Loose outline of a futile rebuild in fantasy football land where I run a genie lamp and I am made the new GM of the Cowboys:
This season:
Ride the season out, but cut a few guys like Zeke for example, Cook too for that matter. Let Dowdle and Luepke carry the load with Vaughn getting one last chance as a change of pace scat back.
Figure on finishing with a top 10 draft pick.
Fire the entire coaching staff, management and scouting department, and training staff.
Hire a coach who is on board with my rebuild plans and give him a 5 year contract. I don't know who this will be right now. There are a few that are good prospects. Let this coach hire their assistants and trainers.
Hire Troy Aikman to take over all of Stephen's duties as well as assist me in building a scouting department with the intention of handing the job of GM off to him in 5 years or less depending upon how the rebuild goes.
Institute a closed curtain policy going forward for all home games.
2025:
Players to keep and build around: Aubrey, Anger, Bass, Guyton, Beebe, Bland, Thomas, Overshown, Luepke, Sieg
Parsons is a special case that may or may not be a part of future plans. If I can trade him for two 1sts I take it. If I can't get that price, then I keep him as part of a rebuild. CeeDee Lamb might fall into this as well. I'd want a 1st for him.
Trade as many players as possible. Diggs and Lamb could net some good capital, as well as Parsons mentioned previously.
The top 10 pick I have for the bad finish in 2024 is also potential trade bait for more picks. Could be bundled with players and other picks.
Trade any of the remaining players for mid to late picks. If these players don't go in trade then let the free agents sign elsewhere in the hopes of comp picks.
Release most of the rest. Some of the younger guys could get invites to the following camp.
Designate Dak post-June 1st cut. I would at least try and see if he would waive his no trade clause and see if there would be any takers. Cut him if not. Eat the enormous cap hit, and be prepared for a 1989 type season.
My starting QB doesn't matter, because we don't actually want to win many games. We will be tanking for Arch Manning barring some sort of disaster in college like major injury. Rush or even Lance can be the starter in a tank year.
Draft BPA with all draft picks regardless of position unless trade options are possible.
In Free Agency we won't be able to do much because we will be eating Dak's cap hit. Churn all the lower end free agents, UFAs, UDFAs, UFL players, Australia, Europe, whatever. Doesn't really matter. We just need to field a team to tank the year away. We might get lucky and find a few gems that can be traded or added to the rebuild plans.
Finish with the number 1 pick, going winless if necessary to do it. Trade for it if we have to.
2026:
Draft Arch Manning. Remaining draft picks focus on left tackle, DT, and another pass rusher at DE or LB.
Use FA to make sure major needs are addressed at LT, DE, DT, LB, and S if they haven't been met in the draft. Make trades if necessary for the same reasons.
If everything looks good I then toss the keys to Aikman, and grab a seat in a luxury box.
I apologize for this novel length post. I don't normally do that. This was a rare, special case.