3 reasons to be pessimistic about the Dallas Cowboys in 2024

When times are tough, hope and optimism can push you through adversity; however, it's more difficult when you can't directly change anything. That's the problem that Dallas Cowboys fans have had for years.

There are some reasons to be optimistic heading into the 2024 season. That doesn't mean everything is roses and daisies in Cowboys land. For those looking for one, or more reasons, to keep the perception of Dallas more realistic, here are three reasons to be pessimistic heading into the 2024 NFL season.

3. The Cowboys aren't going all-in

Having a competitive team is very entertaining. The Cowboys have been one of the most competitive teams since 2014, making the playoffs six out of the ten seasons, and owning a combined regular season record of 98-65.

Despite the numerous opportunities to make a deep run in the playoffs, Dallas has failed to appear in the NFC Conference Finals and owns a 3-6 record in the postseason since 2014. All three wins came in the Wild Card round.

Repeated success in the regular season with no playoff success leaves the fanbase starving for more. Accolades outside of the playoffs are gradually diminishing in value year-over-year.

With hope dwindling, owner Jerry Jones sparked hope within the organization, making his infamous "all in" quote. With one year remaining on the contract of quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy, it seemed believable that Jerry would put all his chips into a push to win a championship this year and restart the franchise in 2025.

Most teams with that mentality would chase high-end players on the trade market and in free agency. Unfortunately, that only resulted in the signing of linebacker Eric Kendricks. While he is a solid contributor to most teams, and will likely be a starter throughout the year, he is not the big splash fans were hoping for.

At 32 years old and with nine seasons under his belt, Kendricks alone is not enough to turn the team around. While having a reliable veteran starter in a position of need will help Dallas, adding a star who can add to an already star-studded Cowboys roster would help put them over the top.

There is not much regarding options at a position of need available. The best option right now is to bring back guard/center Connor Williams after his stint in Miami to stabilize the offensive line.

2. Volatility on the Cowboys' offensive line

Football is without a doubt a team sport. All the players on the team must pitch in to help the team win. While having individual stars helps push that needle more, weaknesses on the roster can be exploited. That is especially true along the offensive line.

Having holes along the offensive line allows the opposing defense to break through and either blow up a run play or get to the quarterback. With defensive coordinators consistently looking to attack the weak spot, having one bad offensive lineman has a bigger impact than having one star offensive lineman.

Superstar left tackle Tyron Smith and solid starting center Tyler Biadasz left in free agency, leaving the Cowboys to put those starting snaps in the hands of rookies. The coverup plan can work, especially long-term, but it adds more uncertainty to a team that had it plentiful already.

Rookie left tackle, Tyler Guyton, was Dallas' first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but was regarded as a longer-term upside prospect. Between his need to clean up his play, shifting from right tackle to left tackle, and being a rookie, a lot must go right for the Oklahoma product to succeed.

Tyler Smith at left guard is the most reliable spot on the offensive line. He is an All-Pro caliber guard with no serious injury issues and is still young at 23 years old. If there's one player you want starting between two rookies, it's him.

Cooper Beebe is expected to be another rookie starting for the Cowboys. He would be the team's center. NFL.com's Lance Zeurlein describes him as a "model of consistency, " a great trait. The concerns are the lack of experience at the center spot and his small frame. They can be exploited by larger defensive tackles.

At right guard, none performed better than Zack Martin since he came into the league in 2014. Beebe has been consistently good in college, Martin has been consistently dominant in the NFL. The trick is, he is now 33 years old, and entering his 11th season after playing the worst he has in his career, although that's still an All-Pro level.

The biggest concern that is known is Terence Steele at right tackle. He used to be a very reliable run blocker and decent pass blocker, but penalty troubles and speed rushers getting around his edge have caused issues for quarterback Dak Prescott.

The margin for error has significantly increased for the offensive line in Dallas. While that doesn't mean it will be a disaster, it should be an area you keep a close eye on. The group must play better than expected if the Cowboys are to have a successful regular season and playoff run.

1. If nothing changes, nothing changes

In the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys have been one of the best teams in the NFL. In the postseason, they have been one of the worst. Over the past decade, the Cowboys have been a similar team despite some changes to their roster and coaching staff. If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Win through the offense, outscore the opponent, and make the quarterback play his tail off. It's the same issues that have come up since the time of Tony Romo. The team's failure to play together when it mattered most has cost them time and time again.

In the 18 playoff games since winning a Super Bowl after the 1995 NFL season, Dallas turned the ball over in all but two games. Their record with a turnover in that timespan: 4-12. Dallas took the ball away in 11 of the 18 games. Of the five wins in their last 18 playoff games, the Cowboys took the ball away in four of them.

The turnover battle has a lot to do with which team is put under pressure, or who is trailing and is forced to throw the ball. Giving up the lead early and allowing the other team to dictate the pace of the game while you try to catch up is a dangerous situation. Dallas trailed at halftime in all five of their recent playoff losses.

Former head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore were notorious for not adapting and having the team fall apart when it mattered. Now, current head coach Mike McCarthy and his lackluster management of the clock are haunting the team. Stopping the run has been a problem since former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli left in 2019.

It seems like a problem for the team comes up, haunts the team for around five seasons, and is then replaced by another. With changes to personnel, coaching, and analytics, one has been around through everything; the front office.

Owner Jerry Jones, understandably, controls the team as he desires. He manages the Dallas Cowboys like it's the franchise mode in Madden. It's not that Jerry doesn't know anything about managing in the NFL and how to make a successful NFL team, but he doesn't know everything.

A normal general manager would have been fired long ago, but an owner gets to do what he wants. His son, Stephen, has had a positive impact on the team (A.K.A. drafting OG. Zack Martin over QB. Johnny Manziel), but it's hard not to believe Jerry is pulling the strings regardless.

This won't happen, but the Jones family needs to swallow their pride and bring in someone who can make meaningful decisions apart from them. For the sake of not being successful in the playoffs for 28 consecutive years, someone outside the family should take control of the personnel duties. That's the real change.