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7 Cowboys Playing Their Way Out of Dallas' 2025 Plans

The losses continue to pile up for the Dallas Cowboys. Unless things change, these seven Cowboys may have already played themselves out of the franchise's 2025 plans.

By Devon Platana

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates his first down run against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates his first down run against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images / Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
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Dallas Cowboys fans hoped that last week's bye was the perfect opportunity for head coach Mike McCarthy to get his players back on track. Instead, the Cowboys' Week 9 return saw them fall 30-24 to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium, dropping the franchise's record to 3-4 in the 2024 NFL season.

The Cowboys have qualified for each of the last three postseasons, however, that streak is in jeopardy of ending if things don't change quickly. While certain players have lived up to expectations, others have struggled to prove they belong on the 53-man roster.

In other words, some players' future in Dallas hinges on how they finish the campaign. If they can't show any signs of improvement, they likely won't be back with America's Team next season.

With that in mind, here are seven Cowboys who are playing themselves out of the team's 2025 plans.

1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB

The Cowboys needed some serious running back help this offseason. Instead of bringing in a proven game-changer like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, owner/general manager Jerry Jones opted to turn back the clock by signing Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year contract.

Based on how he's performed in recent years, most fans knew that they weren't getting Elliott's prime version on the field this season. Although he made a lot of great memories in Dallas, this is an aging runner who just averaged a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry in 2023.

It turns out that pessimistic fans were right because Elliott has looked like a shell of his former self this season. The former Ohio State RB has only tallied 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries across seven games. His efficiency is even worse this time around, highlighted by his new personal worsts in yards per carry (3.1) and rushing yards per game (21.3).

There just isn't a reason to bring Elliott back next season. As beloved as he's been in Dallas throughout his career, continuing to roster him does more harm than good. Let the 29-year-old veteran soak in his final games in a Cowboys jersey because chances are he doesn't have much more of an NFL future.

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