The NFL Divisional round playoffs kick off this weekend, but the Dallas Cowboys are already focused on team construction for 2024.
Losing in the Wildcard round as the second seed in the conference is one of the worst ways to go out, leaving the team with many questions.
For now, we already have a couple of those questions answered.
We know Mike McCarthy will return for his fifth season as head coach, and I think it’s fair to assume Dak Prescott isn’t going anywhere either.
Outside of that, the state of the Dallas Cowboys is up in the air on two main fronts.
Is Dan Quinn Staying or Going?
After the news that Mike McCarthy was officially returning for his fifth season, the next biggest question on the coaching staff is the status of DC Dan Quinn.
Quinn has been the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator since 2021 when McCarthy fired Mike Nolan after a historically terrible season from the Cowboys’ defense.
He has brought stability, explosiveness, and a penchant for taking the ball away.
The Cowboys lead the league in turnover differential for the third straight season, a franchise record.
Quinn’s defense has also made stars out of not only one but TWO cornerbacks in the past couple of seasons.
Trevon Diggs led the league in interceptions in 2022 and was named 1st-team All-Pro for his efforts.
The 2023 season was a breakout campaign for DaRon Bland.
Bland was near the league lead in interceptions and set an NFL record by returning five of those for touchdowns.
We also have to mention the development of Micah Parsons into one of, if not the best, defensive players in the league.
Should Quinn be offered a head coaching job elsewhere, look for Joe Whitt Jr. to be a leading candidate to take his place.
Which Free Agents Should Be Retained?
Dallas will have to make some tough decisions this offseason regarding 16 players who will be entering unrestricted free agency.
Here is the full list:
- LT Tyron Smith
- RB Tony Pollard
- CB Stephon Gilmore
- Jourdan Lewis
- Dorance Armstrong
- Jayron Kearse
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- Noah Igbinighene
- Johnathan Hankins
- Trent Sieg
- Chuma Edoga
- Neville Gallimore
- Rico Dowdle
- Tyler Biadasz
- Sean McKeon
- CJ Goodwin
Ok maybe some of these decisions aren’t so tough, but for big-name players, the Cowboys will have to decide whether to offer a new contract or not.
The top names that I would like to see return to the team are Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, and Tyler Biadasz.
I wouldn’t be alarmed to find out that the other 13 players left on the list are not wearing Cowboys uniforms next season.
Tyron showed us that if the Cowboys help limit his practice time, he can still play at an All-Pro level at the left tackle position.
I’d like to see another year with that body maintenance plan.
I would also love to see Stephon Gilmore make a return so we can see what a full season of Gilmore and Diggs on the boundary and Bland in the slot looks like.
Tyler Biadasz showed great improvement from seasons past, and maintaining that familiarity for Dak Prescott means good things.