The Dallas Cowboys front office is already preparring fans for another boring offseason. 2024 was one of the more frustrating in recent memory with Jerry Jones claiming the team was "all-in" just to sit on his hands.
Part of the problem is poor contracts. While Dallas has drafted well, they haven't always done a good job adding players through trade and have been guilty of paying the wrong players at times.
Here's a look at five players currently on the roster who fans are ready to see move on.
Trey Lance, QB
Dallas sent a fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers last season to bring in Trey Lance. They then refused to use Lance, keeping the 2021 No. 3 overall pick on the bench even after Dak Prescott was injured.
Lance was used spraingly in two games this season, completed 4-of-6 attempts for 21 yards with an interception. That's not what you hope for from someone who counts $5.3 million against the salary cap. Dallas could have used that money — as well as the draft pick — to improve their ground game. That's why fans are ready for this failed experiment to end.
Donovan Wilson, S
A sixth-round pick in 2019 out of Texas A&M, Donovan Wilson developed into a starting safety known for making big plays. His performance led to a three-year extension worth $21 million in 2023. Now just two years later, Wilson's performance has trended in the wrong direction.
He saw his play decline slightly in 2023 but 2024 has been far worse. Wilson has been a liability in coverage and currenly has a 62.4 PFF grade, which is the lowest of his career. His deal runs through the 2025 season but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the relationship end before then.
Brandin Cooks, WR
Adding Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans felt like a huge win for Dallas in 2023. The veteran wideout has always been an underrated player and had recorded 1,000 yards receiving for four different teams.
In year one with Dallas, he had 657 yards on 54 receptions which was a let down. He did at least have eight touchdowns but he wasn't the impact player the Cowboys thought he would be.
This season has been even worse. Cooks missed seven games with a knee injury and has just 16 catches for 144 yards with three touchdowns in the three games he's appeared in. He's also averaging just 9.0 yards per reception while carrying a $10 million cap hit.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Unlike the others on this list, Ezekiel Elliott doesn't have a big cap number — or at least he doesn't on the surface. Under his current deal, Zeke is making $2 million but he's also accounting for more than $6 million in dead money after Dallas released him in 2023.
He returned after a subpar season in New England and has completely fallen off the map. He has 223 yards and two touchdowns on 70 attempts while averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per attempt. In addition to his poor play, his attitude led to a suspension earlier in the year.
Considering he already hurt them once following the awful contract extension in 2019, fans are beyond ready to move on. Again.
Terence Steele, OT
Tһere's not а worse сontrасt on tһe Dаllаs roster rіɡһt now tһаn Terenсe Steele's. Tһe former undrаfted free аɡent wаs а ɡreаt story аfter beсomіnɡ а stаrter durіnɡ tһe 2021 seаson. He wаs on һіs wаy to beсomіnɡ а top-tіer rіɡһt tасkle іn 2022, even сostіnɡ Lа'el Collіns һіs job, before а torn ACL аnd MCL ended һіs seаson.
Dаllаs stіll deсіded to rewаrd һіm wіtһ а fіve-yeаr, $86.8 mіllіon сontrасt extensіon — mаkіnɡ іt two yeаrs іn а row tһey overpаіd someone сomіnɡ off а sever іnjury.
Mісһаel Gаllup, wһo tore һіs ACL іn 2021, аlso lаnded а fіve-yeаr extensіon. He wаs releаsed аһeаd of tһe 2024 seаson аfter struɡɡlіnɡ to return to form.
Steele һаsn't been аs dіsаstrous аs Gаllup, but һe һаsn't been plаyіnɡ to tһe level of һіs сontrасt. Wһаt mаkes іt worse іs tһаt һe's stіll on tһe books tһrouɡһ tһe 2028 seаson. Unless һe іmproves drаstісаlly, һe's lіkely to be releаsed before tһen.
