Roster churn is nothing new in the NFL. Even before free agency came into existence back in 1993, rosters would change significantly every offseason. Changes were inevitable then just as they are today. This unavoidable shakeup is especially true for the Dallas Cowboys’ running back room in 2025. The Cowboys prefer phases for personnel turnover rather than sudden, drastic changes. Too many shakeups at one position group can cause quite the ruckus if done in a single offseason. Unfortunately, this offseason there may be no way of avoiding it at the RB position. With Ezekiel Elliott already released, and Rico Dowdle set to hit free agency this March, the Cowboys could be looking at wholesale changes at the top of their RB depth chart. Despite being the Cowboys’ unofficial breakout player of the year, Dowdle is a tough appraisal heading into free agency. For as impressive as Dowdle has been in 2024, he comes with a concerning injury history that stretches all the way back to his college days. It’s those injuries at South Carolina that led him to go undrafted in the first place and those injuries that cause hesitation over a large multiyear extension today. It’s very possible the Cowboys lose Dowdle to a higher bidder in free agency and are therefore forced to rebuild the RB room completely in 2025. Even players further down the RB depth chart are cause for concern. Deuce Vaughn has struggled to prove he has the stature required to survive in a rotation. He doesn’t offer much in special teams and consequently could be done in Dallas as well. Hunter Luepke is a pretty safe bet to make the roster again in 2025, but his value lies in his ability to play fullback, tight end and H-back. With just 15 career rushing attempts in 32 games, how much of a running back is he really? To make matters worse, practice squad RBs such as Dalvin Cook and Malik Davis have shown nothing to make anyone think they factor into Dallas’ 2025 plans at all. The way things look today, it could be a total rebuild at the RB position. Normally this degree of churn would be cause for concern. Without veteran players carrying over from the previous year, there’s no one in the position room to help new additions digest the new offense they’ve walked into. But with the Cowboys coaching staff possibly churning themselves, that’s not really an issue because everyone could be learning a new offense regardless. Normally this would be a concern heading into free agency as well. A team without a proven backstop on the depth chart could approach free agency desperately. The 2025 free agent class doesn’t appear particularly strong so RB-hungry teams like Dallas could find themselves in a bidding war. Then again, the Cowboys have seemingly devalued the position since amping up their analytics department over the past two years and may just see who slips through the cracks instead. Normally this would put a truckload of pressure on the NFL draft since the Cowboys would no longer be able to take a best player available (BPA) approach and be forced to draft for need. But that draft philosophy really wouldn’t be much different than it’s been the last few years. The Cowboys have been extremely transparent in their position targeting as of late. They leave massive holes heading into the draft and act aggressively to fill those holes with their picks. It may not be the wise thing to do but at least it’s familiar to this front office. Hunting for a rookie RB capable of starting on Day 1 is well within their ability, especially since the 2025 NFL draft class is deep at the RB position. The Cowboys don’t have to panic and pick one with their first pick, they can wait a few rounds for value to come to them. Each round will inevitably signal a rise in panic levels across the fanbase but it’s not impossible to find starting RBs in the later rounds of the draft. Everything is setting up for major changes at the RB position in Dallas but given the potential turnover in the coaching ranks and the depth in the draft, there’s reason to believe the Cowboys can handle it. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Cowboys Headlines: Dollars and cents of Rush-vs-Lance, Micah Parsons on injury report
Updates: Micah limited in practice Thursday :: The Mothership Link Parsons was added to the Thursday report with a wrist issue. He said he took a shot to the ribs from Saquon Barkley in Week 17 but shrugged off the severity of that injury. “For the most part,” he said, “I’m good and I’m looking forward to finishing the season strong.” Mazi Smith also popped up on the report with a pelvis injury. Money or development? Contract quirk could impact Cowboys’ Cooper Rush-Trey Lance decision :: Dallas Morning News Link Cooper Rush stands to earn a $500,000 bonus if he plays in 55% of the Cowboys’ snaps this season. He’s 65 plays away, with the offense averaging 64.3 plays per game. But Trey Lance is still sitting there, hoping for an opportunity before hitting free agency. Do the Cowboys stick with