What are the expectations for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024?

And just like that, another NFL season is set to kick off next week. Fans worldwide can’t contain their excitement, as they hope to see a new, improved team with Super Bowl aspirations. But is that the same feeling America’s Team’s fanbase has for their beloved Cowboys?

From going 12-5, winning the NFC East, and attaining the second seed in the NFC Playoffs, the Cowboys finally looked like it could be their year. And just in the blink of an eye, they trailed 27-7 at halftime to the seventh-seed Green Bay Packers. The writing was already on the wall as the fans alike wondered if their favorite team was ever going to get over the hump. 

Great team after great team, the Cowboys continuously fail to reach the NFC Championship let alone capture their sixth Super Bowl. 

So, after Jerry Jones said they were “All-in” with no huge moves, what kind of team should the NFL world expect to step on the field in 2024?

What will the Cowboys be this season?

Knowing how the Cowboys franchise operates and their track record in recent years, I have no doubt Mike McCarthy will have this team as a top-10 squad that makes the playoffs. 12-5 is most likely the ceiling solely because that’s how they finished in the past three seasons. Even though this team still has some glaring issues, I expect them to win at least 10 games. 

I fully expect Dak Prescott to have another MVP-type season. Newly extended Ceedee Lamb will have his name in the OPOY conversations while Micah Parsons is talked about as DPOY. The talent is undeniably there. 

There hasn’t been a repeat winner of the NFC East since the Eagles did it through 2002-04. I can see Dallas ending that streak this year earning a top 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, they’ll fall once again in the Divisional Round after a dominant Wild Card Round against a team that underperformed all season. 

If the Cowboys do end their season short of the NFC Championship, major changes will lie ahead in the offseason. McCarthy will be gone. Dak Prescott, who still hasn’t received a deserving contract extension, will more than likely get a huge offer from another team. Then the Cowboys will be in rebuild mode with no franchise guy under center. 

The expectations are always high in Dallas but another underwhelming finish seems all too likely in 2024.

Major moves

After being completely dormant to begin free agency in March, the past few weeks the Cowboys have ramped up improving their roster with veteran help. They signed DT Linval Joseph to strengthen their run defense. Also, DE Carl Lawson, who will start the season on the practice squad, will be a depth piece. RB Dalvin Cook will also join the practice squad with hopes of being a real contributor to possibly the worst backfield in the NFL. 

After losing DC Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, Mike Zimmer comes in to revamp the defense. Zimmer won Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys as a defensive assistant in 1996. Quinn’s defense crumbled against the Packers, it’s evident there needed to be a change. Zimmer is well-respected around the league and will hopefully be the necessary change.

The most important move, however, came on August 26 when WR Ceedee Lamb signed a four-year $136 million contract extension. A prolonged process was finally put to rest as Jerry Jones and company locked up one of the league’s best pass catchers for the near future. 

Dak’s Extension

On the other hand, they have yet to figure out Dak Prescott’s extension. Another contract that should have been situated at the beginning of the offseason. 

Nonetheless, Prescott will finish out the last year of his contract and hopes to even boost his future contract numbers with yet another MVP-type season.

The Cowboys also have rookies that will contribute immediately on the offensive line in LT Tyler Guyton and C Cooper Beebe. I expect them to carry this below-average backfield the whole season. They’ll establish themselves as a top-5 offensive line in the NFL.

Final Thoughts

Just like before every season, the hopes are high that the Cowboys are different and make a real run. I truthfully thought last season, after battling it out for the NFC East title, that it would be their year but that changed quickly. 

This season is the first year probably in my adult life where I had truly little hope before the season kicked off. I felt like they needed to figure out the running back issue, grab another above-average receiver, sign Dak, and make a big defensive signing. I think each of those variables will play a part in the downside of the 2024 season. 

Don’t get me wrong, they’ll be a good football team but I don’t see this team beating San Francisco in the playoffs if it comes down to it again. The rest of the NFC doesn’t put any fear in my heart except the 49ers for obvious reasons. 

I would love to be wrong on my expectations but I have learned to trust my gut feeling. Nonetheless, football season is finally here and I’m exhilarated about it. 

For more Football content, click here!