By Alex Al-Kazzaz
The 2024 NFL season is about to begin. Now that the preseason is wrapped up, the Cowboys officially have their 53-man roster set. The CeeDee Lamb holdout recently ended as he finally received his payday and Dalvin Cook just signed with Dallas. The team's Super Bowl drought is nearing the 30-year mark, and while they're looking to end it, it doesn't look like it'll happen this season.
The last three seasons have been a complete waste of potential. Three back-to-back 12-win seasons with nothing to show for it. Dallas made the divisional round in 2022, but in last season's wild-card round, they were humiliated by Jordan Love & Company. Frankly, Mike McCarthy should have been canned after that loss, but because 2024 is a contract year for him, it made sense to keep him. 2024 is make or break for McCarthy, but don't be surprised if things go so bad that he gets fired mid-season.
Dak Prescott is also in a contract year. At this point, he's not worth the chance. Three years ago, he got a payday from Dallas and the investment has not paid off. On the contrary, the investment is an abject failure. Even Stephen A. Smith says Prescott is undeserving of another massive extension.
Frankly, the only thing that can save Prescott's future in Dallas is if he can lead the team to an NFC championship, and it's obvious that it won't happen. Therefore, when the Cowboys are done, they move on from Prescott and return to the drawing board. In other words, the Cowboys take their chances in the draft and take a quarterback.
The defense has respectable talent. Mike Zimmer is his second stint as defensive coordinator, having served in this position from 2000 to 2006. His previous stint with Dallas went from 1994 to 2006, and before assuming the role of defensive coordinator, he was the team's defensive backs coach and defensive assistant. Zimmer's resume is impressive as he was defensive coordinator in Cincinnati from 2008 to 2013 before being named head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, a position he held until 2021.
Having Zimmer at the helm for the defense is fantastic, but the question is can the defense maintain its composure? Daron Bland is out for several weeks due to a foot injury and Trevon Diggs is back. Micah Parsons is in the final year of his rookie deal, so 2024 is his chance to prove himself better than ever to receive his payday. A lot of names on that defensive unit, and once again, the defense looks to be more exciting than the offense, although defensive concerns with Dallas are still problems today as it has for the past 25-plus years.
There are too many questions that surround the offense. Unanswered questions. From the playcalling to the passing game, running game, offensive line, etc. With all the unanswered questions come doubts. Too many doubts. Can Prescott be and stay consistent? Will the passing game be effective? And the running game? Can they get the playcalling right? Can they score points? Make explosive plays? The unanswered questions continue to pile up.
The tight end position is very questionable. Jake Ferguson is listed as the starter with second-year Luke Schoonmaker behind him. Peyton Hendershot was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, which was unexpected. Ferguson's ability to catch the ball isn't the question, but rather, his ability to block. As far as the wide receiver corps goes, Lamb and Brandin Cooks are effective, but the others behind them are needed, as well.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey is coming off a tremendous 2023 season. In the preseason win over Las Vegas, he brilliantly made a 66-yard field goal. Aubrey, 29, went 36-for-38 last season. Aubrey is brilliant, however, it's a little concerning that Aubrey is a more exciting player than most of the offense. Honestly, it seems that Aubrey may be the most trustworthy player on the entire team.
Only in the NFC East can a team that ranges from average to mediocre to below-average win the division and a spot in the playoffs. Right now, nobody can take the New York Giants seriously. The Washington Commanders are once again under a new head coaching regime. As far as the Philadelphia Eagles go, they're determined to avenge their 2023 season that started strong but ended terribly. The NFC East is a coin toss between Dallas and Philadelphia.
A 10-7 finish is the best scenario for the Cowboys. While it's probably enough to secure a playoff spot, it doesn't convince anyone that Dallas is capable of a deep playoff run, so expect Dallas to be dumped out of the playoffs in a humiliating fashion, resulting in the end of the McCarthy and Prescott era.
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