5 Cowboys who definitely won't be back next season

2. Stephon Gilmore, CB

Gilmore caught some flak for his performance in Sunday's Wild Card loss, but it was revealed he played through a torn labrum. You have to think that impacted his play, and Gilmore will undergo surgery this week.

Most Cowboys fans would love to have Gilmore back, but he's a free agent. With Trevon Diggs returning from a torn ACL and DaRon Bland morphing into an All-Pro in year two, the Cowboys can afford to let Gilmore walk. It's fun to think what the secondary would look like with all three cornerbacks, but it depends on the money Gilmore wants.

If Dak Prescott's extension doesn't get done in time, Gilmore could leave. Prescott's $59 million cap hit for 2024 will hinder Dallas' spending flexibility in free agency.

Maybe Gilmore is one of the free agents Dallas wants back at all costs, but they also have to sort out the futures of Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Jayron Kearse, Dorance Armstrong, Jourdan Lewis and Johnathan Hankins. Given the insurance the Cowboys have at cornerback, Gilmore could be the odd man out.