Which Cowboys offseason change will make biggest impact

It is safe to say the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason was controversial.

Following the team’s third devastating playoff loss in three years, many fans had hoped for serious action in the offseason.

Solely gaging by the fanbase’s mood towards the team, they did not get the kind of action they were hoping for.

Inactivity may be the best word to describe the organization’s moves.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy stayed in place, as did the nucules of the team.

And, any major changes that happened were either out of their control or out of their price range.

They lost countless free agents and had some forced coaching staff shakeups.

Cowboys offseason so far:

Added:
– LB Eric Kendricks

Lost:
– RB Tony Pollard
– WR Michael Gallup
– LT Tyron Smith
– C Tyler Biadasz
– LB Leighton Vander-Esch
– DE Dante Fowler
– DE Dorance Armstrong
– DT Neville Gallimore

— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) March 19, 2024

The Cowboys are headed into a crucial 2024 season with these fascinating, yet simple, changes made.

How will these alterations affect the team, and will they move the needle in either direction for an organization stuck in the mud?

Let’s take a look at some of these organizational changes to decide which, if any, will have the biggest impact in 2024.

New Coaches and New Philosophy

The most notable change in Dallas was on the coaching staff.

The Cowboys’ offseason started with them being forced to make some major adjustments in this area, as Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn headed north to Washington.

Bringing several assistants with him, Quinn left a sizable hole in the staff when he left.

Dallas, of course, had to fill those roles with new faces.

Hiring Mike Zimmer, and assistants like Jeff Zgonina, Paul Guenther, and Greg Ellis kicked off the Cowboys offseason.

New members of the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff:

Defensive line: Jeff Zgonina

Defensive run game coordinator: Paul Guenther

Assistant defensive line: Greg Ellis

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 16, 2024

Now, the team is learning the new philosophy and scheme that comes with that.

It is hard to immediately say exactly what effect this change will have on Dallas, but we can make some assumptions.

Players like Mazi Smith and Donovan Wilson are going to have new, key roles in the Zimmer defense.

And those guys will have to step up for this experiment to work.

The bigger impact of the coaching shakeup may not be about the new coaches at all, but rather the adjustment from their previously taught ways.

Many Cowboys defenders only know Quinn from their time in the NFL.

The new system could hurt performance out of the gate.

This change could have a major impact on the Cowboys’ season, for better or for worse.

The Offensive Line Overhaul

While the Cowboys’ offseason saw only two new starters added to the offensive line, it is reasonable to call it an overhaul.

The departure of long-time Cowboy Tyron Smith was a huge loss.

Dallas refused to pay Smith what he needed, leaving the Cowboys with a hole at left tackle.

Starting Center Tyler Biadasz was the same story.

This led to Dallas investing two of their first three draft picks in new offensive linemen, Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe.

Cowboys rookie offensive linemen, including LT Tyler Guyton and C Cooper Beebe, working on keeping balance when throwing punch. pic.twitter.com/VcXjsrt140

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 11, 2024

Whether or not those two rookies can perform immediately will be a huge barometer of the Cowboys’ success.

If not, you can expect struggles in the running game, and with protecting Dak Prescott.

If there is a seamless transition, it could take the Dallas offense to the next level in the years to come.

This is a storyline that Cowboys fans will be watching closely throughout the season.

Considering this could be the final season for franchise legend, Zack Martin, hitting on Guyton and Beebe is essential for the future.

Has the future of the offensive line arrived, or is Dallas in for a long rebuilding process?

A New (And Old) Veteran for Dallas

Let’s just say signing free agents is not the Cowboys’ cup of tea.

Dallas brought in just three external free agents this offseason, but those two will play big roles in 2024.

External free agents signed by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason:
– LB Eric Kendricks
– RB Royce Freeman
– RB Ezekiel Elliott

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 29, 2024

Linebacker Eric Kendricks is a Zimmer protege from his time in Minnesota.

He is projected to be a main centerpiece of the Cowboys’ defense; players will take direction from him on the field.

His experience under Zimmer and in the NFL will be critical to a Dallas linebacking corps that lacked ability and depth in 2023.

On the offensive side, Ezekiel Elliott, a former centerpiece of the Cowboys, returned to Dallas.

This was a pretty controversial move, with Elliott clearly outside of his prime.

However, it isn’t just about selling new #15 Elliott jerseys, but rather about experience, pass blocking, pass-catching, and a major weakness at running back.

#Cowboys announce that #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will wear No. 15 in his second stint with Dallas, which is what he wore at Ohio State and last year in New England. He won't go back to No. 21.

QB Trey Lance is switching from No. 15 to No. 19 to make it all work. pic.twitter.com/4wh3jnu2lX

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 1, 2024

It is hard to make the case that Kendricks and Elliott will bring the biggest changes to Dallas.

Both of these signings are more about veteran familiarity than anything.

However, their immediate impact and starting roles will give them a chance to impact things in 2024.

Are these two veterans up for the task?