the known commodity of Rush and just fork over his incentive? Or do they use the season finale as a make-or-break moment for Lance’s future with the club? Mike McCarthy on this possibly being his final Cowboys’ home game: I’m definitely aware :: ProFootballTalk Link The coach acknowledged that Sunday could be his final game with the Cowboys. “I won a Super Bowl in that home locker room at AT&T Stadium,” McCarthy said. “So, I have a very strong emotional attachment that it hits me every time I walk in there and every time I walk out. So, yeah, I’m definitely aware of it.” He maintains he’s not thinking about much beyond beating Washington, but he admitted he’s “in tune” with the obvious importance of the coming moment. Final Mike McCarthy Replacement Rankings: Who should be Cowboys head coach in 2025? :: Cowboys Wire Link The speculation and the waiting is about to kick into a whole ‘nother gear. McCarthy might be staying put in 2025, but if Jerry Jones decides to make a change, Dallas will be the biggest tent at the offseason circus. Names to watch could include anybody from Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Georgia’s Kirby Smart (pretty unlikely) to Cowboys alums Deion Sanders or Kellen Moore to hot coordinator prospects Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik, or Brian Flores. Cowboys front office confirms no hurry to discuss McCarthy’s future :: Jon Machota Report: Mike McCarthy could set sight on Chicago Bears if Cowboys move on :: Blogging the Boys Link Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been said to have interest in the Chicago head job, but some sources believe McCarthy could be eyeing a possible return to the NFC North if he and the Cowboys part ways. Of the three current openings- the Bears, Jets, and Saints- Chicago is thought to be the most opportune posting, given the current players on the roster. The presence of a young talent at quarterback in need of development could be a serious draw for McCarthy. Commanders not planning on resting starters vs. Cowboys, going for 6th seed :: Commanders Wire Link If Washington beats Dallas in the season finale, they claim the No. 6 seed in the NFC, regardless of what anybody else does. That is precisely Dan Quinn’s plan. “Yeah, we’re going to go after as hard as we can,” Quinn said. “We recognize having a six seed and going into the playoffs with that is a good thing. And so, we’re going to fight like hell to keep that.” 5 Cowboys named to 2024 Pro Bowl :: Cowboys Wire Link Despite a disappointing season for the team, a handful of Cowboys will be honored for their individual efforts. Kicker Brandon Aubrey, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, edge rusher Micah Parsons, guard Tyler Smith, and return specialist KaVontae Turpin were all selected to represent the NFC as all-stars. All were Pro Bowlers last season as well. Cowboys veteran CB Jourdan Lewis wins team’s annual ‘Good Guy Award’ :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Lewis received the team’s Good Guy Award, voted on by the Dallas chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association for his cooperation with the media over the course of the season. “It’s just to represent the team well, to make sure that the brand is protected, and make sure that my teammates are protected,’’ Lewis said. “Whenever I get a chance, when you want to talk to me win, lose or draw, I want to make sure I put my best foot forward for everybody that’s involved with this organization.’’ Inside Ezekiel Elliott’s turbulent return to the Dallas Cowboys that led to his awkward release :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Elliott’s return to Dallas never felt like it would end well. He was immediately thrust back into a starring role both on and off the field, but the 49 yards he picked up in Week 1 turned out to be his last best moment wearing a star. He struggled with fewer touches and seemed to be holding back the progress of Rico Dowdle, and he was finally benched for habitual tardiness. He visibly lost support in the locker room and finally became a non-factor in the team’s game plans. It ended with him asking to be released; he’s now free to join any squad that wants him. When fans look back at Elliott, it will be for the years he wore No. 21, not the awkward partial season in No. 15. Cowboys’ Dak Prescott taking security seriously amid break-ins :: ESPN Link Prescott says the $40,000 worth of merchandise recently stolen from his fiancée’s car shouldn’t be tied to the string of break-ins at the homes at several pro athletes, but he admits he’s taken precautions regarding his own family’s security. “I’ve always understood who I was or where I was, especially being the quarterback of this team and targeted that I am, whether it be for a natural robbery or whether it be for losing a game and whatever,” Prescott said. “I’ve understood the position that I am in. So, for me it’s more about the day and now protecting my fiancée and my daughter.”
