This weekend marks the start of the NFL Divisional round playoffs, but the Dallas Cowboys are already planning their 2024 roster.
One of the worst ways to lose is as the second seed in the conference in the Wildcard round, which raises a lot of issues for the club.
As of right now, a few of those queries have already been addressed.
It is known that Mike McCarthy will remain for a fifth season as head coach, and it is reasonable to anticipate that Dak Prescott will also return.
Apart from that, there are two primary areas of uncertainty regarding the Dallas Cowboys.
Is Dan Quinn Staying or Going?
The biggest issue on the coaching staff now that Mike McCarthy has officially announced his return for a fifth season is what will happen to DC Dan Quinn.
The Cowboys hired Quinn as their defensive coordinator in 2021 after McCarthy sacked Mike Nolan following a historically awful season for the defense.
He has added explosiveness, stability, and a tendency to steal the ball.
For the third consecutive season, the Cowboys have the best turnover differential in the NFL, setting a franchise record.
In the last several seasons, Quinn’s defense has also turned not one, but TWO cornerbacks into stars.
Trevon Diggs was named to the first team of the All-Pro squad in 2022 after leading the league in interceptions.
For DaRon Bland, the 2023 season was a breakthrough year.
With almost five interceptions returned for touchdowns, Bland set an NFL record and was close to leading the league in interceptions.
Not to be overlooked is Micah Parsons’ growth into one of the league’s top defensive players, if not the greatest overall.
If Quinn receives an offer for a head coaching position elsewhere, Joe Whitt Jr. should be a strong contender to succeed him.
Which Free Agents Should Be Retained?
Dallas will have to make some tough decisions this offseason regarding 16 players who will be entering unrestricted free agency.
Here is the full list:
- LT Tyron Smith
- RB Tony Pollard
- CB Stephon Gilmore
- Jourdan Lewis
- Dorance Armstrong
- Jayron Kearse
- Dante Fowler Jr.
- Noah Igbinighene
- Johnathan Hankins
- Trent Sieg
- Chuma Edoga
- Neville Gallimore
- Rico Dowdle
- Tyler Biadasz
- Sean McKeon
- CJ Goodwin
Okay, so some of these choices might not be as difficult, but the Cowboys will need to choose whether to extend contracts to well-known players.
Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, and Tyler Biadasz are the players I would most like to see rejoin the club.
The knowledge that the remaining 13 players on the list won’t be playing for the Cowboys in 2019 wouldn’t worry me.
Tyron proved to us that he can still play left tackle at an All-Pro level if the Cowboys help restrict his practice load.
I hope that body maintenance plan is continued for an additional year.
In order to witness what a complete season of Gilmore and Diggs on the edge and Bland in the slot looks like, I would also adore seeing Stephon Gilmore back.
Dak Prescott should benefit from Tyler Biadasz’s continued familiarity, as he demonstrated significant development from previous seasons.
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