Will Week 17 be the final game for these Dallas Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys could very well end their season in Week 17. And there are several who could be playing their final game with America’s Team.

The 7-8 Dallas Cowboys face an uphill battle to make the playoffs this season following their 17-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Cowboys need a victory over the Washington Redskins while hoping the New York Giants are able to pull off an upset over the Eagles in Week 17.

There is a real chance that Dallas will play its final game of the 2019 NFL season on Sunday. If so, there are several contracts coming to an end and several current Cowboys who may not return to the team in 2020.

Of those expected not to return, the brightest spotlight is on head coach Jason Garrett. The Cowboys’ brass chose to make Garrett a lame-duck coach in 2019, refusing to extend his expiring contract past this season.

And the ninth-year head coach has turned in a dismal performance in return, with the team struggling to reach .500 to end their year. Unless Dallas is able to pull-off a post-Christmas miracle and make a deep run into the playoffs, it appears Garrett’s time with the Cowboys will mercifully come to an end.

Outside of Garrett and other potential members of the coaching staff who could suddenly find themselves unemployed, there are several players who might be taking the field for the final time this Sunday as a member of America’s Team.

Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and tight end Jason Witten are the biggest names on the list. Prescott’s rookie deal expires after this season. And despite ongoing contract negotiations, the two sides seem no closer to getting a deal done. Yet, it’s hard to imagine Prescott not being under center for Dallas next season.

After trading away their 2019 first-round draft pick to acquire Cooper in a trade with the Oakland Raiders last year, the Cowboys likely can not afford to allow the three-time Pro Bowler to leave in free agency next offseason. And, at age 37, it’s anyone’s guess whether Witten will elect to return for a 17th season or not.

Some other notable Dallas Cowboys who might be playing their final game with The Star on their helmets due to expiring contracts include defensive end Robert Quinn, cornerback Byron Jones, defensive line Michael Bennett, wide receiver Randall Cobb, linebacker Sean Lee, safety Jeff Heath, wide receiver Tavon Austin, long snapper L.P. Ladouceur, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, and cornerback Anthony Brown.