Mike McCarthy is back, but expect changes to the Dallas Cowboys heading into 2024

Now that the mystery surrounding the immediate future of head coach Mike McCarthy has been solved — and of quarterback Dak Prescott — the Dallas Cowboys can start of the process of building their roster and staff for 2024.

There remains uncertainty regarding defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is being courted by five teams for head coaching jobs.

Quinn’s situation brings into question the status of several defensive coaches, namely passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who could be the coordinator on Quinn’s staff or possibly be his replacement in Dallas.

The Cowboys could also go in a different direction for a coordinator if Quinn leaves, which puts a number of coaches and players in flux.

While McCarthy is proud of a program that has won 36 games over the past three seasons, the second most of any team in the NFL during that span, he knows the Cowboys came up short of expectations when it comes to a 1-3 playoff mark, capped by an embarrassing no show performance in the unconscionable and inexplicable season-ending loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Big changes are coming.

“There definitely will be changes and adjustments that are made,” McCarthy said. “We were always going to adjust whether it’s staff, staff responsibilities, players, players’ responsibilities, scheme, all those things. And then change is really part of that adjustment, how big of a change you need to make. We’re just getting started.”

What is known is the Cowboys have 16 unrestricted free agents who are out of contract and a number of players who could be cap casualties because their contract doesn’t match their production.

The list of unrestricted free agents include running backs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, center Tyler Biadasz, tackle Chuma Udoga, tackle Tyron Smith, tight end Sean McKeon, defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, defensive tackles Neville Gallimore and Johnathan Hankins, cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Jourdan Lewis and Noah Igbinoghene, safety Jayron Kearse and special teams C.J. Goodwin and Trent Sieg.

Of that list, the starters are Pollard, Biadasz, Smith, Hankins, Gilmore, Lewis and Kearse.

There is a good chance all are gone in 2024.

Pollard, who made $10.3 million in 2023, did not live up to expectations and could likely return as a backup.

The Cowboys have a decision to make on Biadasz, who is average at best and they likely could find his replacement in the draft.

Is the journey over for the 13-year veteran Smith, who had a Pro Bowl season when he was on the field? He missed four games due to injury in 2023 and has missed at least three games every year since 2015. He will be 34 in 2024.

“I think the biggest thing for Tyron is, talking about the path of the season and the training plan that was in place for him, this is clearly his best season that I have experienced with him since 2020,” McCarthy said. “He felt good about that. I think the fact that he’s not going into the off season with off season surgeries is a plus. We’ll continue to talk as we move forward.”

Age is a question with Hankins, who is heading into his 12th season but remains the team’s best interior run stopper. Mazi Smith was drafted to be the primary nose tackle, but the 2023 first-round pick was a disappointment all season and logged just four snaps against the Packers.

Gilmore played well enough to return. But at what price? The Cowboys have his replacement DaRon Bland, coming off an All-Pro season, and will have All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs back from a torn ACL.

Should they bring Gilmore back and move Bland to the slot?

If so, then they will say goodbye to Lewis, who may be gone anyway.

Kearse’s fate for 2024 was likely sealed before the 2023 season when fellow safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson were given multi-year contract extensions.

Kearse in Markquese Bell, Israel Mukuamu and Juanyeh Thomas are options to replace him.

And this list doesn’t include receiver Michael Gallup, who has not lived up to expectations since signing five-year, $57.5 million contract in 2022.

He had 39 catches for 424 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 after recovering from a torn ACL.

A full off season and full season resulted not only in worse snaps but a reduction in snaps in 2023 when he caught 34 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns.

Gallup has $13.5 million cap hit. The would only save $800,000 by cutting him but would save his $8.5 million base salary in cash.

And then there is linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who is expected retire due to a chronic neck injury, which only doubles down on the need revamp a subpar and undersized linebacker unit that was a major part of the team’s downfall against the run.

As always, it’s going to be a very bus offseason for the Cowboys.