2025 Draft Order Projections: Every combination of Week 18 results that impact Cowboys’ slot
2025 Draft Order Projections: Every combination of Week 18 results that impact Cowboys’ slot K.D. Drummond TL;DR While most attention this weekend will go towards playoff positioning, the Dallas Cowboys are in a scramble for draft position superiority. There are nine teams which could finish between No. 11 and No. 17 in the draft order and 64 total combinations. Dallas’ floor and ceiling is the No. 16 pick; their ceiling is the No. 12 pick. If Dallas wins, No. 13 is the earliest in the draft they can pick. If Dallas loses, they can end up no worse than No 13. The Cowboys can only pick No. 13 if Arizona beats San Francisco. The most common outcome, based on win/loss combinations is the Cowboys select No. 12, with 16 possible outcomes. The 2024 NFL regular season is almost over and there’s plenty left to be determined. Each conference has already locked in six of their seven contestants for the postseason tournament. Kansas City has locked up the AFC No. 1 seed, Buffalo the No. 2 seed and Houston is locked into the No. 4 seed. The AFC North is a battle between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, with the Steelers opponent Cincinnati trying to overtake the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins for the final wild-card spot. While the No. 1 seed in the NFC is the biggest result in waiting, with Minnesota and Detroit battling for NFC North supremacy. The Eagles and Rams have clinched their divisions, with Washington locked into a wild-card berth and Atlanta (vs Carolina) and Tampa Bay (vs New Orleans) are chasing the NFC South crown. But those aren’t the only stakes this weekend. Draft order is on the line and there are seven teams jostling to determine the final order in the middle of the round. The San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys are all in contention to finish anywhere from No. 11 to No. 17. Technically the Bucs and Broncos are in this conversation as well, but if either or both fail to qualify, they would finish at the back of this cluster so we’ll leave them out of the conversation for intents and purposes. With the 49ers and Cardinals facing each other, there are 64 different combinations of final results, excluding ties. In the other matchups, Dallas takes on Washington, Indianapolis faces the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami plays the New York Jets, Cincinnati squares off with the Steelers and Atlanta tackles the Carolina Panthers. Here’s each different scenario, categorized by where the Cowboys would draft in the first round based on the specific set of results. Dallas win scenarios (8-9) Dallas picks No. 12 if: There are no scenarios where Dallas wins and finishes No. 12. Dallas picks No. 13 if: AZ+CIN+MIA wins, SF+IND+ATL loses AZ+CIN+MIA+ATL wins, SF+IND loses AZ+IND+MIA+CIN wins, SF+ATL loses AZ+IND+MIA+CIN+ATL wins, SF loses Dallas picks No. 14 if: SF+CIN+ATL+MIA wins, AZ+IND loses SF+IND+ATL+MIA wins, AZ+CIN loses SF+IND+CIN+MIA wins, AZ+ATL loses SF+IND+CIN+MIA+ATL wins, AZ loses AZ+CIN wins, SF+IND+MIA+ATL loses AZ+MIA wins, SF+IND+CIN+ATL loses AZ+MIA+ATL wins, SF+IND+CIN loses AZ+CIN+ATL wins, SF+IND+MIA loses AZ+IND+CIN wins, SF+MIA+ATL loses AZ+IND+MIA wins, SF+MIA+CIN loses AZ+IND+CIN+ATL wins, SF+MIA loses AZ+IND+MIA+ATL wins, SF+CIN loses Dallas picks No. 15 if: SF+CIN wins, AZ+IND+MIA+ATL loses SF+MIA wins, AZ+IND+CIN+ATL loses SF+MIA+ATL wins, AZ+IND+CIN loses SF+IND+CIN wins, AZ+MIA+ATL loses SF+IND+MIA wins, AZ+CIN+ATL loses SF+CIN+ATL wins, AZ+IND+MIA loses SF+IND+MIA+ATL wins, AZ+CIN loses SF+IND+MIA+ATL+CIN wins, AZ loses AZ wins, SF+IND+MIA+ATL+CIN loses AZ+ATL wins, SF+IND+MIA+CIN loses AZ+IND wins, SF+MIA+CIN+ATL loses AZ+IND+ATL wins, SF+MIA+CIN loses Dallas picks No. 16 if: SF wins, AZ+IND+MIA+CIN+ATL loses SF+ATL wins, AZ+IND+MIA+CIN loses SF+IND wins, AZ+MIA+CIN+ATL loses SF+IND+ATL wins, AZ+MIA+CIN loses Dallas loss scenarios (7-10) Dallas picks No. 11 if: SF+IND wins, AZ+ATL+MIA+CIN loses SF+IND+ATL wins, AZ+CIN+MIA loses SF+CIN+IND wins, AZ+ATL+MIA loses SF+CIN+ATL+IND wins, AZ+MIA loses SF+MIA+IND wins, AZ+ATL+CIN loses SF+MIA+ATL+IND wins, AZ+CIN loses SF+MIA+CIN+IND wins, AZ+ATL loses SF+MIA+CIN+IND+ATL wins, AZ loses Dallas picks No. 12 if: SF wins, AZ+IND+MIA+CIN+ATL loses SF+ATL wins, AZ+IND+MIA+CIN loses SF+CIN wins, AZ+IND+MIA+ATL loses SF+MIA wins, AZ+IND+CIN+ATL loses SF+CIN+ATL wins, AZ+IND+MIA loses SF+MIA+ATL wins, AZ+IND+CIN loses SF+CIN+MIA wins, AZ+IND+ATL loses SF+CIN+ATL+MIA wins, AZ+IND loses AZ+IND wins, SF+CIN+MIA+ATL loses AZ+IND+ATL wins, SF+CIN+MIA loses AZ+IND+CIN wins, SF+ATL+MIA loses AZ+IND+MIA wins, SF+ATL+CIN loses AZ+IND+CIN+ATL wins, SF+MIA loses AZ+IND+MIA+ATL wins, SF+CIN loses AZ+IND+MIA+CIN wins, SF+ATL loses AZ+IND+MIA+CIN+ATL wins, SF loses Dallas picks No. 13 if: AZ wins, SF+IND+CIN+ATL+MIA loses AZ+ATL wins, SF+IND+CIN+MIA loses AZ+CIN wins, SF+IND+ATL+MIA loses AZ+CIN+ATL wins, SF+IND+MIA loses AZ+MIA wins, SF+IND+CIN+ATL loses AZ+MIA+ATL wins, SF+IND+CIN loses AZ+MIA+CIN wins, SF+IND+ATL loses AZ+MIA+CIN+ATL wins, SF+IND loses Dallas picks No. 14 if: There are no combinations for Dallas to finish here if they lose. Dallas picks No. 15 if: There are no combinations for Dallas to finish here if they lose. Dallas picks No. 16 if: There are no combinations for Dallas to finish here if they lose. *ChatGPT was used to calculate all of the various win/loss combinations.
