Three burning questions for the 2024 Dallas Cowboys
Following one of the least dramatic offseasons in recent memory, the Dallas Cowboys appear to have more questions than answers heading into 2024.
1. Who receives the next contract?
The Cowboys exercised linebacker Micah Parsons’ $21.3 million option for 2025, one year after acquiring a $17.99 million option for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2024. While Parsons is under contract for another two years, Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott are unsigned beyond next season.Whether he’s on the team or not, Prescott already accounts for $40M of the Cowboys’ 2025 salary cap. That and his 2023 performance should be enough for the team to accomplish something. At 30 years old, Prescott finished second in MVP voting after leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes last season.
2. Will the offensive line be ready?
The Cowboys drafted Oklahoma right tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round to replace long-time left tackle Tyron Smith who signed with the Jets. They drafted Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe in the third round to replace Tyler Biadasz who left for Washington. At 6-foot-7 and 328 pounds, Guyton has ideal size but little experience at left tackle. Beebe played all over the line with the Wildcats but never at center. Both should need time to adjust to NFL pass-rushers, something the Browns aren’t likely to give them. This year, the Cowboys will open the regular season in Cleveland, home of the league’s No. 1 defense and three-time All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. The Browns had the NFL’s sixth-most sacks (49) in 2023 and could have a fast start if Beebe and Guyton aren’t ready.
3. How much does Zeke have left? Rather than draft a running back to replace Tony Pollard who signed with the Titans, the Cowboys re-signed Ezekiel Elliott after one season with the Patriots. Elliott may be third on the team’s all-time leading rushers list (8,262), but he finished 2023 with career lows in yards (642) yards per carry (3.5) and touchdowns (3). Of course, the soon-to-be 29-year-old isn’t likely to carry the load like he did with 1,881 carries in seven years with the team, but if fellow running back Rico Dowdle can’t pick up the slack, Elliott could be in for a long season.
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