There is zero hope of any change for 5-6 years minimum

[CowboyoWales]

well on the optimistic (homer) side, our very talented line can put it together and not play like one of the worst units in the league. be it through the natural progression of a raw prospect like guyton, or sensible / optimal lineup configuration it’s hard not to believe they can / will be markedly better.

while all teams deal with injuries, law of avgs suggests we won’t be decimated to the levels we have been this year. strictly focusing on the dl we lost our top four in succession. i’d say over the past few years, the team has actually done a fairly remarkable job of next man up (imo) when injuries strike, but when they hit the entirety of a position group, that’s a tall order and fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again next year.

this team has historically loved top shelf running backs as part of their identity. and while i’m not wanting to spend the capital for a jeanty, i am hoping / assuming they prioritize injecting some talent, and believe that will pay considerable dividends.

lastly HIGH DRAFT POSITIONING. we rarely have it. for a team that relies on the draft, drafting in the 20s and high 20s year to year is a severe handicap. every team that we envy and say “_____ has rebuilt and passed us”, in almost every example it’s due to having high draft picks and hitting on them. with the exception of zeke, who was a MONSTER for a few years, our top 15 player selections are A+++ over the past 15 years or so when we have them. Tyron, Zack, Micah, Zeke. Each had an immediate and identity providing impact. Throw a guy like Mason Graham or a Travis Hunter in the mix and I can see a massive rippling effect. Not to mention the way to combat outsized cap spending is to replenish with young cheap talent through the draft, and picking highly each round is the absolute best opportunity to do that.

so yeah, call the past couple of years fools gold, or favorable schedule, or whatever you like, it’s difficult to win 12 games, let alone three years in a row, so i’m banking on being a talented roster that had a lost season compounded by a myriad of factors, bouncing back with some highly drafted juice injected, a favorable schedule (lol) and a reversal of fortunes.

In some ways I can hear Jerry giving the same speech. I actually agree that we have a year under a new HC and see whether there's a bounce.
The stark reality is we're bottom 1/3rd in CAP, so we aren't going to make a big splash in free agency (nor should we spend just to get to average).
Add in the near certain fact that Dak isn't getting another extension which means restructuring should be seriously curtailed (unlike the last contract, where it was inevitable he'd get another contract into which we could kick the can).
What's killing us (well after Jerry) is that two of our elite contracts are paid well above their output and we're losing a number of starters in the next couple of years, which we've not got any replacement lined up.....Rico, Zack, Tyler (LT contract), Ferguson, Cooks, Micah Osa, NT, Tank (OK Kneeland may), Kensrick (Clark?), Bland....to some context Overshown is a FA in 2027.
That's a lot to replace, especially when they are possibly some of the most reliable aspects.
We'll be fighting to maintain, let alone challenge. Look at this team compared to 22 and 23 ?

 

[Redsfan_83]

I think it’s time for some of you to either find a new team or stop watching football all together. The Cowboys fortune can turn with one great offseason. Relax. Nothing went right this season. Next season will be better.

Nothing has gone right in the last 30, what on earth makes you think just like that our fortunes can turn? The body of evidence suggests otherwise, and we just traded a 4th round pick that will be equivalent to a 2nd 3rd rounder for a WR who nobody was fighting for

 

[fivetwos]

This is the NFL things turn around in one or two seasons constantly

You’re right, but that’s not going to happen here.

Those teams had aggressive GMs who didn’t refuse to dive into free agency….or use it at all I should say.

Much of how the next few years are going to go will be based on who the next HC is, and if you trust that Jerry isn’t going to screw that up as well, you’re better at optimism than I am.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

No change at Head Coach....no change in Free Agency philosophy....not even a change at GM.....none of these things can reverse the dye that was cast on the morning of September 8th when Booger sealed our fate by making his SINGLE WORST ACTION as owner and GM!!!!!! I feel sad for those who think a change at Head Coach, or any other thing I failed to reference will result in any short term turnaround. Even if ALL THREE of the things I did reference above happened, WE AIN'T SNIFFING A SUPER BOWL WITH DAK!!!! And the sad and PATHETIC thing about it, is Booger already 100% knows that it was a mistake....somehow, some idiot or idiots convinced him that he would curry favor by doing what he did when he did it...he 100% did not read the correct room prior....I do not know ONE PERSON who thought it was the right decision. Anyway....since September 8th, my viewing habits have changed drastically....prior to that date, I'd missed watching only one game since 1988, and that was in 1994 when I was in Cabo and our hotel could not pull in a nationally televised game. The Cowboys are dead to me. I love this site, but now visit sparingly....a few of you applaud this fact, which I can live with. I've been a die hard fan since 1975, and you can tell me all you want that a die hard fan doesn't throw in the towel and quit. But I didn't betray ANYONE.....Booger betrayed me and the other tens of millions like me. Go Dodgers....Go Mavericks....Go Stars....Go Sun Devils!!! There are other alternatives to the S show that is the Dallas Cowboys for going on THREE DECADES!!!

its only going to get worse as jerry is more desparate and more dug in to do it his way. its not about doing the right thing. its about Jerry looking like the one that did the right thing.

he will sign one big name FA. probably a DT
he will sign some coach but won't pay top dollars.

he will draft a RB in the first two rounds.

he will take a WR in the first 3 rounds.

he will take a DE in the first 4 rounds.

he will declare victory.....and hop that cowboys bounce back to 9 to 10 wins and jersey sales back up again.

