The 2024 Dallas Cowboys offseason has been a rollercoaster of uncertainty for the 53-man roster. Key players have not been re-signed, superstars have not received extensions, and teammates are openly feuding.
The front office’s readiness for a drastic change could lead to a Cowboys fire sale, leaving the team’s future hanging in the balance.
While Jerry Jones & Co. have gone to great lengths to keep the team in the spotlight, recent years have also revealed a more frugal side of the front office. The question now is, could this frugality result in key, high-dollar players being sent packing, potentially altering the team’s dynamics and performance?
Let’s review this year’s offseason moves and potential trade candidates.
Cowboys Offseason Roster Changes
As the offseason began, we saw key players leave in free agency. Tyron Smith signed a contract with the New York Jets, Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans, Tyler Biadasz signed with the Washington Commanders, and several other players gwentelsewhere.
Here is a complete list of departures:
- Tyron Smith – New York Jets
- Tony Pollard – Tennessee Titans
- Noah Igbinoghene – Washington Commanders
- Johnathan Hankins – Seattle Seahawks
- Neville Gallimore – Miami Dolphins
- Dante Fowler – Washington Commanders
- Tyler Biadasz – Washington Commanders
- Dorance Armstrong – Washington Commanders
The offensive line took the biggest hit, with two prominent linemen taking their services to the east coast.
The defensive line lost valuable role players, and our starting running back went home to Tennessee.
The Cowboys chose to release or not re-sign other contributors from last year.
This list includes:
- Michael Gallup – Released/signed by Las Vegas Raiders
- Leighton Vander Esch – Released/Retired
- Stephon Gilmore – Released
Three additional starters will need to be replaced by rookies or free agents.
The Cowboys’ front office typically prioritizes re-signing their players. However, this offseason, there has been a slight shift in philosophy.
Several opportunities have emerged for players on the roster to step up and carve out a role.
Who was signed/drafted to fill holes in the Cowboys’ roster?
The Cowboys have signed a few players who could fill a few of the holes left by departures. The biggest signing of the offseason was Eric Kendricks, who has a history with new Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Kendricks will be the team’s primary middle linebacker in the new defensive scheme, bringing valuable experience and leadership to the position.
Royce Freeman was picked up to help with depth in the running back room.
Ezekiel Elliott has been signed and will likely be the primary back in a running-back-by-committee backfield.
We will also see two players from the USFL making an impact. Willie Harvey Jr. will fill a linebacker spot, while Gareon Conley could see snaps at cornerback.
The draft class is where money is saved on the roster, with cheaper rookie contracts filling several key positions. Rookie Tyler Guyton will fill the left tackle position, Cooper Beebe will fill the center position, and Marshawn Kneeland will fill the defensive end spot.
Several other rookies will also see the field at linebacker, cornerback, and wide receiver.
Cowboys superstars not given extensions
As we examine the updated roster, we see that three players—Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons—await major contract extensions. They are seeking fair compensation for their continued services.
Typically, superstar players are first on the list to get contracts, but as we have seen this offseason, that is not always the case.
Could the Cowboys front office be drawing a line in the sand?
Do Jerry and Stephen Jones believe they can fill these spots with cheaper players next year and get the same type of production?
A young quarterback named Trey Lance is waiting; will he have the same production as Dak Prescott? The contract would be much cheaper, possibly helping to secure extensions for other major players.
I do not see a player on the current roster who could fill the role of CeeDee Lamb or Micah Parsons.
CeeDee Lamb is one of the league’s top two or three wide receivers. Brandin Cooks could provide some production, but not at Lamb’s level.
Although Micah Parsons is a generational talent, his off-field behavior may make the front office hesitant to take a chance on him. The defense lacks another player who can match Parsons’ impact on the field.
Trading Superstars
There have been rumors that CeeDee Lamb may demand a trade if he doesn’t receive an extension. Could Dak Prescott or Micah Parsons follow suit?
If so, what could the Cowboys get in return for these players on the trade market?
A CeeDee Lamb trade would be on par with the Tyreke Hill trade, who was traded for five draft picks: a 2022 first-round pick (No. 29), a second-round pick (No. 50), and a fourth-round pick, plus fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft.
This would be the floor for CeeDee Lamb.
A Dak Prescott trade would be similar to a Matthew Stafford trade. Stafford was traded for QB Jared Goff, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round, and a 2021 third-round pick.
A young quarterback would possibly not be needed but could be welcomed.
Micah Parsons is the tricky one in this scenario.
The closest trade with the value needed in return would be the Khalil Mack trade in 2016. In this trade, the Bears acquired the 2016 NFL defensive player of the year and three-time Pro Bowler along with a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 2020 fifth-round pick in exchange for their 2019 first-round pick, 2020 first-round pick, 2020 third-round pick, and 2019 sixth-round pick.
With these three potential trades, we’ll have enough draft picks to fill the roster with young, affordable talent in just one or two drafts.
Could the Cowboys’ front office consider this as a way to build a contender for the future? If these players do not receive extensions, we might find out sooner than we think.