Final Mike McCarthy Replacement Rankings: Who should be Cowboys head coach in 2025?
The offseason is a mere few days away for the Dallas Cowboys. After getting embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with one of the five best records in the league last Sunday, the Cowboys are going to finish the season under .500 for the first time since 2020. The two seasons, both played without quarterback Dak Prescott for their majority, bookend the Dallas contract of head coach Mike McCarthy. Hired to replace Jason Garrett, McCarthy was charged with making Dallas into annual contenders and also finding the playoff success that has avoided them even during the good seasons. The former has been achieved; three healthy quarterback years delivering three seasons of 12-5 performance. The latter has still avoided them, with just one playoff victory in five years and lackluster performances in three of their four contests. As such, it’s more than likely time to change skippers for the Cowboys. The last hiring cycle took a while to get going, as Dallas waited over a week from the end of the regular season before hiring McCarthy. Time may be of the essence this cycle, as there could be upwards of seven or eight openings come early January. The Jets, Saints and Bears have already fired their head coaches. The Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, and Raiders could all be in that boat. There’s even an outside chance the Bengals and 49ers are looking for new leaders for their sidelines. And while Jerry Jones has generally focused on experience in his last four hires, where do things go this cycle? There’s a ton of guys with various amounts of experience as coordinators, though it’s hard to envision Jones hiring a Liam Coen of Tampa, whose called plays in the NFL just for one season, or Frank Smith of Miami who hasn’t done it at all. There are assistants who have been head coaches before, like Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Flores. There are former head coaches like Mike Vrabel, collegiate coaches like Deion Sanders and Kirby Smart, former Cowboys assistants like Kellen Moore and Wes Phillips, and that’s before the young guns like Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik, Joe Brady and others are even mentioned. It’s going to be a crazy upheaval in the NFL coaching ranks and if Dallas throws their hats in the ring, they will be the biggest tent at the circus. 22. Josh McCown, Minnesota Vikings QB Coach 21. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman 20. Liam Coen, OC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19. Ryan Grubb, Seattle Seahawks OC 18. University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart 17. Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers, DC 18. Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers, DC 15. Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos, DC 14. Adam Stenovich, Green Bay Packers OC 13 Cowboys current head coach Mike McCarthy Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports It has to be given consideration, but perhaps Jones and McCarthy are a match made in heaven. McCarthy has several endearing qualities and Jones can easily be convinced to give him another shot of righting the ship. 12 Vikings OC Wes Phillips Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips walks on the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Phillips has been instrumental in the improvement of Sam Darnold this season, and while Kevin O’Connell calls the plays, the biggest impediment to Phillips becoming a head coach was that he’s in the booth on gamedays and not down on the sideline. That changed in November. At 45, Wade Phillips’ son who was an assistant in Dallas for seven years to start his NFL coaching career (staying on with Jason Garrett after his dad was fired) has spent three years in Minnesota. If he were to make the jump, he’d need a defensive coordinator with head coaching experience by his side, but the idea shouldn’t be outright dismissed. 11 Colorado HC Deion Sanders Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders (right) talks with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports After great success at Jackson State with back-to-back SWAC championships, Sanders has quickly brought Colorado from obscurity to relevancy. 