The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 season with a roster that lost a bevy of key starters from the 10-win 2023 squad, but Jerry Jones and company did almost nothing to replace the talent that was gone.
Instead, Jones opted to pass over multiple free agents that could fill critical voids — bring back Zeke Elliott who the Cowboys ended up cutting before the season ended — and hope for the best.
Sure, Dallas locked down CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott to contract extensions, but even if Prescott remained healthy in 2024, it’s difficult to see a path to where the Cowboys would make a playoff run with the roster they came into the year with.
Now there are glaring questions heading into the 2025 season — with the future of head coach Mike McCarthy at the forefront. Most people in NFL circles believe McCarthy wasn’t given a fair shot this season — and the Chicago Bears have already requested to interview him in case he becomes free — but as of now, all indications are Jones will stick with the head coach for another year.
Regardless of what happens with the coaching staff, the Dallas Cowboys must address their massive void of talent that held them back in 2024.
Just a few years ago, the Cowboys had one of the top offensive lines in the NFL anchored by All-Pros Zach Martin and Tyron Smith.
Martin’s future is now uncertain and the only bright spot on the Cowboys offensive line heading into next season is guard Tyler Smith.
Smith’s second straight Pro Bowl selection marks a Cowboys offensive lineman being in the Pro Bowl in 13 of the last 14 seasons, with 2020 being the lone exception.
