What is your floor for this team’s core returning

[Blitzen]

I know they cannot move on from Dak for at least 2 years-no matter how the playoffs go.

I’m in favor of a general rebuild of the team’s core roster if they do not at least make it to the NFCCG, and play exceptionally then too.

Without that happening, I would not extend Dak’s contract and would look to move on from any player over 27 via trade or release. Stockpile picks and shop for a new QB over the next couple of seasons.

I’m fine retaining MM as long as Dan Quinn remains the defensive coordinator and they continue to invest in better lineman (defense and offense), linebackers, running game and defensive game heavy aims.

 

[BEARCATSKLZ]

Rebuild a 12-4 team? For what to be 14-2?

 

[RoyalCowboy]

What? The core of this team is playoff bound. Make improvements and such yes but you're talking about rebuilding a core that has double digit wins in consecutive years. How about have some patience and watch this machine continue it's refinery.

What's with all of the need for instant gratification all of the sudden?

 

[Blitzen]

Rebuild a 12-4 team? For what to be 14-2?

The real season begins in January. Considering half the teams now qualify for the playoffs, that bar is too low for a team’s core that has proven they can meet that benchmark fairly easily.

 

[Blackthorn]

What? Hungover I see. Re-build the core of the best team in football? Dak is my QB, I don't get the hate that people have for him.

1. He is my QB.
2. He is a leader.
3. I am getting better sleep because he sold me a mattress.
4. My sleep number is 4

Enjoy the ride brother, I have been watching since Staubach, this team is legit and will compete in the Superbowl. Each game is not perfect and this team has the swagger. Saddle up and get ready.

Go Dallas!!!

 

[Blitzen]

What? The core of this team is playoff bound. Make improvements and such yes but you're talking about rebuilding a core that has double digit wins in consecutive years. How about have some patience and watch this machine continue it's refinery.

What's with all of the need for instant gratification all of the sudden?

The team’s core is about to finish its 7th season. There has been ample time at refining the product. Team cores don’t start suddenly producing championship game appearances after fizzling out of the playoffs for going on a decade. Patience has been given. Report cards with the real grades are about to be given out over the next month. Lol, at the instant gratification remark.

 

[Blitzen]

What? Hungover I see. Re-build the core of the best team in football?

If it’s the best team in football, then they will prove it in the postseason. Where contenders and pretenders separate.

 

[doomsday9084]

The team is coming back largely as is. Zeke is probably in serious question. Dalton Schultz might be gone. Tyron Smith's cap hit is a little high.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys

Overall though, I would expect incremental changes. I just see no reason to blow up a good team just because it isn't great. That's how teams get on a decade long treadmill. If you absolutely aren't thrilled with the results, you would expect to see a coaching change well before a wholesale roster churn.

 

[Blitzen]

The team is coming back largely as is. Zeke is probably in serious question. Dalton Schultz might be gone. Tyron Smith's cap hit is a little high.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/dallas-cowboys

Overall though, I would expect incremental changes. I just see no reason to blow up a good team just because it isn't great. That's how teams get on a decade long treadmill. If you absolutely aren't thrilled with the results, you would expect to see a coaching change well before a wholesale roster churn.

I’m my opinion a team that realizes that the core cannot ever achieve great status, should immediately set about finding core pieces that give the team better chances of reaching that threshold. The squad’s core is about to complete their 7th season. If you don’t draw the bar somewhere, then you are saying the team already exceeded the ultimate bar by tacit acquiescence. The team is currently on the good team treadmill. If ever there was a season to break through, is this one. They will never face a lesser conference opponent slate.

 

[USArmyVet]

The 'core' of the team is in essence the following players: Dak, Zeke, T. Smith, Martin, DLaw.

They have been around since the 2016 season and are among the highest paid players on the team while producing just 1 playoff win and 4 playoff games from 2016-2021.

Based on the OP's hypothetical "....if they do not at least make it to the NFCCG" this season, then absolutely the team should seriously evaluate the overall roster and make the moves necessary.

That said, regarding the above players:

Dak is not going anywhere given his $49M cap hit next season which will have to be restructured to lower his cap hit as the team can't afford that salary number.

Zeke has $11.8M in dead money remaining with a cap hit of $16.7M so given Pollard is a free agent and the younger, more dynamic running back as of today Dallas could seriously consider attempting to trade Zeke for draft picks albeit Dallas would not expect much in return; releasing Zeke would allow Dallas to split the dead money between 2023 & 2024 thereby gaining roughly $11M in cap room for 2023 (money that could be used in part to sign Pollard to a new contract).