1-11 the season before, Sanders brought them to 4-9 in Year 1 and 9-3 in Year 2 before losing their bowl game to BYU. Sanders has always been given credence in this space as a real possibility and it will be interesting to see if he is as committed to his “never coach NFL” words as he claims to be. 10 Former NFL head coach Mike Vrabel Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a Titans penalty against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Vrabel was fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk Monday after having two losing seasons back-to-back. Vrabel is a defensive-minded head coach who was able to achieve strong levels of success in Tennessee with a veteran QB who wasn’t well regarded (Ryan Tannehill) prior to their time together. Known as a disciplinarian, pairing him with Dak Prescott would require finding the next big thing as offensive coordinator. Vrabel seems to fit as the coach with a ton of experience Jones is believed to prefer. 9 Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith at press conference at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Grabbing from a fruitful tree is always a wise idea, and snatching Smith from under Mike McDaniel as part of the Kyle Shanahan limb system seems like a wise call. Dallas rarely uses motion at the snap and isn’t particularly good at it; and that’s literally the forte of Smith. Doesn’t currently have play-calling duties
Cowboys Headlines: Will Trey Lance to start season finale? Roster shenanigans abound
Cowboys add DE to active roster, 2 to practice squad before season finale :: Cowboys Wire Link: Dallas completed a flurry of moves signing two players to their practice squad but it didn’t end there. The Cowboys also added a Super Bowl-winning defensive end with local ties to the DFW area. Jourdan Lewis not yet focused on NFL free agency, but wants to re-sign with Cowboys :: The Mothership Link: For eight seasons, Cornerback Jourdan Lewis has remained a Cowboys fixture, planting roots in what has become his home in the DFW area. Staying in Dallas is his preference but the coordinator-proof corner understands the NFL is a business. What Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said about burglary of fiancee’s vehicle :: Dallas Morning News Link: The recent string of athlete burglaries has risen, but Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott spoke about the $40,000 worth of property stone from his fiance’s car, saying it was not related to that ring of thefts. Updates: Cowboys sign All-XFL player to roster :: The Mothership Link: Dallas has a history of mining gold from the professional spring football league and the team is attempting to hit it rich again with the signing of 2023 All-XFL cornerback Luq Barcoo to their practice squad. In final press conference of season, Cowboys coach Mike Zimmer shows emotion, explains biggest regret of 2024 :: Fort Worth Star Telegram Link: Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer explained his biggest regret to the media in his final media availability of the season and wishes he would have done things his way as opposed to the status quo. High 5: Five players under evaluation in Week 18 :: The Mothership Link: Quarterback Trey Lance figures to be active Sunday landing him alongside guys like wideout Jonathan Mingo and rusher Deuce Vaughn in five players that will be under evaluation heading into the offseason. Cowboys starting QB for season finale vs. Commanders still up in the air :: The Dallas Morning News Link: Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush took over for injured starter Dak Prescott yey with Dallas eliminated from post-season contention, reserve QB Trey Lance has not been told he will start the final regular season game against Washington. Top NFL Draft prospects Cowboys fans should focus on during New Year’s Bowl games :: SI.com Link: Weekday football courtesy of the college football playoffs on New Year’s Day provided a great opportunity for Cowboys fans to get a sneak preview at the potential prospects Dallas could target in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. 3 questions after Cowboys’ loss to Eagles :: Blogging the Boys Link: Who should start at quarterback for Dallas in the season finale is only the first of three things Cowboys fans are asking. Worrying about wideout number two in 2025 and tight end Jake Ferguson are the other questions after an embarrassing loss to Philadelphia. Ezekiel Elliott released: Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy explains why veteran RB’s return to Dallas didn’t work out :: CBS Sports Link: The emergence of undrafted free agent running back Rico Dowdle was the answer given by Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy explaining the biggest reason why Ezekiel Elliott is no longer in Dallas. Cowboys vs. Commanders Is Heavyweight Fight to Star Rookie :: Athlon Sports Link: Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels understands the storied rivalry between Washington and Dallas yet seeks retribution after losing to a motivated Cowboys squad just a few weeks ago. Dolphins sign OT Braeden Daniels off Cowboys’ practice squad, place Kendall Lamm on IR :: Pro Football Talk Link: Offensive tackle Braeden Daniels is signing with the Dolphins leaving Dallas after less than a month with the team. The journeyman signed with Dallas on December 12 after stints with three other teams this season.
