Superstar's Trade Request Shows Cowboys Bleak Future if Struggles Continue

Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; (L to R) Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie before the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; (L to R) Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie before the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett shook the NFL when he formally requested a trade on Monday morning. The news came as a shock to many around the league, who had watched Garrett become a franchise pillar only to become increasingly frustrated with his team’s futility toward winning a Super Bowl.

It feels like news that is interesting from afar. But for the Dallas Cowboys, Myles Garrett might as well be the Ghost of Football Future. The Cowboys' struggles have been well-documented over the last 30 years and if they don’t turn things around, it could lead to a similar situation with one of their own stars.

Dallas Cowboys’ Futility Could Have Micah Parsons Following Myles Garrett’s Blueprint

The Cowboys established themselves as the NFL’s premier franchise in the 1990s winning three Super Bowl titles in four years. While those championships factor into Dallas’s rich history, it also represents the last time they were relevant in their chase for another title.

Dallas lost in the divisional round the following year and didn’t win another playoff game until the defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round in 2009. But the Cowboys haven’t advanced to a NFC Championship Game since winning the Super Bowl nearly 30 years ago and have found themselves at a crossroads considering their next wave of superstars.

The biggest question could surround edge rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons has turned into one of the NFL’s elite defensive players since coming into the league in 2021, collecting 52.5 sacks. That total would be higher if he didn’t miss four games due to injury last season and he’s due an extension that will likely make him the highest-paid defender in NFL history this offseason.

At 25 years old, there’s no reason to think Parsons will sign on the dotted line and try to get the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl. But their recent history suggests it might be a tall task to get them back to that point.

Mike McCarthy lost his job after a disappointing 7-10 campaign but he at least had the Cowboys in position to make a run in the playoffs during his tenure. While he started with a 6-10 record in 2020, McCarthy rattled off three straight 12-win seasons from 2021 to 2023 before the bottom dropped out last fall.

Losing Parsons didn’t help the Cowboys but neither did a series of questionable decisions. After building the Cowboys dynasty in the 90s, Jerry Jones has defiantly held onto his position as general manager. After deciding not to re-sign McCarthy after his contract expired this year, he decided to hire Brian Schottenheimer who has had his own polarizing hires while constructing his coaching staff.

The Cowboys also have multiple holes on their roster including defensive tackle, offensive line and corner back but are currently sitting $2 million over the salary cap before Parsons gets his new contract. There’s also a pair of top-dollar deals to Dak Prescott (four years, $240 million) and CeeDee Lamb (four years, $136 million) that make filling those needs difficult.

When looking at the Cowboys, it’s fair to wonder if they can improve on their disappointing year. It’s also a question whether Schottenheimer and his staff can elevate the Cowboys back to playoff contention like McCarthy did for most of his tenure, which is something that Parsons called upon as he was cleaning out his locker at the end of the year.

“We have a great opportunity,” Parsons said. “I want to see change. I want to see players here. I want to see some of these [in-house free agents] back in this locker room. I want to be as aggressive [in free agency] as we can be.”

It’s clear that Parsons still has his eyes on helping Dallas and even said he feels like he has “one of the best jobs in America.” The Cowboys could even try and trade for Garrett to give him some help. But how long does that feeling last if the Cowboys aren’t getting close to reaching the Super Bowl?

For Garrett, the answer was to demand his way out of Cleveland. If things don’t change, Parsons could do the same thing in Dallas.

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