T. Smith has been a fixture at LT for Dallas for numerous years but the injury bug has been repeatedly biting Smith the last few seasons (16 games played the last 3 seasons; 33 games missed the last 3 seasons) so given Smith has $8M in dead money remaining with a cap hit of $17.5M for 2023 he is a prime candidate for release (doubt anyone trades for him) thereby saving Dallas $13.5M in cap savings by splitting his dead money between 2023 & 2024....unless of course Jerry gets emotional and wants to keep Smith for sake of sentiment.

Martin is still the best Dallas lineman and will not be going anywhere but given his 2023 cap number of $19.8M Dallas may approach him about doing a team friendly extension as Martin's 'last season' of his contract is 2024 where he counts $20.3M towards the cap.

DLaw was paid based on his pass rushing prowess but has since become more of a run defending DE;his 2023 cap hit is $26M with $36M in dead money thanks to a bad contract extension by Jerry so the only viable option is a restructuring which I personally am not in favor of doing. After 2023 expect DLaw to be gone (unless an extension is done to lower his 2023 cap hit) seeing as how his 2024 cap number is $16M with $9M in dead money.


So if Dallas does not perform well in the playoffs and not make it to the NFC Championship game, changes could very well be on the horizon.

 

[Whirlwin]

I keep going back to Belichick. He would definitely trade bland for a high draft pic . He might even consider trading a best player and defense. You just keep replacing players with younger players and you don’t have to pay the salary. That’s why they were great for so many years.

 

[Whirlwin]

Rebuild a 12-4 team? For what to be 14-2?

Don’t think it’s a boat rebuilding. I think it’s about constantly treating your players for higher draft pick players. I’m not having to have to pay this upcoming salary, but this franchise is too loyal to the team and they won’t do that. Just look at what the patriots did for ever , Trade the player when they were at their best

 

[doomsday9084]

I’m my opinion a team that realizes that the core cannot ever achieve great status, should immediately set about finding core pieces that give the team better chances of reaching that threshold. The squad’s core is about to complete their 7th season. If you don’t draw the bar somewhere, then you are saying the team already exceeded the ultimate bar by tacit acquiescence. The team is currently on the good team treadmill. If ever there was a season to break through, is this one. They will never face a lesser conference opponent slate.

I have been watching sports for a very long time. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing better than being the fan of a dynasty level team. That said, its extraordinarily rare. Since the advent of salary caps in sports, there have only been a handful of teams in all of the sports over the last few decades. Its something every team wants but virtually no one gets. Chasing that is likely a fool's errand.

Outside of dynasty teams, many title winners are just teams that everything came together for them. Injuries, everyone on the same page, a little luck, etc. I think the Cowboys have that within reach and I wouldn't just give it away in chase of a dynasty that isn't going to come.

I doubt the current team will end up winning a super bowl. I give it less than a 20% chance over the next few years but I'll take that over a 0.1% chance of a blowup working to create a great team.

 

[doomsday9084]

I keep going back to Belichick. He would definitely trade bland for a high draft pic . He might even consider trading a best player and defense. You just keep replacing players with younger players and you don’t have to pay the salary. That’s why they were great for so many years.

This is the kind of treadmill I would like to see Dallas get on. Draft well and then trade the player before their extension. Here is an interesting one: Terrence Steele. Played at a very high level. ACL injury. Contract is up. Do you give him a mammoth deal or do you trade him for a few picks? He is the type of painful decision that Jerry has always erred on the side of overpaying.

Another guy is Diggs. Do you give him a fortune or trade him for a bunch of high level picks?

Dallas can't afford everyone being paid top dollar. Being judicious about it and trading for picks before the guy walks is the smart play.

 

[Blitzen]

Don’t think it’s a boat rebuilding. I think it’s about constantly treating your players for higher draft pick players. I’m not having to have to pay this upcoming salary, but this franchise is too loyal to the team and they won’t do that. Just look at what the patriots did for ever , Trade the player when they were at their best

For me, this season has taught me that many QB’s can at least achieve good to great regular season success IF their squad has dominant offensive and defensive lines, a good set of running options-and good/great defense overall. Look how Purdy just goes in and quickly dominates.

It’s not the QB for many of the clubs currently-so why worry about paying them if you can assemble the other pieces? But there are still 2-3 elite QB’s that can make a SF defense look ridiculous (see Pat Mahomes). I think any GM that has lots of leash should build the lines of scrimmage heavily and QB be damned if they don’t have an elite one.

