approach has led to several outgoings. Starting running back Tony Pollard, starting offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and notable defensive linemen Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler Jr. were among the players the Cowboys couldn't afford to re-sign.

The Cowboys reunited with Ezekiel Elliott after releasing him last offseason, signing him to a one-year contract worth $3 million. Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks also joined via a one-year, $3 million agreement. Those are the largest contracts the Cowboys handed out in free agency.

The Cowboys are relying on homegrown and cheap talent to fill voids. Jalen Tolbert will play a larger role at receiver. Rookie offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe could be starters at left tackle and center (though Beebe is currently "losing" the battle to holdover Brock Hoffman). 

Mazi Smith and DeMarvion Overshown are being counted on to take steps forward. Rookie linebacker Marist Liufau is pushing Overshown for a starting gig. Rookie defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland is being counted on following Sam Williams' season-ending torn ACL. Almost every player mentioned on offense and defense is on a rookie contract.

The Cowboys' three biggest talents have shaped their entire offseason. Despite the difficult negotiation, a record-breaking contract extension for Lamb should arrive prior to September. Discussions with Prescott and Parsons are considerably more complicated and less pressing. The 2025 Cowboys will look significantly different with changes at quarterback and head coach if they fall short of reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2024.