The clock is ticking for the Dallas Cowboys to end their Super Bowl drought. America Team knows how to thrive in the regular season but consistently comes apart when it matters the most: in the playoffs.
Will that change this season? Time will tell.
One thing is for certain, though: if the Cowboys don't go on a deep playoff run in 2024, it might be high time to blow it all up. It's been the same old song and dance for decades now and there's only so much more that the fanbase can take. Throw in that franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is on an expiring deal with the fact that Jerry Jones clearly isn't willing to go "all in," and it's easy to see that a much-needed rebuild could be on the horizon.
If a rebuild is on the way, don't count on certain players sticking around for it. After all, Dallas must get rid of those who are holding the team back if it means winning a title soon.
Here are four Cowboys who likely won't survive a potential 2025 rebuild.
1. HC Mike McCarthy
If the Cowboys want to start fresh in 2025, don't count on Mike McCarthy being the one to steer the ship.
McCarthy is skating on thin ice as he heads into the final year of the five-year deal he signed with Dallas back in 2020. There's no denying his regular-season success seeing as he's led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons. The issue comes with his lack of postseason success as the franchise owns a 1-3 playoff record with two one-and-done appearances under his guidance.
It's just hard to imagine McCarthy staying if the Cowboys suffer another early January exit. He's had some of the NFL's best offenses and defenses at his disposal over the last few seasons with nothing to show for it. It's safe to say that he wouldn't fare any better with a younger, more inexperienced roster during a rebuild.
And I even understand that McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, but that was well over a decade ago now. He's gone 6-9 in the playoffs since then while only winning multiple rounds once. Another postseason failure may be enough to decide that the 60-year-old doesn't have 'it' anymore.
Hopefully, McCarthy finds a way to buck the Cowboys' playoff woes. Otherwise, he'll likely need to look for another job in the New Year.
2. QB Dak Prescott
You weren't expecting to not see Dak Prescott on this list, right? After all, if a rebuild is happening, it all hinges on whether the veteran gunslinger stays or goes next offseason.
Prescott, 30, has been one of the NFL's best quarterbacks since being drafted 135th back in 2016. He's led the Cowboys to a 73-41 record over the years and only trails Tony Romo and Troy Aikman in franchise history when it comes to completions (2,595) and passing yards (29,459) while ranking second with 202 touchdown passes.
Nevertheless, Prescott's future in Big D is up in the air as he enters the final year of his four-year, $160 million deal. He also holds a no-trade clause on top of the Cowboys being unable to franchise tag him, meaning there's a solid chance that No. 4 will be one of 2025's most sought-after free agents.
It's just hard to imagine Prescott wanting to re-sign if the Cowboys plan to rebuild. While he hasn't been perfect throughout his career and some key losses were his fault, you can't blame the ex-Mississippi State QB for wanting a fresh start elsewhere. It isn't as if Jones & Co. have excelled at building a Super Bowl-contending team around him given that they haven't signed a major free agent in over 10 years.
Conversely, the Cowboys might be tired of Prescott's playoff shortcomings and may opt to move forward with a younger arm. Trey Lance, although unproven, is 23 and still on the roster while the 2025 draft class will offer Dallas more opportunities at a franchise QB.
In other words, if the Cowboys don't extend Prescott and fail to win multiple playoff rounds, expect to see a new face under center for a rebuild.
3. RG Zack Martin
Whenever a franchise begins a rebuild, older players tend to be the first ones to go. That's why I wouldn't be shocked if the Cowboys traded right guard Zack Martin if Dak leaves.
Martin, 33, remains as one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen ever since making his debut in 2014. To understand his dominance, the ex-Notre Dame blocker has been named All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 10 career seasons with the only time he failed to do so coming when he missed the final five games of the 2020 regular season due to a calf strain.
Martin's elite play resulted in his being awarded a six-year, $84 million contract extension ($40 million guaranteed) in 2018, making him the league's highest-paid guard at the time.
While it's hard to imagine a time when Martin wasn't on the Cowboys, his run could be coming to an end. There are only two more seasons remaining on his monster deal, meaning he'll hit free agency at the end of the 2025 campaign.
If the Cowboys want to avoid losing the elite guard for nothing, they could attempt to trade him next offseason. It'd be an example of the franchise doing right by a loyal player who's still looking to taste the glory that a Super Bowl victory brings. Martin isn't getting any younger, so sticking around for a rebuild might shut the door on any chances he has left.
Considering how the Cowboys had no issue walking away from Tyron Smith this offseason, Martin might not wind up being a Cowboy for life if a rebuild begins
4. DE DeMarcus Lawrence
Another long-time Cowboy who could move on in the event of a rebuild is DeMarcus Lawrence.
Drafted 34th overall by the Cowboys in 2014, Lawrence has been one of the league's more imposing defenders. Not only has the ex-Butler/Boise State product racked up 58.5 sacks, 278 solo tackles, and 20 forced fumbles over the years, but he's also a former All-Pro defender who has four Pro Bowl nods and even finished fourth in 2017 Defensive Player of the Year voting.
But like Prescott and Martin, Lawerence's time in the Lone Star State will likely end if there's a rebuild.
Spending a decade in Dallas means that Lawrence, 31, hasn't gotten to play in a Super Bowl, let alone an NFC Championship Game. He's been nothing but loyal to the franchise, signing a five-year deal worth $105 million in 2019 and even restructuring it to help the team save nearly $9 million last offseason. If the Cowboys plan to rebuild, he's more than proved that he deserves a chance at a ring elsewhere.
And even if Dallas wants to retain his services, they may not have a choice. Lawrence is set to become a free agent next offseason and could be inclined to see if the grass is greener on the other side if the Cowboys don't plan on being competitive.
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