Cowboys news: What might be on Dallas’ Christmas list?

The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys.

Mailbag: What’s on your Cowboys wish list? – Mickey Spagnola, Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

If only Dallas’ Christmas wishes could come true.

So what’s on your Christmas wish list for the Cowboys? Both for these last two games and the offseason ahead? – Santa Claus/North Pole

Mickey: Very cute. Also, top of my very pertinent wish list would be good health. This has been an unfortunate season when you consider the uncommon number of Pro Bowl players the Cowboys have and did have at one point this season on injured reserve.

Think about it this way: Currently on injures reserve are Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin and Trevon Diggs. Those guys alone count $93.5 million against the $255.4 million salary cap. That right there consumes 37 percent of the cap. And if we add in other players with Pro Bowls on their resumes missing multiple games, guys such as Brandin Cooks, Micah Parsons and Daron Bland, that’s another $17 million, that comes to $38.2 million of cap dollars at some point missing games.

And by COO Stephen Jones calculation, there is currently $102 million total dollars on injured reserve, so 40 percent. Someone needs to lay hands on this team for the rest of this year and going forward with some of these rehabs to get this team healthy.

Tommy: Good to hear from you in your busiest time of the year, Mr. Claus. In the next two games, the best gift that Dallas can gift themselves is allowing their young contributors to get an uptick in snaps and gain some valuable experience.

With no playoffs ahead of them, let some of the guys who will be future starters and/or depth pieces going forward play free and fast since they’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

As far as the offseason goes, finding a way to keep Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis in the fold would be equivalent of getting the Christmas present you had at the top of your list under the tree.

Cowboys’ Jerry Jones wants NFL to continue playing on Christmas no matter the day: ‘We’re going to be there’ – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports

Increased NFL exposure is on top of mind for Jerry.

For years, the NBA owned Christmas Day. But the NFL began playing regularly on Christmas Day in 2020, and they’re not letting up.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who is in the Pro Football Fame not only as a team executive but also as contributor to helping grow the league, said he feels like the NFL will ensure it’s always playing on Christmas, no matter what day of the week the holiday falls on.

“Christmas Day is Christmas Day, and it doesn’t wait around for what day it’s on,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. “We want to be there on Christmas Day.

“I would think the future is whatever day it’s on, we’re going to be there on Christmas.”

The NFL has two games scheduled for Christmas Day this season, both on Netflix: the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. and the Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. There’s also the special treat of Beyonce performing the halftime show of the Ravens-Texans game, something Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is angling to attend despite being in the middle of a work day.

What would you get the Dallas Cowboys for Christmas? 5 ideas including a realistic choice that would make major difference – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZSports.com

Some things on Dallas’ Christmas list could come true if they wanted them to.

If I could get the Dallas Cowboys anything for Christmas, what would I get them?

Now, it’s a tricky question so I decided on some ground rules before picking. Here are a few: I don’t have to get them gifts that make sense for the 25th specifically. I mean, they’re 7-8 by now and eliminated from the playoffs. I’m sure delayed gifts will be for the best.

The realistic one: An early contract extension for Micah Parsons

Parsons said last week that he’d love to sign an early deal with the Cowboys so the team can “attack free agency.” Considering the amount of needs Dallas has heading into 2025, this would be a major achievement for the front office. Now granted, I’m not sure that’s what the Jones want, as they’ve suggested they expect another “tight” offseason.

But as long as they’re open to being aggressive, extending Parsons early would lower his cap hit for 2025 and allow them to spend freely in March, which is where the impact makers are signed. The Cowboys simply gotta do better than being dead last in free agency signings like they were this season.

The longshot, best-case scenario gift: Ben Johnson

You know that feeling when you get the perfect gift for someone special in your life? That’s what I’d feel if I could gift the Cowboys the hottest head coaching candidate in the market: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

I’m fully convinced he’d give the team the biggest gameday edge out of any candidate. It’s looking like they might run it back with Mike McCarthy, and I have little to no hope of Dallas landing Johnson with how selective he appears to be. But one can dream.

Cowboys 3-round mock draft: Dallas stockpiles offensive firepower – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated

Since we’re eliminated from the playoffs, it’s time to take a peek at the offseason.

Dallas was expected to make big changes this offseason with Mike McCarthy on the hot seat but this resurgance has him favored to return. Whether he comes back for a sixth year, or they look for a new coach, the offense is going to need more talent.

That’s the focus early in this 3-round mock draft as the Cowboys bring in two difference-makers with their first two selections.

Round 1: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

CeeDee Lamb has fought through a shoulder injury all season and still has more than 100 receptions and 1,000 yards. Dallas has needed that from him since the rest of the offense has been inconsistent. While Jalen Tolbert has been vastly improved, he’s best served as a WR3, which is why they use their first round pick on Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State.

A savvy route-runner who can be deadly after the reception, Egbuka would would an excellent addition across from Lamb. He’s exactly what Dak Prescott needs to get back on track in 2025.

Round 2: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

One of the most pleasant surprises this season has been Rico Dowdle. The former undrafted free agent had 903 yards and is averaging 4.8 per carry. As we saw in Week 16, however, when he struggles to move the ball on the ground, Dallas has no other options.

That’s why adding a running back is a must, even if they re-sign Dowdle. In this mock, they use their second pick on Dylan Sampson from Tennsee, giving them someone who can carry the load — but also has no issues working in a committee.

Sampson had 604 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 while splitting time with Jaylen Wright. When Wright entered the NFL, Sampson became the No. 1 back and has 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games.

Here is the first injury report for Dallas’ Week 17 matchup in Philadelphia.