Cowboys add DE to active roster, 2 to practice squad before season finale
Cowboys add DE to active roster, 2 to practice squad before season finale Todd Brock With just one game left to play before lockers are cleaned out for the long offseason, the Cowboys are still shuffling their roster, adding three players on New Year’s Day. Dallas signed defensive end Earnest Brown IV to the active roster on Wednesday. Brown is a homegrown product who played high school ball in Denton, Tex. before going to Northwestern as a four-star recruit. He was selected in the fifth round of 2021’s draft by the Los Angeles Rams and won a Super Bowl ring with that team as a rookie, though he never saw the field in his first year. The 6-foot-5-inch, 300-pounder remained with the Rams for two more seasons, getting in 12 games before becoming a free agent. He landed in Tampa Bay for the 2024 campaign and saw action in three midseason contests for the Buccaneers but played fewer than two dozen total snaps. While Brown will be eligible to play in Sunday’s season finale, his addition at this late date is more likely a signal that the Cowboys are interesting in inking the soon-to-be 26-year-old to a reserve/futures contract once the regular season is concluded. The Cowboys also signed two new faces to the practice squad. Cornerback Luq Barcoo has spent time with six NFL teams since 2020, though he’s appeared in just three games, all with Jacksonville that year. He also played with the San Antonio Brahmas, earning All-XFL honors for the 2023 season. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Guard Jack Anderson was also added to the practice squad. The 6-foot-4-inch Frisco native played collegiately at Texas Tech and went on to be drafted in 2021’s seventh round by the Buffalo Bills. He’s bounced around with five other clubs, most notably seeing time in 12 games for the Giants in 2022. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Management mum on McCarthy as Elliott season sunsets
Cowboys Headlines: Management mum on McCarthy as Elliott season sunsets angeltorres 2025 begins with an ending, as Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been released by Dallas for an opportunity to chase a ring with a contender. Elliott ranks among the greatest rushers in Dallas but his departure may not be the only Cowboy leaving. Head coach Mike McCarthy won’t address his future and neither will owner Jerry Jones. No matter who the coach is next season, this weekend’s game against Washington has viable draft positioning at stake. The Cowboys could pick just outside of the top 10 or slide to the back half of the teens. No matter the selection, Dallas would be wise to re-sign RB Rico Dowdle but his worth may complicate the matter. Finally, the Cowboys 2025 home opponents are finalized for the first headlines of 2025. End of the Road: Cowboys grant RB Ezekiel Elliott release :: Cowboys Wire Link: Cowboys fans may have seen Ezekiel Elliott in a Cowboys uniform for the last time as Dallas has released the former 2016 top-five pick in hopes of latching on with a contender for the final piece to a good career. Jerry says feelings for Zeke ‘will never change’ :: The Mothership Link: Running back Ezekiel Elliott’s lack of recent production shouldn’t diminish what he accomplished in his first few seasons in Dallas. A somber ending “will never change” how Cowboys owner Jerry Jones feels about Elliott. Where Ezekiel Elliott ranks among Cowboys’ all-time running backs :: The Dallas Morning News Link: The likely conclusion to running back Ezekiel Elliott’s career in Dallas places him among the rushing elite for the Cowboys. The veteran rusher ranks third in many statistical categories in team history. Jerry Jones says he is ‘not under any unusual timeframe’ to make decision on future of coaching staff :: Fort Worth Star Telegram Link: Dallas seems intent on dragging out yet another important decision as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t want to comment one way or another, about the status of head coach Mike McCarthy and the rest of the Dallas coaching staff. Cowboys Today: Why Rico Dowdle’s season is so impressive, and weighing his future :: The Athletic Link: Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was able to get the ground game going for Dallas and even reached the 1,000-yard plateau. The soon-to-be free agent will fuel interesting debates about his worth on the market. Does Jerry Jones even know how to conduct a coaching search for Cowboys? :: The Dallas Morning News Link: Questions remain whether or not Dallas will retain head coach Mike McCarthy whose contract expires at the conclusion of the season. Repeating past mistakes doesn’t give much confidence for another coaching search. Complete 2025 Dallas Cowboys schedule nearly finalized :: SI.com Link: The actual schedule won’t be released until later this year but besides the yearly division opponents, the Cowboys are set to host the Chargers, Chiefs, Packers, Cardinals, and Vikings at AT&T stadium in 2025. Cowboys draft: Dallas up to pick number 13 entering final week of season :: Blogging the Boys Link: Dallas would have the 13th pick if the draft were to be held today. The Cowboys cannot reach the top ten in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft unless they make a trade yet cannot fall further than 17th either making for an interesting final week of the season. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
