The Dallas Cowboys season is over. While every team endures roster turnover each offseason, there's a reason 2023 was viewed as the Cowboys' best chance to reach the Super Bowl. Not only did they guarantee themselves a minimum of two home playoff games, but they fielded a largely healthy roster going into postseason.
Beyond that, though, is the fact this roster -- and coaching staff -- could look a lot different next season. The Cowboys have a laundry list of players set to hit free agency and salary cap constraints could force leadership to make some tough decisions on long-tenured players.
There's still two months until the legal tampering period, let's dive into the players who we already know won't be back with the team in 2024.
5. Chuma Edoga, LT
The Cowboys might prioritize taking a tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft. Tyron Smith is a free agent, but we think he'll be back on a short-term deal. Terence Steele's performance this season didn't inspire any confidence after he signed a big contract, so Dallas needs to lock in on finding a competent swing tackle.
Edgoa was signed last offseason to fill that role. He made multiple starts filling in for Smith and several of his lowlights blew up on Cowboys Twitter. He put forth some of the worst pass-blocking reps you'll ever see, but the film will tell you he was actually serviceable.
Edoga allowed three sacks, 16 pressures and five quarterback hits on 251 pass-block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Again, Edoga wasn't terrible, but the Cowboys lost a couple games this season due to the fact the dropoff between Smith and Edoga was so substantial.
4. Neville Gallimore, DT
The Cowboys need to overhaul their defensive tackle room.
2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith isn't going anywhere, but they need more people-movers in the trenches. Johnathan Hankins is their only true nose tackle and he's a free agent. Osa Odighizuwa is becoming one of the best pas-rushing DTs in the game, but he doesn't specialize in stopping the run.
This puts Gallimore in a precarious position entering free agency. He's more of a pass-rusher than run stopper so bringing him back wouldn't improve a weakness. Gallimore deserves credit for balling out in training camp to save his roster spot, but it's hard to envision him returning in 2024 now that his rookie deal has expired.
The Cowboys hoped Gallimore, a third-round pick in 2020, would make an Odighizuwa-like ascension, but it never materialized.
3. Dante Fowler, DE
Fowler's been a key component of Dan Quinn's pass rush the last two seasons. We'd actually welcome Fowler back in 2024, but that will be easier said than done for the front office considering Quinn will likely be gone regardless if he lands a coaching job.
Fowler re-signed with Dallas last year after it was confirmed Quinn would return as defensive coordinator. With the Cowboys, Fowler played his best ball since his breakout season with the Rams in 2019 when he tallied11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
Fowler played 34 of a possible 34 games and logged 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits to go with 72 pressures. He posted a combined 73.85 pass rush grade and in 2023 ranked fourth in the entire NFL with a 13.9% quick pressure rate (2.5 seconds or less), according to PFF.
That's great production for a rotational DE, but Dallas will have to look elsewhere -- likely Sam Williams -- to replace it 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.
1. Jayron Kearse, S
Jayron Kearse made one of the select few good defensive plays from Sunday's loss against the Packers. Those moments were few and far between for Kearse this season after they were commonplace over his first two years, however.
Like Fowler, Quinn's departure could signal the end of Kearse in Dallas. He's a free agent and the Cowboys are set at safety. Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are back, and fans loved what they saw from second-year player Juanyeh Thomas in limited opportunities.
Additionally, 2021 sixth-round pick Israel Mukuamu could be in line for a bigger role and Markquese Bell could see time at safety -- his original position -- after he converted to linebacker following Leighton Vander Esch's season-ending injury.
Beyond the depth at safety is the fact Kearse regressed significantly in 2023. His 44.9 player grade was the lowest among Dallas defensive starters, per PFF. He allowed a 101.8 passer rating in coverage and his eight missed tackles were second most on the team. He also led the defense with eight penalties.
Don't expect Kearse back in 2024.