The Dallas Cowboys have gained a major team boast as they’ve just officially announced the arrival of another football wizard who is…
The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious from Los Angeles after a thrilling game in primetime, raising their record to 4-2. The team is only one game behind the NFC record that leads into the bye. As they approach their pseudo-midpoint in the standings, their current position isn’t too bad, especially in light of the disappointment of their two losses this season. The team should be pleased with where they are this week compared to where they were following their loss to San Francisco, even though there are still issues to be resolved, such as methodical offensive adjustments, particularly in the red zone, and insufficient discipline that leads to penalties.
2023 is a crucial season in Dallas Cowboys history. Play-calling duties have been assumed by head coach Mike McCarthy, and it seems the team is using that authority to assess McCarthy’s suitability to guide this team and the offense to meaningful football in the postseason. Dak Prescott also has to overcome the perception that he lacks the skills necessary to guide the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, has the option to drastically alter both the team’s roster and coaching staff after this season.
In March of 2024, when the new league year kicks off, the Dallas Cowboys will have 14 free agents to choose from. Some of these players are depth pieces; the team currently has a player who is comparable on the roster. The team must carefully consider the status of five important players before choosing to either release or resign them. This is an overly premature examination of the five Cowboys free agents for 2024.
Left tackle Tyron Smith
Tyron Smith, who was selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, has been a Dallas Cowboys mainstay. Smith showed himself to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL very quickly, offering an uncommon combination of strength and agility for an offensive lineman. DeMarco Murray broke the record in 2014 with 1,845 yards rushing thanks in large part to Smith, who was the rock of the once-famous second version of the Great Wall of Dallas. Smith is a talented player who will probably end up in Canton. Regretfully, his career is nearing its end.
The date is January 14, 2012. We are in San Francisco at Candlestick Park. The 49ers need a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining, down three, and facing a third down to maintain their hopes of making the playoffs without having to go to overtime. In the meantime, the Saints can draw a conclusion from this and move on to the NFC Championship Game. We need to go back in time to comprehend how we got here and to fully appreciate what this moment represents.
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Smith has had health issues and has had trouble staying well for a while. Due to a variety of injuries, he hasn’t played a full season since 2015. As a result, the team is struggling to find a silver lining in the massive shadow left by Smith’s frequent absences.
The offensive line hasn’t performed to the standard we’ve grown accustomed to from them this year. Last season, the team tried out Tyler Smith at left tackle, but rookie Asim Richards also had some promising preseason results. Tyler Smith seems to be the left tackle of the future, but whether or not that future begins in 2024 will be up to the team to decide.
Pitcher Stephon Gilmore
It would make sense for the Cowboys to negotiate a new deal with Stephon Gilmore for a number of reasons. Gilmore is known for being a perceptive and intelligent cornerback. With young secondary players like DaRon Bland and Israel Mukuamu on the Cowboys roster, his experience as a leader is invaluable. Gilmore still possesses the ball handling abilities and route comprehension that won him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. But there’s a decline in both foot speed and the capacity to carry receivers across the field.
In any case, Gilmore might prove to be a useful insurance policy for the group come 2024. Unfortunately, Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL tear earlier in the season, ending his playing career. Given the complexity of ACL injuries, Diggs’ recovery may take longer than anticipated. Playing next to DaRon Bland, Gilmore has provided Dallas with a level of stability that the team would be lost without. If the team signs Gilmore after this season, it would give them some security; if not, they will have to go into the unknown and look for a boundary corner while Diggs heals.
