The Dallas Cowboys concluded their 2024 season with countless questions about their future and coaching staff as they fell to the Washington Commanders 23-19 at AT&T Stadium. This loss capped off what can only be described as a disappointing season for head coach Mike McCarthy and his team, ending with a record of 7-10 and saddening stats like their famously poor 2-7 performance at home.
With the season done, the debate now turns to McCarthy’s future. Following the game, McCarthy expressed his desire to stay, stating, “Absolutely, I’m invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me.” His words carry weight as owner Jerry Jones is notorious for taking his time with decisions, particularly ones involving head coaching. Despite some of the discontent surrounding the Cowboys’ performance, McCarthy still believes he has solid ground to stand on, reminding everyone, “I’m a winner. I know how to win. I’ve won a championship.”
Jones confirmed he had not yet made up his mind about McCarthy’s fate, hinting at the possibility of prolonging the evaluation process. Cowboys fans are left anxious over whether their team will make swift changes or if they will linger under the shadow of uncertainty for weeks on end. The irony, of course, is palpable: they have plenty of time to think it through, but fans hope swift resolution will prompt decisive moves.
Being 82 years old, Jones has made it clear he enjoys making the call and intends to keep his general manager title. He quipped, "I bought the team for myself... I didn’t buy it for my kids." His long-term role as GM makes it evident he is reluctant to change course, even as the team’s performance raises many eyebrows.
The nature of this season has also placed other coaching staff members, like defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, firmly on the hot seat. With all assistant coaching contracts set to expire, fans wonder what will happen if McCarthy does not return. It could create turmoil, with many assistants likely to follow him out the door if he departs. Jones has pledged to involve himself heavily over the next few weeks by “visiting with coaches and players ad nauseam” to hear their perspectives and gauge the locker room's sentiment.
The team's draft position is also of concern as they look to improve next season. After their loss to the Commanders, the Cowboys managed to secure pick No. 12 for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, which is slated for late April. Picking just outside the top ten can be seen as both good and bad: they have potential to draft talent, but still remain on the fringes of premier prospect range.
For Jones, the offseason begins with serious reflections on team management. He mentioned the importance of assembling the right roster and taking accountability for this season’s outcome, saying, “If you don’t get there, then you’ve always got some second guessing.” His candidness may give fans hope; after all, cross-examination of the season could mean changes are coming, and not just of the coaching variety.
The Cowboys will also have to navigate free agency smartly, with 21 players on the brink of free agency come March. Key decision-makers will need to analyze whom they want to keep and whom to let go. Jones’ thoughts on contracts reveal he remains mostly optimistic, saying, “I like where we are… and I see some potential. We’ve got some commitments… cornerstones of what we ought to be considering.”
Cowboys fans have weathered rough seas before, and this offseason appears to be no different. A hopeful glance is set toward quarterback Dak Prescott, who embodies both the promise and pressure of high expectations. Whether he remains alongside new talents or faces more adjustments will undoubtedly dictate the Cowboys’ prospects for the future.
All signs point to some form of upheaval—be it coaching staff, roster changes, or strategic decisions leading to the draft. The question remains, will those changes empower the Cowboys to finally chase the coveted Super Bowl title? With the weight of the upcoming offseason resting heavy on Jones’ shoulders, only time will tell.
With every upcoming decision, particularly concerning McCarthy, the Cowboys must strive for alignment heading forward. Fans long for attention to priorities and winning, rather than the prolonged calculations and showmanship typically characteristic of Jones’ approach. If the Cowboys can find resolve amid the chaos, they may just put themselves back on track.
For now, the Cowboys look toward the offseason with cautious optimism, hoping for the changes necessary to turn their fortunes around—because the end of one season is merely the beginning of another, and the time for decisive action is now.