 

[fivetwos]

We need more fans that have been die hard followers most of their lives to exit stage left. I was completely immersed in two sports teams for most of my life: UNC basketball and the Dallas Cowboys. I’m a Canes fan in hockey and Braves fan in baseball, but neither of those teams can come close to generating the passion I have for UNC basketball and, at one time, the Dallas Cowboys. The only other team that approached UNC and Dallas for me was the Bulls in the 80’s and 90’s, but that was completely because of Michael and his ties to UNC. When he retired I once again did not have a favorite team in the NBA and still don’t.

Jerry has ruined the entire ecosystem necessary to succeed when it comes to winning Super Bowls. OP is laying a lot of his personal apathy on Dak and that’s fine too. I don’t care what leads a fan to apathy as long as it happens. Not enough people caring is the only thing that legitimately has any shot of leading to the needed changes in this franchise we all love dearly. Jerry has no respect for the fan base or their wants, needs, and desires. Little to nothing can usurp the narcissism, hubris, and gaslighting that comes out of that windbag’s mouth on a daily basis other than his play toy losing value or seeing a half-filled stadium, most of which are opposing fans. Maybe, just maybe, he will get a dose of reality and realize he’s the problem if that happens.

Agree with a lot of that.

Angry fans aren’t going to do it. I promise he is sitting there saying “at least they are talking about us.”

Genuine apathy needs to set in. It’s going to take some time but it’s on its way. They have a ton invested in a declining QB and refuse to find the money for free agents.

I just feel bad for the folks that think one draft picking top ten will fix all that’s wrong with this franchise.

 

[conner01]

I think it’s time for some of you to either find a new team or stop watching football all together. The Cowboys fortune can turn with one great offseason. Relax. Nothing went right this season. Next season will be better.

I agree. If we handle it right we can drastically improve this team in one off season and chsnge many jet parts in two drafts. Can Jerry do it is a question but can it be done is not

 

[youngjerryjones]

He cannot be this STUPID!
Something is being held over this man's head to extend such an average talent to the highest-paid contract in the NFL.
Yeah, it's sad as this is the second roster he is wasting, having to carry Dak under center.
It even affected the players, who were in awe of how the player they needed to carry makes 900k $ a quarter when he plays.
Let's GO Mets!

his family forced him into it. if he dropped dead tomorrow they wouldn't be able to continue the carousel of hiring a coach, signing a QB and maintaining ticket sales...this is a back-up plan for his demise within the next half decade to continue to cash cow

 

[Mannix]

Agree with a lot of that.

Angry fans aren’t going to do it. I promise he is sitting there saying “at least they are talking about us.”

Genuine apathy needs to set in. It’s going to take some time but it’s on its way. They have a ton invested in a declining QB and refuse to find the money for free agents.

I just feel bad for the folks that think one draft picking top ten will fix all that’s wrong with this franchise.

It has already started....their fan numbers in Oxnard sucked!!!

 

[Catpappy]

How many years do you need to realize we are going nowhere with the Jones crew. This organization has become the Jerry Springer Show.

 

[America's Cowboy]

No change at Head Coach....no change in Free Agency philosophy....not even a change at GM.....none of these things can reverse the dye that was cast on the morning of September 8th when Booger sealed our fate by making his SINGLE WORST ACTION as owner and GM!!!!!! I feel sad for those who think a change at Head Coach, or any other thing I failed to reference will result in any short term turnaround. Even if ALL THREE of the things I did reference above happened, WE AIN'T SNIFFING A SUPER BOWL WITH DAK!!!! And the sad and PATHETIC thing about it, is Booger already 100% knows that it was a mistake....somehow, some idiot or idiots convinced him that he would curry favor by doing what he did when he did it...he 100% did not read the correct room prior....I do not know ONE PERSON who thought it was the right decision. Anyway....since September 8th, my viewing habits have changed drastically....prior to that date, I'd missed watching only one game since 1988, and that was in 1994 when I was in Cabo and our hotel could not pull in a nationally televised game. The Cowboys are dead to me. I love this site, but now visit sparingly....a few of you applaud this fact, which I can live with. I've been a die hard fan since 1975, and you can tell me all you want that a die hard fan doesn't throw in the towel and quit. But I didn't betray ANYONE.....Booger betrayed me and the other tens of millions like me. Go Dodgers....Go Mavericks....Go Stars....Go Sun Devils!!! There are other alternatives to the S show that is the Dallas Cowboys for going on THREE DECADES!!!

