2023 has been quite the year for the Dallas Cowboys. After an underwhelming 3-2 start to the campaign, the Cowboys are now 10-5 heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Detroit Lions, marking the franchise's third consecutive season with a double-digit win total.
Even though the Cowboys have been good enough to clinch a playoff spot and potentially challenge for Super Bowl LVIII, fans shouldn't get used to the status quo. The offseason begins in less than three months, meaning several Dallas players will likely be on their way out soon whether it's due to free agency or a trade.
With that in mind, here are five Cowboys who are likely leaving Dallas in the New Year.
5 Cowboys Not Returning to Dallas in the New Year
1. Trey Lance, QB
It's safe to say that Trey Lance has had quite the fall from grace. After the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks to the Miami Dolphins to draft Lance third overall in 2021, the former North Dakota State quarterback has only made eight appearances (4 starts) since then.
Once it was clear that Lance didn't have a future with the 49ers, the Cowboys acquired him for a 2024 fourth-round pick back in August.
While some fans thought the 25-year-old might usurp Cooper Rush for the backup QB job behind Dak Prescott, that hasn't been the case. Lance has spent his entire Dallas tenure as the team's third-stringer and likely won't see any action this season unless Prescott and Rush go down with injuries.
I just have a hard time buying Lance to stay with the Cowboys for the long haul. Even if he's relatively young, he hasn't shown that he has 'it.' He also carries a $5.3 million cap hit in 2024, which is a lot of money for a backup QB who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass in Week 2 of the 2022 season. Besides, Rush is also the more affordable option of the two next year at $2.875 million.
Lance's entire 2024 salary is fully guaranteed, meaning the Cowboys must find a trade partner if they don't want to eat any of his salary. A deal might be a long shot, but where there's a will, there's a way.
2. Tony Pollard, RB
Cowboys fans expected big things from Tony Pollard this season. The Memphis, TN native broke out in 2022 with 1,378 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns on 232 touches and was in a good spot to take another leap forward once Dallas parted ways with veteran rusher Ezekiel Elliott.
While Pollard has been solid at times this season, his play has left much to be desired as well. Despite tallying a career-high 219 carries through 15 games, both his rushing yard (886) and touchdown (5) totals are down from last year (1,007 and 9, respectively). He also hasn't caught a single TD pass yet even though he had three last season.
Pollard is scheduled to hit free agency in March and his Cowboys future is now up in the air. While being 27 is young in theory, it's also "old" by running back standards. Dallas' ground game took a step back this year, so it's entirely possible that Jerry Jones doesn't have faith in the situation improving as Pollard gets older.
The Cowboys could always give the backfield reins to Rico Dowdle or Deuce Vaugh next season. They could also turn to the draft if they believe a rookie rusher has a high enough upside to transition to an NFL offense.
With how quick NFL teams are to replace RBs these days, don't be shocked if the Cowboys go with a younger, cheaper option in 2024. As it stands, Spotrac lists Pollard's projected market value at $6.6 million per season.
3. Jourdan Lewis, CB
One of the shining aspects of the Cowboys' campaign has been the cornerback room. While Trevon Diggs (before his season-ending injury), Stephon Gilmore, and DaRon Bland are the main reasons behind that success, it seems like Jourdan Lewis didn't get the memo.
Lewis, who was drafted 92nd overall by the Cowboys in 2017, has been awful throughout the season. The 28-year-old has allowed 37 catches for 416 yards and three TDs on 61 targets and has allowed opposing QBs to play to a 97.4 passer rating — the highest mark of his career.
If that isn't bad enough, Pro Football Focus has Lewis as the Cowboys' worst-graded player in coverage (35.2) while his 42.5 overall defensive grade ranks fifth-worst among 123 qualified cornerbacks in the NFL.
Lewis is also heading to free agency this offseason and there's just no incentive for the Cowboys to bring him back. His best days are behind him and it's time for Dallas to move on.
4. Stephon Gilmore, CB
Unlike Lewis, Stephon Gilmore has actually been doing his job in the secondary.
The two-time All-Pro defender has been terrific, racking up 60 tackles, 12 defended passes (his most since 2019), and a forced fumbled so far. He also carries a 55.4% completion percentage and 80.8 passer rating when targeted, highlighting his ability to remain effective even in his 12th NFL campaign.
He's also PFF's No. 27-graded cornerback on the year.
But even with another impressive season under his belt, Gilmore's return next season isn't guaranteed. As it stands, Spotrac projects the Cowboys to be nearly $14 million over the salary cap in 2024, making it hard to imagine how they can re-sign Gilmore, who carries a $9.92 million cap hit this season.
Could he take a pay cut to stay in Dallas? Sure, but Gilmore is also 33 and likely doesn't have that many big paydays left. If another team is willing to pay a premium price for his services, chances are he'll be in another jersey next season.
5. Neville Gallimore, DT
It also wouldn't be surprising if Neville Gallimore's Dallas tenure came to an end this offseason.
Even though Gallimore showed a lot of potential when he was selected 82nd overall in 2020, he hasn't come close to matching the hype. The Ottawa, ON native has been quiet this season, registering only 14 tackles with one sack and a broken-up pass in 15 games without a start. His 26% defensive snap share further illustrates how he's falling out of favor with the coaching staff.
With his rookie contract coming to an end, there isn't much of an incentive to bring Gallimore back. The Cowboys' defense is too deep for him to earn any real playing time and the fact that his name was mentioned in trade rumors in October suggests that Dallas is open to parting ways.
Gallimore is only 26 years old and still has time to make a mark in the NFL. Nevertheless, the time to do so with the Cowboys is nearing its end and a change of scenery might be beneficial for all parties involved.
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