End of the Road: Cowboys grant RB Ezekiel Elliott release
End of the Road: Cowboys grant RB Ezekiel Elliott release K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys attempted to run it back one more time in 2024. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott went from Boyz II Men in this organization, and were looking for One More Dance. Unfortunately, that Full Circle mission has reached the End of the Road with the team being eliminated from the playoffs prior to their Week 16 contest and now playing out the string. After the Cowboys took an embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, 41-7, it was clear that the feel-good story of recovery from a 3-7 start had evaporated. On Tuesday, reality set in even further. Part of the “run it back” initiative was the re-signing of Elliott to once again join forces with Prescott. Released in 2023 as a cost saving measure, Elliott spent a season in New England with the Patriots. Brought back to be a locker room leader, Elliott hoped to have a key role in the Cowboys getting over the hump of playoff inadequacy. Neither happened, and Prescott was lost for the season early to a major hamstring injury. Elliott was initially part of a running back committee he was eventually phased out of and Dallas’ season was an abject failure. As such, Elliott requested his release from the Cowboys before the end of the regular season, and his request was granted. This according to Josina Anderson. With the beating NFL running backs take, the game will easily Pass You By, especially for someone with the amount of usage Elliott had during his first three seasons with the club. Leading the league in yards per game in each season, Elliott was in rarified air from 2016 through 2018. Only a six-game suspension in 2017 kept him from winning three-straight rushing titles. After rushing for 5,405 yards through his first four years, the workload took its toll, leading to Four Seasons of Loneliness from 2020 through 2023, gaining 3,499 yards and averaging just 3.9 yards a carry. This season, Elliott has averaged a career low 3.1 yards a tote while Rico Dowdle took over the lead back role and thrived over the last-half of the season. Elliott currently has 9,130 career rushing yards, good for 40th all time in the history of the NFL. His 8,488 yards in a Cowboys uniform are good for third best in team history behind just Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He’s earned a ton of respect for his efforts and demeanor over the years, something that has never been lost on owner Jerry Jones. As his career seemingly winds down, giving him the opportunity to latch on to a playoff contender is an honorable Thank You by the organization. Elliott would often spend time On Bended Knee in the end zone before each game, getting his head right and preparing for battle. Now he will look to do that for his third franchise. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Benched and Burned: How Trey Lance became a victim of Cowboys’ indecision
Benched and Burned: How Trey Lance became a victim of Cowboys’ indecision Jazz Monet It was just three offseasons ago when Trey Lance entered the NFL as a walking highlight reel—a quarterback dripping with potential and hype. Development now stalled, Lance is stuck on the Dallas Cowboys’ bench as the 2024 season winds down; reputation bruised and financial prospects bleak. The $22.4 million fifth-year team option from his rookie deal? Forget it. Even this year’s $5.3 million base salary has been labeled an overpayment. From a value-theory perspective, one has to wonder: Is Lance depreciating due to his own shortcomings, or has institutional neglect fostered his fall? Trey Lance: A Gamble Gone Wrong or Neglected Potential? Drafted third overall in 2021, Lance was a gamble from the start. Critics warned of his raw mechanics and limited experience at North Dakota State, but NFL analysts couldn’t resist his rocket arm and dual-threat potential. Zack Hicks hit the nail on the head; “If he is rushed into action with a weak supporting cast, it could kill his NFL career. If he ends up in a good situation that takes the time to develop him and work with him and has a proper plan in place… he could be outstanding.” San Francisco seemed to have such a plan in place—until injuries and the Brock Purdy Cinderella story shoved Lance aside. The trade to Dallas was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, it’s been more of a slow fade. Despite Mike McCarthy’s sermon about the importance of game reps and building chemistry with receiving targets for a quarterback’s development, Lance’s opportunities have been virtually nonexistent. With the Cowboys limping out of playoff contention, Dak Prescott sidelined for the season, and Cooper Rush serving as a serviceable-but-meh QB1, the stars seemed aligned for Lance to finally get some meaningful snaps. Instead, what Lance got was the equivalent of crumbs—and stale ones at that. Take the Texans loss, for example. Mike McCarthy admitted after the game that he regretted not giving Lance even a single series. Regret is nice, but it didn’t change the trend: Lance sits while the Cowboys fumble opportunities to develop him. Week 17 against Philadelphia was