The Dallas Cowboys have had a disappointing 2024 season. After three straight 12-win seasons, the Cowboys are set to finish the season with a losing record.
The Cowboys' failure to put together a winning season in 2024 is a result of the roster Jerry Jones failed to build. Last offseason, the Cowboys needed to add more talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and Jones only signed a few free agents. If Jones wants the Cowboys back in the Super Bowl conversation, he will need to make massive changes to the team.
With that in mind, here are five Cowboys who could be leaving Dallas in 2025.
1. Brandin Cooks
The Cowboys acquired Brandin Cooks via trade before the start of the 2023 season to be a compliment to CeeDee Lamb. In 2023, Cooks played 16 of 17 games, recording 54 receptions on 81 targets for 657 yards and eight touchdowns.
That's solid production from Cooks, who was 30 in 2023, especially when Lamb recorded over 100 receptions and 1500 yards. Unfortunately, Cooks has had a rough 2024, recording only 23 receptions on 45 targets for 234 yards and three touchdowns.
Cooks' unproductivity this season comes down to two major factors. First off, he suffered a grade-one knee strain leading up to Week 5, which caused him to miss seven games. Cooks' play was bound to take a hit after suffering a knee injury at 31 years old.
Upon his return, Cooks looked slower and had trouble getting open. Now, Cooks' issues getting open could also have a bit to do with the play calling, but injury sure doesn't help.
While it seems Cooks has fallen out of favor in the Cowboys receiving room, players like KaVontae Turpin have made explosive plays. Additionally, the Cowboys traded for former Carolina Panthers second-round pick Jonathan Mingo at the trade deadline this year.
Clearly, the Cowboys believe that Mingo can become part of their future at wide receiver. Taking all that into account, it's hard to see a world where a 32-year-old Cooks returns to the Cowboys.
2. Mike McCarthy
Head coach Mike McCarthy's future with the Cowboys is in an interesting spot. Heading into this season, McCarthy was in the final year of his deal, making him a lame-duck coach.
McCarthy's future with the Cowboys being in doubt before the season isn't that big of a surprise. Although he had helped the Cowboys make three consecutive playoff appearances, they failed to make it to championship Sunday each time, with two of the three appearances being one-and-done in the wild-card round.
On top of that, Jones has a reputation for being indecisive on head coaches heading into the final year of their deals. Jones has continued to go back and forth with his stance on McCarthy during this season.
Jones has both criticized and praised McCarthy this season. During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Jones said, 'We're designing bad plays, we're designing bad concepts,' ahead of their Week 8 game against the 49ers.
Then, in December, on the same radio show, Jones teased that Mike Zimmer could return as the defensive coordinator and McCarthy could return as the head coach. Jones had this to say about McCarthy, "Mike [McCarthy] has shown that his team can handle adversity."
Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on if Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer are tied together:
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) December 17, 2024
“In a way, I do. I think you’re beginning to see some of the best [of Mike Zimmer] but maybe the best is still ahead of us.”
“Mike [McCarthy] has shown that his team can…
Although those statements are months apart, Jones flipping his sentiment towards McCarthy doesn't make sense. When Jones made the second comment, the Cowboys were 5-8 on the season, so admitting he handles adversity well when the team is three games under .500 seems like hollow words.
Even if Jones meant his second comment, it's hard to see the Cowboys retaining McCarthy given that he hasn't reached a conference championship with the Cowboys. Ultimately, Jones wants to win another Super Bowl, but McCarthy doesn't seem like the coach who will achieve that in Dallas.
3. Trevon Diggs
Trevon Diggs being on this list might come as a surprise to a lot of people, given the massive deal he got last season. Diggs received a five-year $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2023; however, since then, things have not gone as planned for Diggs.
Heading into Week 3 of the 2023 season, Diggs tore his ACL during practice, ending his season. Although losing Diggs that early in the season was heartbreaking, at least his recovery timetable meant he would be back for the start of the 2024 season.
This season, Diggs was putting together a decent season before suffering another injury. According to PFF, Diggs had a 64.7 reception percentage, 35 tackles, and two interceptions. Even though Diggs wasn't making the splash plays he did in 2022, his 2024 reception percentage is 3.6 points higher than it was in 2022.
Unfortunately, Diggs' season was cut short after he sustained another knee injury in their Week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Diggs yet again injured his left knee, which is the same knee that he tore his ACL in.
Following that injury, it came out that the Cowboys weren't too thrilled with how Diggs' rehab from his ACL tear went.
"I can tell you that the Cowboys were not happy with the way he (Trevon Diggs) attacked his rehab" - @clarencehilljr with us.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@timeforjeffrey) December 15, 2024
Says Trevon's new knee injury is serious and 2025 is in danger.
The Cowboys' displeasure with Diggs' recovery, paired with the fact he could miss all of 2025, might lead to a trade. Diggs is owed $14.25 million next season and even more going forward. If he is set to miss next season, moving on might be a smart idea, given that DaRon Bland's contract is also coming up in 2025.
There isn't a scenario where the Cowboys keep both players and if Bland's going to be healthy, then it might be smart to part ways with Diggs and extend Bland. Although trading away Diggs would be bittersweet for the fans, it might be in the best interest of the team.
4. Zack Martin
The Cowboys selected Zack Martin with the 16th pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Since then, Martin has been a stalwart at right guard for the Cowboys. Throughout his 11-year career, Martin has earned All-Pro honors nine times and been selected to nine Pro Bowls.
Unfortunately, the 34-year-old was placed on injured reserve on December 9 due to an ankle injury. Martin also seemingly played through a shoulder injury this season. These injuries limited Martin to ten games in 2024.
Although Martin still has one year left on his contract, his status for next season is still very much in question. The most likely outcome for Martin at the conclusion of this season is that he retires. While calling it a career after an injury isn't something most athletes do it might be smart for Martin.
Given that Martin's body is deteriorating, and his play has dropped off, it's better to be well-remembered when you retire.
On the other hand, if Martin decides to continue playing, the Cowboys could look to cut him. If Martin were to be cut, the Cowboys would take on a $10.655 million cap hit. That's a decent amount of money for a team that needs all the money that it can get.
Additionally, the Cowboys cutting Martin is unlikely, given how much everyone respects him. Yes, the NFL is still a business, but I don't think Jones would disrespect a Cowboys legend in Martin like that.
However this ends up playing out, Martin will always have a special place in Cowboys fans' hearts.
5. Ezekiel Elliott
After spending a season in New England, the Cowboys re-signed Ezekiel Elliott this past offseason. In 2023, Elliot rushed the ball 184 times for 672 yards and three touchdowns with the Patriots. However, much of Elliot's work came in short-yardage situations, and while Rhamondre Stevenson was hurt.
Although Elliot had a decent output with the Patriots, he lacked explosiveness, which is why the Cowboys released him in the first place. Thus, when they re-signed him, it left fans scratching their head. What did Jones think he would get out of Elliot to help this bad Cowboys run game?
The answer ended up being not a thing. This season, Elliot has carried the ball 74 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns. The money Jones spent on Elliot should have gone to a player who could have actually helped the Cowboys.
Elliot signed a one-year deal worth $2 million to come back to the Cowboys. While that's not a lot of money, if it was allocated better, maybe the Cowboys wouldn't be below .500 this season.
Elliiot's performance definitely doesn't merit a return in 2025. That will leave the Cowboys with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn at running back. Given where the Cowboys are projected to draft this season, it has led many people to speculate whether they would draft Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
If Jeanty ended up being the selection, it would be similar to drafting Elliot in 2016. It would provide an explosive player with both power and speed, which the Cowboys desperately need out of the backfield.