Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.
There’s no hope for Cowboys offense if they don’t improve in this one area -Reid Hanson, Cowboys Wire
Is offensive tackle play really the Cowboys fatal flaw?
One of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest struggles throughout the 2024 season was pass protection from the offensive tackle positions. Whether it was Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, or even Trey Lance at the helm, Dallas’ signal callers were routinely facing trouble from the edge, and their play in the pocket reflected that.
The Cowboys’ two offensive tackles, Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton, were all-too-often turnstiles as pass protectors. Their inconsistent play on drop backs forced Dallas to alter the playbook in many ways. Shorter drop backs, quicker releases and abbreviated route combinations were apparent on Day 1 of the season. Less time in the pocket meant less time reading the field, less time for progressions, and fewer big plays.
It’s no mystery why Prescott’s Big Time Throws (BTT) per game dropped from 2.4 to 1.75 in 2024. And also explains why virtually all of Prescott’s other passing efficiency numbers dropped significantly across the board as well.
Despite posting his shortest Time to Throw (TTT) since 2020, Prescott saw an increase of pressures per game with a significant portion of that coming from the edge. Prescott played like he was on a clock and that was likely by design. Dallas’ struggles at OT were rather predictable and Mike McCarthy’s gameplans generally reflected that.
McCarthy routinely used running backs and tight ends to assist his two OTs in pass protection, but that unavoidably removed an extra target downfield. With more defenders in coverage than receiving targets running routes, separation was hard to come by and windows were as narrow as they’ve ever been. It added up to a very stressful situation that not only impacted Prescott’s play in 2024 but may trickle into 2025 as well.
Offseason guide for every eliminated NFL team: Key free agents, draft outlook, priorities and predictions – Staff, ESPN
ESPN sees a lot of priorities for the Cowboys, the offensive tackles are not one of them.
Biggest offseason priority: Figure out the coaching situation. Will Mike McCarthy return, or will team owner Jerry Jones hire his ninth coach since 1989? McCarthy deserves praise for how the team played late in the season when injuries took away key players on both sides of the ball. What happened beforehand, however, has to be reconciled. The offense took a major step back — down more than a touchdown per game in points — and McCarthy is the playcaller, so that has to fall on him.
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Keep Jourdan Lewis. He is more than just a slot cornerback. In many ways, he is the heartbeat of the defense. He is unafraid, can blitz off the edge and find the ball. His value, however, transcends the field. He prepares and works the right way and is the type of player others follow. On a defense that could have changes in personnel and coaching, giving Lewis a new deal is a must. — Todd Archer
Draft outlook: Dallas needs playmakers, plain and simple. Every offensive skill position is on the table given that running back Rico Dowdle is hitting free agency, the regression of tight end Jake Ferguson and the desperate need for a wide receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb. Picking in the top 15 might be too early for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, but he should be in strong consideration for the Cowboys, alongside Missouri receiver Luther Burden III and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. — Miller
NFL coaches vote on best job openings: Cowboys are clear No. 1 – Jeff Howe, The Athletic
The Athletic polled five assistant coaches, including two with head-coaching experience, to rank the current head coach openings, and the Cowboys job comes out on top by a wide margin.
1. Dallas Cowboys
There is some apprehension regarding the Cowboys’ unique power structure, as owner Jerry Jones doubles as the general manager, but based on our respondents’ votes, that hasn’t impacted the desirability of this job.
The Cowboys’ appeal is obvious. “The roster built to win now,” a former head coach said.
The Cowboys are up against the salary cap and need to extend annual NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons. There also are dangers with having a host of highly paid veteran stars, as a rash of injuries can quickly expose depth issues. But the Cowboys, behind VP of player personnel Will McClay, tend to draft well and have waves of younger players on the horizon.
Working under Jones tends to provide job security: He’s had five coaches since 2000, all of whom got at least three years. Coaches around the NFL also recognize the legacy they can build if they bring a Super Bowl to Dallas. Should the Cowboys pivot from McCarthy, they might take control of the hiring cycle.
