The 2024 NFL regular season is coming to a close for the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday when they face off against the Washington Commanders. It might look closer to a preseason game this Sunday, as the Cowboys are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and have already chosen to sit WR CeeDee Lamb for the final two games.
Washington might be compelled to do the same with some of their stars. They have clinched a playoff spot, and now seeding is still to be determined by week 18 outcomes. The Commanders are tied with the Packers with identical 11-5 records, but could easily drop to the 7th seed with a loss versus Dallas and a Green Bay home victory over the Bears.
Seeding is Washington’s problem, however. The Cowboys have bigger fish to fry, like focusing on roster construction for the 2025 season. If you thought the Cowboys had to make tough decisions about the roster after the 2023 season, be prepared because there are 30 players on the team who are on expiring contracts following 2024.
After an offseason of watching impact players like RB Tony Pollard, DE Dorance Armstrong, LT Tyron Smith, CB Stephon Gilmore, S Jayron Kearse, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT Neville Gallimore, and C Tyler Biadasz depart in free agency, fans must be prepared for it to be even worse.
Some of these players will be-resigned, but the list is long. For the sake of page space in this article, I won’t list the full 30 players, but here are the impact players:
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence
- WR Brandin Cooks
- RG Zack Martin
- P Bryan Anger
- DT Osa Odighizuwa
- DT Chauncey Golston
- LB Eric Kendricks
- CB Jourdan Lewis
- S Markquese Bell
- WR/KR KaVontae Turpin
- OL Brock Hoffman
- S Juanyeh Thomas
- CB/ST C.J. Goodwin
- LS Trent Sieg
- LT Chuma Edoga
- CB Amani Oruwariye
- DE Carl Lawson
That’s quite the list, but only one of those names there has been asked about his pending free agency, and how he plans to approach it.
Dallas Is My Home
CB Jourdan Lewis is one of the most consistent players the Cowboys have had on defense since he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Dallas was much maligned for this draft because it was the infamous Taco Charlton draft, but nobody pays attention to the absolute gem the Cowboys drafted in the 3rd round of the same draft.
Lewis didn’t make the Pro Bowl this season, but that won’t dull his shine. He has had a great season, recording 66 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 1.0 sacks, 7 passes defensed, and one interception.
Dallascowboys.com writer Patrik “No C” Walker caught up with Lewis and asked him about his pending free agency as a cornerstone of the Cowboys defense. Lewis’ answer should make Cowboys fans feel good.
Once you start focusing on things {ahead of you}, you start missing things that are right on front of you. We still have a week of preparation to beat Washington, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t understand the value in this game for me and the value in the offseason, but I still have to focus on what’s right in front of me. That’s how you get to have a good season–focus on what’s in front of you. That’s what I plan to do this week.
Lewis is human, and although he tried to deflect, I find it hard to believe he hasn’t thought of his upcoming free agency. His response is exactly why the Cowboys should want him back on the team until he’s ready to retire. His no-nonsense, business approach to the game should be envied by all other players.
The former Jim Thorpe Award winner at Michigan has overcome a major injury and returned to form afterward. Dallas needs to sign him to a new deal as soon as possible. Lewis continued after being asked about remaining in Dallas for years to come.
Always. Dallas is my home. My kids were born here. We’d love to have another season here, or a few seasons here. My wife loves it. But I know it’s a business, and we don’t know what the front office needs.
Well, Jourdan, I can tell you that many of us can speculate as to what the front office needs in 2025. No matter what is on that list, a cornerback with a track record like Lewis’ should be near the top of the list of priorities.