Mike McCarthy became the ninth coach in Cowboys' history – and the eighth one hired by Jerry Jones in 32 years – to begin the 2020 season.
But the upheaval the Cowboys experienced wasn't limited to the coaching staff. Over 20 players departed the team via retirement or free agency.
Jason Witten left for the Raiders. Center Travis Frederick retired as he never returned from the illness that claimed his career.
The Cowboys overhauled their defense in free agency. Defensive lineman Everson Griffen, Aldon Smith, Dontari Poe, and Gerald McCoy were added.
Defensive backs Maurice Canady, Brandon Carr, and Ha Ha Clinton Dix were also signed. Placekicker Greg Zuerlein was brought in to shore up the kicking game.
Neither Dix, Canady, nor McCoy would play a single down for the Cowboys.
Not The Start Dallas Wanted
Dallas opened the season in Los Angeles. The Rams controlled the clock and used a pair of Malcom Brown touchdown runs for a 20-17 victory.
McCarthy got his first win as Cowboys' head coach over the Falcons, and their head coach – and soon-to-be Cowboys' defensive coordinator – Dan Quinn.
The Falcons jumped out to a 20-0 lead after the first quarter. Dak Prescott would throw for 450 yards and a touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz.
But it was Prescott's third rushing touchdown that got Dallas to with two at 39-37 with 1:49 left in the game.
After a successful onside kick, Greg Zuerlein nailed a 46 yard field goal for a 40-39 Cowboys' victory.
While Dallas' offense was firing on all cylinders, the defense couldn't get off the field. A 38-31 loss at Seattle and a 49-38 loss to the Browns dropped Dallas to 1-3.
Season Comes Unraveled
The Cowboys would escape New York with a 37-34 victory over the Giants in Week 5. But the price they paid cost them the rest of the season.
After the teams had traded defensive touchdowns – and Prescott had caught a touchdown pass from Cedrick Wilson Jr. – the Cowboys were up 24-23 and driving.
On first and 10 from the Giants 27, Prescott scrambled for a nine yard gain. But Logan Ryan's tackle led to a compound fracture and dislocation of Prescott's ankle.
He would miss the rest of the season. The Cowboys would miss Prescott as they would go 4-7 the rest of the way.
A Season-Killing Losing Streak
Andy Dalton had been signed to back up Prescott before the season. He had led Dallas to a come-from-behind win against the Giants.
But the offense struggled with Dalton under center and the defense wasn't able to keep the Cowboys in the game over the next four weeks.
The Cardinals rolled to a 38-10 win in Dalton's first start, Road losses to Washington (25-3) and the Eagles (23-9) followed.
Ben DiNucci started the Eagles game, after coming in for Dalton in the Washington loss. Garrett Gilbert would start the next week against the Steelers and threw a touchdown to CeeDee Lamb.
The unbeaten Steelers handed Dallas a 24-19 loss anyway as Dallas fell to 2-7 going into their bye week.
A Better Second Half
Dalton returned with a three-touchdown effort in a 31-28 win over the Vikings. But a 41-16 loss to Washington and a 34-17 loss at Baltimore officially ended any slim playoff hopes Dallas had.
The Cowboys closed out with a three-game winning streak, beating the Bengals (30-7), the 49ers (41-33), and the Eagles (37-17).
Dalton's brief run in Dallas ended on a sour note with a 23-19 loss to the Giants in New York.
Dalton drove Dallas to the Giants' seven in the final two minutes. But his final pass attempt – intended for Dalton Schultz – was intercepted in the end zone.
The Cowboys' season had ended at 6-10 and a third-place finish. In his first year, McCarthy was already on the hot seat in Dallas.
