4 Cowboys who could get another shot under Mike Zimmer in 2024
By Jerry Trotta
Dan Quinn worked wonders with the Dallas Cowboys defense over his three years as defensive coordinator, but there's a reason fans celebrated when he left to take the Commanders head coaching job. Those celebrations cranked up several notches after Mike Zimmer was hired to replace Quinn.
It was clear Quinn's time as DC had run its course. His unit often came up small in big games. That proved true to close the regular season and culminated in the wild card loss to the Packers when the Cowboys allowed 48 points, 415 yards and a 60% conversion rate on third down.
Cowboys fans also grew fatigued by Quinn's stubbornness. His personnel packages against run-heavy teams were impossible to comprehend and he refused to bench underperforming players. Look for that to change under Zimmer, who could give multiple Cowboys another shot in 2024.
4 & 3. CBs Nahshon Wright and Eric Scott
It looks highly unlikely that Stephon Gilmore won't be re-signed. His expected loss opens up myriad snaps at cornerback. While Jourdan Lewis is back on a one-year deal, the Cowboys don't have a third boundary corner behind Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
Nahshon Wright and Eric Scott Jr. are the next men up. The team could draft a cornerback this month, but it has more pressing needs to address, including offensive tackle, center, running back, linebacker and defensive tackle.
Wright battled injuries throughout training camp last summer and started the season on injured reserve. He went on to appear in eight games and play 52 total snaps. A third-round pick in 2021, Wright has the ideal size and length for an NFL corner, but he never broke through on Quinn's defense. Perhaps Zimmer can inject new life and confidence into the 25-year-old.
Meanwhile, Eric Scott Jr. was a sixth-round pick last year and wasn't active for a single game his rookie season. The Cowboys traded a 2024 fifth-round pick to move up to get Scott -- a move that was likely proposed by Quinn. Given the uncertainty at CB behind the three starters, it stands to reason Scott will get another shot to prove himself after he impressed in training camp last year.