Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.
Could Mike Zimmer return to Cowboys in 2025, even if McCarthy doesn’t? – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys defense has played better the last few weeks. Could they retain their defensive coordinator if the team says goodbye to Mike McCarthy after the season?
One of the more interesting aspects of the 2024 debacle was the fallout of losing Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator. Quinn had been sought after since pretty much the moment he was hired in Dallas as his impact on the Cowboys‘ defense was quick and obvious. Thanks to the addition of first-round phenom Micah Parsons, Quinn’s approach was run by top-tier young talent, which highlighted his approach and ability to direct.
Quinn both passed up on and was passed over for several vacancies he interviewed for across 2022 and 2023, but with things looking ready to implode in Dallas he finally moved on, joining Washington. The problem was, the Mike McCarthy coaching staff he left behind had seemingly worn out their lifelines and were only signed for 2024. That, among several other factors, led to the hiring of Mike Zimmer to a one-year deal to take over the defense.
It’s been long assumed that Zimmer’s fate would be part and parcel with McCarthy’s. If the Cowboys met the edict and advanced to an acceptable postseason point, the staff as a whole would see new contracts, including Zimmer.
With the way the season started, t was pretty clear the main cogs in the coaching staff would all be clearing out their offices. Dallas was horrible on both offense and defense, the team looked disinterested and seemed to be playing out the string by October.
But a funny thing has happened since that point. While lip service is being paid to the possibility McCarthy could get a new deal, that likely isn’t happening. But Zimmer on the other hand, that’s becoming more intriguing week by week.
Week 16 Rooting Guide: How the Cowboys keep their 0.1% chance at the playoffs alive – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside the Star
With the even the slimmest of playoff chances still alive for the Cowboys, here who you root for and against today.
New York Giants (2-12) over Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
The Atlanta Falcons will have a new quarterback under center despite still being in the hunt for the 7th and final playoff spot in the NFC. QB Kirk Cousins has been benched in favor of rookie 8th overall pick Michael Penix Jr.
New York has cycled through quarterbacks this season, and even released maligned QB Daniel Jones after not seeing improvement. They are on the hook for most of his contract, but are also in line for the first overall pick in the draft. A victory here doesn’t make sense for them, but crazier things have happened.
New York Jets (4-10) over Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they can still play spoiler to teams like the Los Angeles Rams. They still have games left versus division rivals Buffalo and Miami, and they can spoil Buffalo’s seeding while eliminating Miami altogether.
Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams lead the NFC West against all expectations. Los Angeles had a mass exodus of impact players, and were expected to be in a rebuilding season. Instead, they sit atop their division with a deep playoff run in their sights.
Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) over Washington Commanders (9-5)
Philadelphia already defeated the Commanders a few weeks ago. It was a one possession game in Philadelphia, but this time they play in Washington. Hurts and the offense are playing lights out, and look to extend their 10-game winning streak, the longest in the league.
The Washington Commanders currently hold the 7th and final Wildcard spot for the playoffs, and a loss to the Eagles would probably knock them out of that spot in favor of the Falcons or Cardinals. They cannot afford a loss, but the Cowboys need Philadelphia to win their 11th straight.
Cowboys Announce Ominous Trevon Diggs Move Among 5 Roster Changes – Mike Fisher, Athlon Sports
As expected. the team placed Trevon Diggs on season-ending injured reserve as well as a few corresponding transactions.
Saturday marks the official end of the season for Trevon Diggs as he faces a challenging climb back to health for 2025. Meanwhlle, buddy Micah Parsons is trying to help their Dallas Cowboys get healthy now. Dallas has officially moved Diggs onto the Reserve/Injured list after his serious – one report says “ominous’ – knee injury that requires bone graft surgery …and and the club has signed CB Andrew Booth to the active roster.
Dallas also elevated center Dakoda Shepley and linebacker Darius Harris from the practice squad for tomorrow night’s game against Tampa Bay. Meanwhile and he has his 2024 season-closing personal goals in place as well. So he’s not going to let a flu bug get in the way of any of that … right?
The Cowboys on Friday released their official injury report in preparation for the “Sunday Night Football’’ visit from the Tampa Bay Bucs, and to the surprise – or maybe shock? – of many in Cowboys Nation, Micah’s name is on the list. Parsons is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at AT&T Stadium due to an illness.
Should the news be especially concerning for 6-8 Dallas as it limps through a season in which Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs and likely DeMarcus Lawrence are among those injured and out for the year?
Cowboys hot topic: Osa Odighizuwa’s good play could price him out of Dallas – Matthew Lenix Jr., Blogging the Boys
Could this Dallas defensive tackle raise his price too high for the Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys are trying to close the 2024 season on a positive note and have successfully done so at the moment with three wins in their last four games. Although they won’t make the postseason, it is good to see them showing heart and resolve with all the injuries and misfortune they’ve had. However, once these season ends in January, the page will turn to offseason activities, which includes free agency.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has already mentioned that the team will have a tight offseason when it comes to spending. While that’s not surprising in the slightest with how things go in Dallas, it also puts the future of some of the top guys on the roster in question. One in particular, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, is a big one to monitor.
Back during the summer, Odighizuwa made it clear what he wanted to do was sign an extension with Dallas while having his best NFL season to date. The former third-round pick has certainly done the best season-to-date thing.
So far this season, Odighizuwa has already tied a career-high with four sacks and set a career mark with 22 quarterback hits (nine more than any other season). He’s also equaled his best year with 31 hurries and has set a new career-high in pressures with 51. His 79.0 pass-rush grade ranks ninth for all defensive lineman in 2024 per Pro Football Focus.
This is great for Odighizuwa because he has certainly upped his value. With what he’s done this season, and the steady progression in his play, Odighizuwa is possibly looking at commanding a deal around $5 to $7 million annually. If he finishes strong in the last three games, he could be looking at double-digit numbers per year. As good as it is for him, it may be the opposite for Dallas.