Belichick is struggling after Brady left just to make the playoffs. Brady hauled off and won the SB with a Bucs team in his very first season. They already had a great defense and pretty good offensive line. Jamies Winston obviously was not going to achieve that feat. Those Patriot teams would pay big money for the critical positions and game changing elite players, but would move on if the contract demands didn’t match up.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I know they cannot move on from Dak for at least 2 years-no matter how the playoffs go.

I’m in favor of a general rebuild of the team’s core roster if they do not at least make it to the NFCCG, and play exceptionally then too.

Without that happening, I would not extend Dak’s contract and would look to move on from any player over 27 via trade or release. Stockpile picks and shop for a new QB over the next couple of seasons.

I’m fine retaining MM as long as Dan Quinn remains the defensive coordinator and they continue to invest in better lineman (defense and offense), linebackers, running game and defensive game heavy aims.

Coming off of the first back-to-back 12-win seasons, why would we blow things up?

How about we try to be more aggressive to add to the core like LA was last year and Philly was this year?

 

[Blitzen]

I have been watching sports for a very long time. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing better than being the fan of a dynasty level team. That said, its extraordinarily rare. Since the advent of salary caps in sports, there have only been a handful of teams in all of the sports over the last few decades. Its something every team wants but virtually no one gets. Chasing that is likely a fool's errand.

Outside of dynasty teams, many title winners are just teams that everything came together for them. Injuries, everyone on the same page, a little luck, etc. I think the Cowboys have that within reach and I wouldn't just give it away in chase of a dynasty that isn't going to come.

I doubt the current team will end up winning a super bowl. I give it less than a 20% chance over the next few years but I'll take that over a 0.1% chance of a blowup working to create a great team.

I don’t have a problem moving on from older core players, when the arrow is pointing kinda sideways. Dak would still be on the team for at least 2 more seasons, no matter what. It would be saying goodbye to a few players and replacing them with draft picks and younger players.

 

[Pass2Run]

Rebuild a 12-4 team? For what to be 14-2?

Right.

But there's a method to the madness of finding value at the right positions and cycling out the old players with new ones to stay current, because teams change every year.

I'm not saying that the core of this team can't be better for a little run here; quite the opposite. But by that I just mean they have the potential to be a playoff team for the next 3 years with some of these core players.

That's what people leave out about Dak. He may not be what you consider "elite," but that's just a word. He's still one of the best players in the league, and is definitely a core kind of player, when you consider the actual odds versus your/my egocentric expectations, and what he can bring to a team versus the average player.

What? The core of this team is playoff bound. Make improvements and such yes but you're talking about rebuilding a core that has double digit wins in consecutive years. How about have some patience and watch this machine continue it's refinery.

What's with all of the need for instant gratification all of the sudden?

This post here could be best of the regular season, in my book.

Muh 27 yeeersth.

 

[Whirlwin]

For me, this season has taught me that many QB’s can at least achieve good to great regular season success IF their squad has dominant offensive and defensive lines, a good set of running options-and good/great defense overall. Look how Purdy just goes in and quickly dominates.

It’s not the QB for many of the clubs currently-so why worry about paying them if you can assemble the other pieces? But there are still 2-3 elite QB’s that can make a SF defense look ridiculous (see Pat Mahomes). I think any GM that has lots of leash should build the lines of scrimmage heavily and QB be damned if they don’t have an elite one.

Belichick is struggling after Brady left just to make the playoffs. Brady hauled off and won the SB with a Bucs team in his very first season. They already had a great defense and pretty good offensive line. Jamies Winston obviously was not going to achieve that feat. Those Patriot teams would pay big money for the critical positions and game changing elite players, but would move on if the contract demands didn’t match up.

Bella check is struggling because he no longer has those first round draft picks in his pocket.

 

[Blitzen]

Coming off of the first back-to-back 12-win seasons, why would we blow things up?

How about we try to be more aggressive to add to the core like LA was last year and Philly was this year?

Blowing up is an aggressive word. I already said they could not move on from Dak for at least 2 seasons. The Eagles just value interior run defense more than this squad and don’t think as highly of its current players. This team over values its own young players and undervalues outside free agents. There are much better options lots of times-just takes cold hard analysis and tough business decisions. I would move on from Tyron, Zeke, and possibly DLaw before next season. I would trade any player over 27 with good/great draft capital in return.