The Cowboys’ 2024 campaign has not gone quite according to plan as the team sits at 5-8, fighting for their playoff lives. While some of the blame for this can be cast on injuries, the makeup of the roster has to be taken into account. That means it’ll be up to coaching and team management to make the improvements necessary to turn this team into a playoff squad in 2025.

Many members of the Cowboys fan base were up in arms following an offseason that saw little free-agent movement. That lack of movement has, no doubt, contributed to some of the team’s struggles this year. Despite this likelihood, chief operating officer/executive vice president/director of player personnel Stephen Jones, son of owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones, has claimed that this year could see another conservative offseason in the free-agent market for the Cowboys, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The younger Jones told the media that free-agent spending will be “really tight.”

“I think we knew we were gonna have a challenge [in 2024] and [2025],” Jones said. “It’s gonna be really, really tight. We still have some money left over from some guys who are not here today, and we’re gonna have some other guys that won’t be here in the future that you’re still gonna have their cap count.”

Starters like guard Zack Martin, wide receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence are all in contract years, as are several other key pieces. There are plenty of areas, namely running back, that could use significant investment, as well.

With no commitment to free-agent pursuit from ownership, Cowboys fans are going to need to look to the draft and internal development for answers to the team’s current weaknesses.

Here are a couple other rumors out of Dallas:

• According to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, quarterback Dak Prescott made a big stride in his recovery earlier this month, driving his vehicle while still walking with the assistance of a brace and crutches. Per Epstein, “Prescott expects his recovery window to conclude before 2025 offseason activities start.” Even with “no hard timeline” and an effort not to rush back, Prescott is hoping to have zero restrictions when the offseason arrives.
• There have been mixed opinions from pundits on the future of head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas. Many believe he will be fired come season end, while others are under the impression that the senior Jones will retain him. Jones has expressed that he’s open to keeping McCarthy around, but per Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jones has identified a connection with Prescott as a key part of his decision-making. Luckily for McCarthy, Prescott recently endorsed the current head coach, but Jones has made it clear that he wants someone in the job who can get the most out of their franchise quarterback.