The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 Season: A Year of Missed Opportunities and Tough Decisions
The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 season with high hopes, hoping to finally break their 29-year Super Bowl drought. With a talented roster that included stars like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and CeeDee Lamb, expectations were sky-high in Dallas. However, as the season unfolded, the Cowboys once again found themselves on the outside looking in as the NFL playoffs approached. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Cowboys’ 2024 campaign was marred by injuries, inconsistent play, and poor decisions, culminating in a disappointing 5-8 record that effectively eliminated them from playoff contention by December 9th.
One of the more striking moments in the season’s final stretch occurred during the Cowboys’ December 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Cowboys trailing late in the game, they caught a break when a punting attempt was deflected, setting up the offense in prime position with less than two minutes left. In what seemed like a golden opportunity to steal a victory, cornerback Amani Oruwariye made a critical mistake when he attempted to field the punt but muffed it back to the Bengals. Cincinnati recovered and scored the game-winning touchdown, all but sealing the Cowboys’ fate for the season.
“I won’t wish this on anybody,” Micah Parsons, one of the team’s few bright spots, said quietly in the locker room after the game. “You can’t even put that in words, bro.” The frustration of the moment, encapsulated by Oruwariye’s error, became a symbol of the Cowboys’ season—a year filled with unfulfilled potential, unfortunate events, and costly mistakes. This game wasn’t the sole reason for Dallas’s failure in 2024, but it certainly highlighted the flaws and missed opportunities that plagued their entire campaign.
The Injuries: A Major Factor in the Cowboys’ Struggles
Injuries, as always, played a significant role in the Cowboys’ struggles during the season. By the end of the year, five former Pro Bowlers were placed on injured reserve: Dak Prescott (quarterback), Zack Martin (offensive guard), DeMarcus Lawrence (defensive end), Trevon Diggs (cornerback), and CeeDee Lamb (wide receiver). These injuries represented a combined $90 million in cap space and were a major blow to the team’s chances of competing at the highest level. Prescott, in particular, was missed, as his leadership and ability to make plays were sorely lacking when he went down.
However, while injuries undoubtedly took their toll on the Cowboys, they weren’t the sole reason for the team’s failure. The injuries exposed existing weaknesses and placed even more pressure on a team that had already been inconsistent. It raised the question: Were injuries the only reason the Cowboys didn’t succeed in 2024, or was there more to the story?
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was quick to acknowledge that while injuries were a key factor, they were far from the only issue. “There’s no question you’d be really avoiding a fact if you didn’t acknowledge that the loss of Parsons—and the loss of Prescott, the loss of Lawrence—that those kinds of things didn’t make a difference,” Jones said. “Were they the only reason we didn’t have success this year? No, not at all. There’s all kinds of elements going on out there.”
Questionable Offseason Moves and a Struggling Offense
While injuries played their part, there were other issues, especially surrounding roster decisions made before the season. One of the primary concerns was offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s departure. Moore had been a key architect in the Cowboys’ high-powered offense in 2023, but his exit and the hiring of new offensive mind Mike McCarthy were met with some skepticism. McCarthy, known for his more conservative approach, never fully meshed with the Cowboys’ offensive personnel. The team took a significant step back in terms of offensive efficiency. Despite having a healthy CeeDee Lamb and a potentially explosive Tony Pollard in the backfield, the offense struggled to establish a consistent rhythm, especially when Prescott was sidelined.
The Cowboys also failed to address the offensive line issues, which have been a consistent problem for years. While the draft selections of Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe showed some promise, the line remained leaky, and Prescott was under constant duress. Meanwhile, the running game never fully took off, and Pollard, despite flashes of brilliance, was often hampered by the lack of consistent blocking upfront.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys saw an immediate drop-off under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. While Zimmer’s resume as a top-tier defensive coach is undisputed, his first season in Dallas was a bumpy one. The Cowboys’ defense, usually their strength, was slow to adjust, particularly in the first half of the season. The absence of Trevon Diggs in the secondary and DeMarcus Lawrence on the edge left big gaps in a defense that had once been feared by opponents.
In short, while the Cowboys had several pieces in place to compete at a high level, the failure to properly adapt to roster changes, a less effective offense under McCarthy, and inconsistent defensive play meant that Dallas couldn’t capitalize on their talent.
McCarthy’s Future and the Cowboys’ Crossroads
As 2025 begins, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a critical crossroads. The most immediate question surrounding the team is whether or not Mike McCarthy will return as head coach. McCarthy’s contract is set to expire, and the team’s failure to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive season under his watch has prompted calls for change. McCarthy, known for his Super Bowl win with the Green Bay Packers, has yet to replicate that success in Dallas.
Jerry Jones will have to make a tough decision. Does he bring McCarthy back for another season, or does he look for a new direction? McCarthy’s inability to create offensive consistency, coupled with the team’s overall underperformance in 2024, means his future is very much in doubt. Yet, Jones did acknowledge that the injury bug and other factors played a part in the disappointing season. “You can’t just point to one thing and say that was it,” Jones remarked, leaving room for McCarthy’s return if the owner feels that continuity could lead to a breakthrough in 2025.
Another important question is whether the Cowboys need to consider a full rebuild or if they can make a few key tweaks and remain competitive. With their core pieces—Prescott, Lamb, Parsons, and others—still in place, the Cowboys are not far from being contenders. However, the team needs to make smarter decisions in the draft, free agency, and coaching adjustments if they are to break through in the coming years.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity
The 2024 season was a missed opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys, who had the talent to go deep into the playoffs but fell short due to a combination of injuries, roster missteps, and coaching challenges. The muffed punt against Cincinnati perfectly encapsulated their season—an opportunity lost due to an avoidable mistake. Now, as the Cowboys enter 2025, the team faces crucial decisions about leadership, roster construction, and how to address the gaps that have kept them from reaching the Super Bowl for nearly three decades. Whether they choose to reload or rebuild, the Cowboys’ future remains uncertain, but they have one clear goal: to finally end the 29-year Super Bowl drought.
