The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season has been, well… a mess. After a strong showing last year, things have gone completely off the rails. They’ve lost four games in a row, got embarrassed by the Eagles, and now, to top it all off, Dak Prescott’s out for the season with a hamstring injury. Sitting at a painful 3-6, it’s safe to say this isn’t where Cowboys fans thought they’d be.
The good news? With some big changes, Dallas can turn things around next year. From shaking up the coaching staff to rethinking some key positions, the Cowboys have a real shot at bouncing back in 2025. Here’s a game plan to help America’s Team reclaim its swagger and get back in the running as true contenders. Let’s dive in.
4. Find Dak Prescott’s Successor
Dak Prescott has been a fixture for the Cowboys since he took over as starting quarterback in 2016, leading the team to five playoff appearances. But after nearly a decade at the helm, his postseason record of 2-5 has left many wondering if he can lead Dallas to its first Super Bowl in over 25 years.
While Prescott recently signed a four-year, $240 million extension, he’s on the wrong side of 30 and will be coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. His 2024 numbers reflect his struggles: he completed only 64.7% of his passes for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The Cowboys need to start planning for life after Dak, even if it means drafting a new quarterback to develop in his shadow.
Fortunately, Dallas will have options in the 2025 draft, with promising quarterbacks like Miami’s Cameron Ward, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, and Georgia’s Carson Beck all expected to be available. The Dallas Cowboys could set themselves up for a smooth transition by taking one of these prospects with their first-round pick. Even if Prescott remains the starter for a few more seasons.
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3. Reload the Running Back Platoon
One of the Dallas Cowboys’ more baffling moves this past offseason was their decision to skip the 2024 draft’s promising pool of running backs. After letting Tony Pollard walk in free agency, Dallas re-signed an aging Ezekiel Elliott, who’s far past his prime. The results have been underwhelming.
The Cowboys’ run game is nearly nonexistent, averaging just 83.7 rushing yards per game—second-worst in the league. Elliott, who has a meager 3.2 yards per carry and only eight first downs on 54 attempts, isn’t the answer. Meanwhile, backups like Rico Dowdle, Dalvin Cook, Hunter Luepke, and Deuce Vaughn haven’t impacted much, either.
With Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins available in the 2025 draft, the Cowboys can breathe new life into their backfield. Both prospects rank high on the scouting boards and could give Dallas an immediate spark as rookies. Given that the Cowboys haven’t taken a running back in the first two days of the draft since Elliott in 2016, it’s time they invest in a fresh, young playmaker who can help balance the offense.
2. Consider A Blockbuster Trade For Micah Parsons
With Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year has been a game-changer, recording at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons. However, in 2024, he’s seen a dip in production, managing only three sacks over five games while dealing with injuries. The Cowboys could soon face a tough decision: pay Parsons a record-breaking extension or trade him and get a haul of draft picks in return.
If Dallas opts to trade Parsons, they could load up on early-round picks in 2025, potentially securing multiple Day 1 and Day 2 selections. Those assets could address some of the team’s glaring needs on rookie-friendly contracts, setting up the Dallas Cowboys for a quick and sustainable rebuild. Of course, there’s no guarantee that these picks will produce another Parsons-level talent. However, the extra flexibility could allow Dallas to build a well-rounded roster that is ready to compete for years to come.
1. Replace Head Coach Mike McCarthy
The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to stick with Mike McCarthy after yet another disappointing playoff run in 2023 raised eyebrows—and for good reason. While he guided Dallas to three consecutive 12-5 regular seasons, McCarthy has managed only one postseason win during his tenure, and that came against a depleted Tampa Bay team that barely made it into the 2022 playoffs.
Now, the team is struggling under his leadership, setting an NFL record by trailing by 20 or more points in five consecutive home games. Fans watched as Dallas dropped all four home games by an average margin of 23.5 points, and even star defender Micah Parsons voiced his frustrations, making a thinly veiled critique of McCarthy in a recent interview. The team’s sloppy, turnover-riddled performance proves that the current approach isn’t working.
Owner Jerry Jones may be reluctant to make a mid-season change, as he’s been vocal about his regret over past firings of Wade Phillips and Chan Gailey during the season. But unless something drastically changes, McCarthy certainly won’t be back in 2025. The Cowboys will have appealing coaching options: a seasoned leader like Bill Belichick or a rising star like Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could bring a much-needed shift in energy and strategy.
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