Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
A Disappointing 2024 Season for the Dallas Cowboys: Challenges, Decisions, and Missed Opportunities
The 2024 season was a frustrating one for the Dallas Cowboys, a team that had established a reputation for consistency with 12 wins in each of the past three seasons. Expectations were high, and with a roster boasting talent at key positions, the Cowboys seemed poised for another playoff run. However, despite flashes of brilliance, they ended the season with a disappointing 7-10 record, significantly underperforming relative to their previous years.
The Injury Struggles and Fighting Back
Much of Dallas’s struggles in 2024 could be attributed to injuries, particularly to key players. The season started off on the wrong foot as the team lost Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence for the remainder of the year. Prescott’s absence was particularly painful, as he had been the heart of the offense and a reliable playmaker for the Cowboys. His loss forced backups into prominent roles, and although the team had capable substitutes, none could fill Prescott’s shoes long-term.
Adding to the frustration was the absence of Micah Parsons for four games. Parsons, one of the most dynamic and disruptive players in the NFL, had a stellar season even with the missed games, showcasing his ability to impact a game from multiple spots on the field. However, without the full complement of defensive playmakers, the Cowboys were forced to lean on their remaining assets to keep the team afloat.
Despite these obstacles, the Cowboys deserve credit for their resilience. After a dreadful 3-7 start, they fought back and showed a remarkable degree of determination, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to overcome the early-season losses and inconsistency.
Draft Decisions: Offensive Line Moves and Missed Opportunities
In an attempt to solidify the future and improve key areas of need, the Cowboys made several strategic decisions during the 2024 NFL Draft, most notably their decisions to bolster the offensive line. Recognizing the need to protect Prescott and improve the running game, they traded back in the first round, acquiring an extra pick in the third round. With the 29th overall pick, they selected Tyler Guyton, a towering offensive tackle from Oklahoma, and with the 73rd pick, they chose Cooper Beebe, an interior lineman from Kansas State.
While Beebe was a solid addition, providing the Cowboys with exactly what they needed—competent, reliable play on the interior of the line—Guyton did not meet expectations. The rookie tackle struggled significantly throughout the season. He was often overwhelmed by more experienced pass rushers and failed to make a significant impact in both pass protection and the running game. His play was so erratic that he was eventually benched in favor of Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards at various points. This instability at the tackle position was a contributing factor to Dallas’s offensive inconsistency.
Guyton’s struggles left the Cowboys with one of their more glaring weaknesses in 2024. While Beebe played up to expectations and helped stabilize the interior line, Guyton’s inability to provide solid protection on the edge was a major disappointment. Dallas had hoped for a potential franchise cornerstone in Guyton, but his performance highlighted the difficulties of relying on rookies to step into significant roles, especially on the offensive line.
Ezekiel Elliott’s Return: A Mistake from the Start
One of the most controversial decisions of the 2024 season was the Cowboys’ decision to bring back Ezekiel Elliott—this time with the expectation that he could still be a viable starting running back. Elliott, once one of the league’s premier ball carriers, had seen his performance decline in recent seasons. The Cowboys had moved on from him before the start of the 2023 season, but after a year away from the team, they decided to bring him back, hoping to find some semblance of the star running back he once was.
This decision quickly proved to be a misstep. Elliott, now 29 years old, simply didn’t have the burst or explosiveness he once had. While the Cowboys thought they could use him in short-yardage and goal-line situations, Elliott proved to be ineffective even in that limited role. He finished the season with just 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry. For a team hoping to establish a balanced offense, Elliott’s performance was a huge disappointment. His lack of production was compounded by his off-field issues, including a one-game suspension for an undisclosed violation.
The Cowboys should have recognized that Elliott’s days as a feature back were behind him. While he could have been a useful role player in short-yardage situations, the expectation that he could still be a key part of the offense was unrealistic. His inability to contribute meaningfully on the field led the Cowboys to release him for the second time in his career, bringing an end to the chapter of his tenure in Dallas.
In hindsight, the Cowboys would have been better served looking elsewhere for a complementary back. The decision to bring Elliott back, especially with starter expectations, was a mistake that left the Cowboys with a void at running back throughout the season.
The Quarterback Situation and Dak Prescott’s Frustrations
One of the main issues facing the Cowboys this season was the play of Dak Prescott. Although Prescott was sidelined for a significant portion of the year, his performances prior to and after his return were frustrating. He continued to show flashes of his elite ability but often struggled with consistency, turning the ball over at inopportune times and failing to get the offense into a rhythm.
His struggles were compounded by the absence of a truly reliable running game, with Elliott’s lack of production putting more pressure on Prescott to carry the offense. While Prescott showed resilience, he didn’t always rise to the occasion, and his mistakes contributed to the Cowboys’ inability to finish off close games. Without a solid rushing attack and with injuries to key players, Prescott had to shoulder too much of the burden, and it took a toll on his overall performance.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Dallas?
As the Cowboys reflect on their disappointing 2024 season, there are several questions to answer moving forward. First, the team needs to address the issues with its offensive line. Although Beebe looks like a solid piece for the future, the failure of Tyler Guyton leaves a big question mark at tackle. The Cowboys will likely look to find more stability at this position in the offseason, either through the draft or free agency.
Second, the team needs to move forward from the Ezekiel Elliott era and find a more reliable running back who can contribute in all phases of the game. Whether through the draft or free agency, Dallas needs to find a back who can take pressure off Prescott and provide a consistent ground game.
Finally, the Cowboys need to focus on improving their offensive scheme and developing a more balanced approach. The defense, led by Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and others, showed great promise, but the offense simply couldn’t keep pace. With a healthy Prescott and better offensive line play, Dallas has the potential to bounce back in 2025, but it will require significant changes in personnel and strategy.
The 2024 season will go down as a lost year for the Dallas Cowboys, but it offers a chance for reflection and improvement. With the right moves in the offseason, the Cowboys could quickly rebound and re-enter the conversation as one of the NFL’s top teams. However, it will require a clear-eyed reassessment of personnel decisions and an honest evaluation of where the team can improve. The road to redemption starts now.