 

[WillieBeamen]

I have hope if/when we finally draft a qb in the first round and this needs to be the year to do it.

The Packers did it twice when they had a highly paid starter already. And it worked out both times.

 

[Big_D]

It was truly the dumbest decision this front office has ever made and that's quite a feat.

 

[DuncanIso]

I am trying to be realistic instead of overreactive about the Cowboys. As I posted in other threads there is a path for the Cowboys to return to winning ways in 2 years but more likely it will take longer. The problem they have right now is the CAP, of course. Too much money is committed to a QB who appears to be declining rather than improving. I am not saying Dak is a bad QB. He is better than Rush or Lance. He is just not worth anywhere near $60 million per year or $90 million against the CAP in 2025. Let's hope Jerry does not restructure these deals to push the problem down the road because then it will take 6 or 7 years to get out of this mess.

On the other hand, regardless of the CAP rom they have, they are unwilling to spend it on top tier free agents who can actually help the team. They are relying on the draft and trade. But they treat mid round draft picks like they are worthless which hampers their ability to fill positions with the draft. A great example is trading a 4th for Lance. That 4th we now know could have gotten us a decent RB which they desperately need. Or this year the trade for Mingo.

So if they are building only from the draft then a losing season will go a long way towards restoring them a to a winning team. Drafting in the late 20s add a lot of risk to raft picks. Look at the Cowboys drafts when they we selecting in the top 10

1998 - Greg Ellis(8), Flozell Adams(38)
2002 - Roy Williams(8), Andre Gurode(37)
2003 - Terence Newman(5),
2005 - Demarcus Ware (11) - Not top 10 but still an early pick
2011 - Tyron Smith(9)
2016 - Ezekial Elliott(4)
2021 - Micah Parsons (12) - traded down from 10

They also got Zack Martin at 16 and Demarcus Lawrence at 34 in 2014.

The point is the odds of getting really good players increases dramatically the higher the draft picks and Dallas should have an opportunity to do that this year. What we have to hope is they do not use the 2nd round to experiment with a high risk, high reward player as they have done in the past.

But If I am right about Dallas, they should have a top 10 pick in 2025 and probably a top 20 pick in 2026. In 2 years they can find enough talent to make them good in 2027. The one caveat is the QB. I think they need to ditch Dak after 2025 and dump his bloated contract. Then they need to draft a QB to take his place. That is the gamble that could take years to fix.

Missing one from that list:

2021 - Trey Lance (3) - Trade from 2023

 

[fivetwos]

It has already started....their fan numbers in Oxnard sucked!!!

That’s certainly a nice start. I’ve witnessed the chanting of his name by a crowd and it’s enough to make you want to vomit. I don’t get it with certain people. I really don’t.

At any rate I agree with your time assessment. The next HC will be chosen based on the usual criteria, and that will be a failure as well. It’ll be another five year deal and they won’t be let go even if it’s clear that they were the wrong choice early on.

Throw in the declining QB situation, Stephen claiming cap poverty, and like 14 other etc items…..

One bad season isn’t going to force them to go the Parcells type route. It has to happen at least two more consecutive times to have a slight chance for change.

 

[Big_D]

It has already started....their fan numbers in Oxnard sucked!!!

And that was before the ridiculous contract.

 

[StylisticS]

They can cut Dak in March 2026 and escape the contract.

Things will turn around quick with the right HC and OC.

How? Everything I'm seeing says 2027. I hope you're right and it's March 2026.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

I have hope if/when we finally draft a qb in the first round and this needs to be the year to do it.

The Packers did it twice when they had a highly paid starter already. And it worked out both times.

If Jerry thinks he has any type of future with the current # 1 QB he is indeed senile at this point.
Bite the cap bullet soon and draft a couple of QB at least in this draft.
Keep drafting them till you hit a true blue, not an imposter who happens also to be injury-prone.

 

[charron]

Jerry would rather lose than admit to being wrong. Jerry will sell the excitement of a new coach, a re tread who's innovative days are long behind them who won't be given real authority over the players. The same issues will pop up again and again because the problem with this organization and team are Jerry jones himself and untill the crypt keeper is laid to rest there is no hope for this team.

 

[KJJ]

No one knows how things will evolve the next 5-6 years.

 

[baltcowboy]

I'm as negative as the next guy, but you got a be a real cry baby to lock in on doom and gloom for 6 years. Lol, our fanbase is so weak.

Yeah, I have no faith in Jerry and have real concerns for Dak with injuries but I know if the Cowboys get a stud receiver, running back, game wrecking defensive tackle or pass rusher, the Cowboys will be back in business. This draft has like 5-7 of those guys that fit the bill. You might get lucky if you draft the running back or defensive tackle in the second round.