A Rough Year for the Dallas Cowboys
The 2024 NFL season was one that the Dallas Cowboys fans will likely want to forget. The team’s campaign took a significant hit when quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury after just eight games. Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler, had been the engine driving the Cowboys’ offense, and his absence left a massive void. The team limped to a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs and leading to the departure of head coach Mike McCarthy. Adding to the disappointment, the longtime rival Philadelphia Eagles clinched victory in Super Bowl LIX, further highlighting the Cowboys’ struggles. Despite these setbacks, Prescott recently expressed optimism about the team’s future, stating that the Cowboys are "very close" to the Eagles in terms of competitiveness.
Michael Irvin’s Perspective
On Wednesday’s edition of "Speak," Dallas Cowboys great Michael Irvin echoed Prescott’s sentiment to a degree. "I agree with Dak that they are close to the Eagles and could possibly come up and have something with the Washington Commanders because of familiarity, from playing them all the time. So you’ll get an opportunity, and yes, you can beat them," Irvin said. He elaborated, "You’ll split a season with [the Eagles], wins and losses. You’ll split a season with the Commanders. Dak’s record against the Commanders is 11-2. Against Philadelphia, his record is 6-1 at home, so Dak Prescott has been playing some great football against those teams. Against the whole NFC East, his record is 33-8. That’s a great record, but you don’t just go through the East. You got to go through the rest of the league, and you know the problems you’d had with San Francisco [49ers]; you know the problems you’ve had with the Green Bay Packers; you know the problems you’ve had with everyone else."
The Divisional Rivalry
While Prescott didn’t play in either game, the Cowboys were swept by the Eagles in their 2024 season series, with Philadelphia outscoring Dallas, 75-13. This was a stark contrast to their previous histories, as the Eagles’ last win in Dallas was in 2017, the same year they went on to win the Super Bowl. The two teams have had a mixed history in recent years, splitting their series in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, and 2017. The Cowboys managed to sweep the 2021 and 2018 season series. The Commanders, led by new head coach Dan Quinn and Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, experienced a dramatic turnaround from 2023’s 4-13 record to a 12-5 record in 2024. They won a playoff game for the first time in 19 years and reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years. Washington and Dallas each won on the other’s home turf this season, with the Cowboys winning 13 of the past 18 matchups, indicating a level of parity in the division.
Recent Success and Challenges
Prior to the 2024 season, the Cowboys had enjoyed a streak of success, stacking up three consecutive 12-5 seasons, including NFC East titles in 2021 and 2023. However, their playoff drought continued, and they haven’t appeared in the NFC Championship Game since 1995, which is now the active NFC record. The team has also been struggling against formidable opponents outside their division, losing four consecutive games to the San Francisco 49ers, including two in the postseason. The defensive decline was particularly noticeable in 2024. Without Dan Quinn, who served as their defensive coordinator from 2021-2023, the Dallas defense plummeted from fifth in points surrendered in both 2022 and 2023 to 17th in passing yards (218.1 yards per game), 28th in total yards (355.2 yards per game), 29th in rushing yards (137.1 yards per game), and 31st in points (27.5 per game) under Mike Zimmer.
Leadership Changes and Offseason Moves
In response to the season’s disappointments, the Cowboys have made strategic changes in their leadership. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has been promoted to head coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the team. Klayton Adams, the former offensive line coach of the Arizona Cardinals, has been brought in as the new offensive coordinator. Additionally, Matt Eberflus, the former head coach of the Chicago Bears, has been appointed as the new defensive coordinator. These moves aim to shore up the weaknesses exposed during the 2024 season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Looking Forward
As the Cowboys enter the offseason, they face significant financial and draft challenges. The team is projected to be over the salary cap and holds the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The front office will need to navigate these constraints carefully to improve the roster. In the weeks leading up to the 2024 season, the Cowboys extended Dak Prescott with a four-year, $240 million deal and CeeDee Lamb with a four-year, $136 million deal, ensuring they remain key pieces of the team’s future. Star linebacker Micah Parsons, a two-time All-Pro, will also be eligible for an extension with one season remaining on his rookie deal. The combination of these moves and the new leadership structure signals a commitment to building a competitive team capable of challenging for the Super Bowl in the coming years.
A Balanced View
While Dak Prescott and Michael Irvin have reasons to be optimistic about the Cowboys’ competitiveness within the NFC East, the path to the Super Bowl remains fraught with challenges. The team will need to address their defensive shortcomings and find ways to consistently perform against top-tier competition. The Cowboys’ recent history shows that they have the potential to excel, but sustained success at the highest level will require more than just parity with divisional rivals. With the right moves in the offseason and a strong performance from their key players, the Dallas Cowboys can close the gap and reclaim their position as a formidable force in the NFL.