Cowboys Rumors: Mike McCarthy, Jerry Jones Haven’t Had ‘Substantial’ Contract Talks – Joseph Zucker, Bleacher Report
Another conflicting report about how far along Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones are in negotiations.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and team owner Jerry Jones haven’t had “substantial discussions” about McCarthy’s contract recently, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reported Saturday on NFL Countdown that it’s “in question” whether McCarthy and the Cowboys strike a bargain on a new deal given their lack of communication:
The report is a little surprising because Jones has spoken highly of McCarthy’s work throughout the 2024 NFL season, despite Dallas eventually going 7-10 and missing the playoffs.
“Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy, and the main thing is that I like that job that he’s done,” Jones said Dec. 31 during one of his regular appearances on 105.3 The Fan (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “It’s unfortunate we’re having the year we had, but I feel good about Mike.”
On Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reported that Jones and McCarthy “remain open to moving forward together” and that conversations over a new contract were expected to begin soon.
The Cowboys are working against a ticking clock. McCarthy’s deal expires Tuesday, at which point he’ll become a free agent. He’s already the subject of outside interest, with Dallas reportedly denying the Chicago Bears’ request to interview him. Starting early next week, the the Super Bowl XLV champion won’t have any restrictions in pursing available coaching vacancies.
Which Cowboys coach will lead the offense in 2025? – Mark Heaney, Inside the Star
Out with the old, in with the new? Could there be a change on which coach is pulling strings for the Cowboys offense?
New Face: Brian Johnson’s Second Chance
From 2014 to 2016, Mississippi State had a dynamic duo between Prescott and Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson. One decade later, it could be time to reunite the pair that dominated college football. After a fast rise to the pros and a great stint as the Eagles quarterback coach during their 2022 Super Bowl run, Johnson flamed out as their offensive coordinator.
He was fired after just one season, but he has landed on his feet as the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Commanders. We’ve all seen how high-powered that offense has looked at times this year, as rookie Jayden Daniels has far exceeded expectations en route to a 12-5 record and a playoff berth. That alone is more than Dallas was able to accomplish this year.
Johnson, 37, is still one of the youngest coaches in the league and likely did not deserve as much flack as he caught for his 2023 stint as the Eagles OC. With this successful season in Washington, this could be the perfect time to give him a second chance as an offensive coordinator and to reunite him with his old college quarterback.
Defensive end should be priority No. 1 for the Cowboys this offseason-Brandon Loree, Blogging the Boys
Why reloading at defensive end is a primary order of business for the Cowboys.
Heading into 2025, the only healthy players under contract are Micah Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland. That is a glowing, beaming, and screaming red light of a problem. Williams is still with the team but is recovering from his torn ACL, which he suffered in training camp. Dallas has recently become all too familiar with ACL recoveries, with Trevon Diggs, Terence Steele, and DeMarvion Overshown twice over. Fans should keep their expectations of Williams low until he can find his footing again.
That leaves just Parsons and second-round pick Kneeland as the only two legitimate pass rushers and edge players. Lawrence, Golston, Wheat, and veteran Carl Lawson are all entering free agency.
Owner Jerry Jones seemed to signal Lawrence’s time in Dallas may not be over just yet, and Lawson indicated this week that he would also like to return to the Cowboys next season if they want him. There could be a world where both players return, and the depth looks much better heading into the draft.
However, Lawrence will be 33 next season, and Lawson will be 30. They need to add younger depth around Parsons and Kneeland, which could be a reason to bring back Golston on a front office patented two-year deal for a few million after he had a career season with 5.5 sacks.
The Cowboys can’t afford to re-sign all three players. They will need to address other key positions in free agency, too. The draft will allow them to replenish the position at an affordable price tag and provide more extended control under a rookie contract. It would be wise for Dallas to re-sign two of the three. Considering their history with the team, Lawrence and Golston seem like a logical duo.
However, Lawson could be the better choice to pair with Golston, not only from a health standpoint, but also because his price tag could be lower than what someone of Lawrence’s status might command. Lawson also had a bounce-back year after his time with the New York Jets, recording five sacks despite being a rotational player at the start of the year.