the tipping point. No playoff hopes. Cooper Rush struggling. An offense producing nothing but turnovers. It was the perfect moment to give Lance a real shot. Instead, he got three garbage-time snaps in a game that was long lost. Fans had tuned out before he ever hit the field, and who could blame them? McCarthy expressed regret, once again, claiming he considered inserting Lance one series earlier. That still would’ve been too little, too late. Besides, the real question isn’t about Sunday’s game but the recurring refusal to give Lance the reps he so desperately needs to develop. A Bleak Free Agency Ahead It’s not just about this week or this season. The lack of playtime has far-reaching consequences. Lance is now seen as a “bust” not because of what he’s done but because of what he hasn’t been allowed to do. Sure, entering the draft with so little college experience was a gamble on his part. And yes, his five interceptions in his only preseason start with the Cowboys didn’t help his case. But when NFL teams bring in a raw talent like Lance with no real plan for development, the responsibility shifts. One could say the system failed him, but the existence of that system in the NFL is looking more and more like a myth. What will this mean for the soon-to-be free agent? The promise of professional opportunity and financial gain that likely lured him to declaring for the draft in the first place is slipping away. As he heads toward unrestricted free agency in March, Lance’s story becomes a cautionary tale of how easy it is for NFL players to lose value and how little it matters whose fault it is when that happens. There’s one last chance for Lance to get meaningful reps and remind NFL fans—and front offices—that he still has potential: Sunday’s season finale against the Washington Commanders. When asked in Sunday night’s press conference who would lead the offense, Mike McCarthy played coy. For Lance’s sake, let’s hope his decision doesn’t lead to yet another postgame presser with words of regret.
Is Trey Lance playing today? Update for Cowboys backup QB
Is Trey Lance playing today? Update for Cowboys backup QB K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys 2024 season is mercifully coming to an end. There are now just eight days and two games remaining on the schedule, with the club being eliminated from the playoffs last week before they took to the field. The coaching staff, led by Mike McCarthy, deserves kudos for keeping the team engaged despite this fate being pretty much inevitable since early November. Dallas started out with a 3-7 record, but they fought for four wins in their last five games with the only defeat being a fluke, bone-headed late game screwup on a special teams play. With the club not being mathematically eliminated until Week 16, they approached their roster from the perspective of winning being the most important thing. Even though they were eliminated before they took the field against Tampa Bay last week, their week of preparation was done with the possibility they could still pull off a miracle. That hope is gone now, and it may impact whether or not fans get a regular-season glimpse of backup QB Trey Lance. Dallas sent a fourth-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for Lance, who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 for the 49ers. He wa unable to unseat Cooper Rush for the role of Dak Prescott’s backup and now is just eight days away from the end of his contract. The Cowboys have never tried to utilize his skillset as a running threat, not even in the vein of how the New Orleans Saints have deployed Taysom Hill over the years. The offseason was a maddening experience for the fanbase, as the club failed to not only avoid signing any impact free agents from the outside, but also failed to bring back many of their own. With contract extensions looming over their biggest stars in Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, the coaching staff were all on lame duck status. All in all, it forced several fans to be lose interest in the brand. One thing that united fans, though, especially under the looming 2025 of Prescott (at the time) was whether or not Lance had what it took to be the next franchise quarterback. Acquired towards the end of the 2023 offseason, Lance didn’t play that year, so no one really knew what to expect from him. As head coach Mike McCarthy avoids playing his stars in the preseason, Lance got plenty of snaps in the exhibitions and acquitted himself relatively well until the final performance when he bombed. He really hasn’t been seen since, which in a lost season where Prescott has been out with injury has frustrated fans even more. Nothing crystalized this animosity more than in Week 11, when in a blowout loss to the Houston Texans where Cooper Rush struggled mightily, McCarthy refused to let Lance get snaps. Now eliminated, the subject returns. Lance is a free agent, as is current starter Cooper Rush, in 2025. Rush’s ceiling is obvious; the offense is ridiculously dumbed down due to his arm talent limitations and lack of athleticism. Lance offers upside in that regard, with nowhere near the polish or experience Rush brings to the table. But with nothing to play for but intel, there’s no reason not to give Lance snaps that count. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
