The Dallas Cowboys sit at 3-5 as they head into the second half of the season. With Dak Prescott sidelined for an extended stretch, turning things around will require nothing short of a small miracle.
Given the circumstances, many Cowboys fans have already started looking ahead. If the team misses the playoffs entirely, we can expect major roster changes. With several key starters set to enter free agency, the 2025 offseason is likely to bring significant departures. Let’s dive into some of the most notable names who may be on their way out.
#1. DeMarcus Lawrence
As Jerry Jones often reminds Cowboys fans, the team is facing financial constraints with limited cap space. The Cowboys have a projected cap of $25.65 million for 2025, which could rise to $45 million if they roll over cap space. However, this doesn’t account for the need to re-sign their own players.
One of the top priorities for re-signing will be veteran defender DeMarcus Lawrence. With other key players like Zack Martin and Osa Odighizuwa also entering free agency, it seems unlikely the Cowboys will have enough resources to keep all three.
This puts Lawrence in a prime position to leave Dallas in free agency. Despite being 33 by next season, the four-time Pro Bowler is expected to demand a hefty contract. As he looks for his final major payday, he will likely prioritize guaranteed salary.
That opens the door for the Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn has a history of bringing in former Cowboys players, and his success with this strategy in Washington makes it likely he’ll target Lawrence this offseason. With plenty of cap space at their disposal, the Commanders could easily outbid Dallas, making it tough for the Cowboys to compete.
#2. Zack Martin
Much like DeMarcus Lawrence, the situation with Zack Martin is similar. The star offensive lineman is nearing the end of his six-year, $84 million contract extension, which made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL at the time.
Martin has more than lived up to that contract throughout his career. He’s been selected to the Pro Bowl in every healthy season, and there’s a strong case to be made that he’s been the best guard in football during his time in the league.
However, this season has shown signs of age-related decline. The 33-year-old is posting a career-low PFF grade of 64.6, which has contributed to the team’s ongoing struggles in the running game.
Martin has also been dealing with back and shoulder injuries, further complicating his situation. While he remains a valuable offensive lineman, teams like the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers will likely show interest in him. As much as the Cowboys would love to retain one of their longest-tenured players, they may be priced out of keeping him.
Similar to their approach last offseason, where they let Tyron Smith walk and drafted his replacement, Tyler Guyton, in the first round, the Cowboys could take the same route with Martin. Rather than committing to a multi-year deal for an aging Martin, it might make more sense to find his successor in the draft, securing the next Zack Martin for the future.
#3. Ezekiel Elliott
No Cowboys fan will argue with this one. One of the few notable offseason additions has failed to make an impact this season. Ezekiel Elliott is having the worst year of his career, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, and has also been involved in off-field issues.
Reports surfaced that Zeke was unhappy with his role, even approaching the coaching staff to discuss it. He was later disciplined for repeated tardiness and skipping meetings, and was a healthy scratch for the first time this season in Week 9.
The Cowboys’ running back rotation is in disarray, and it’s clear Elliott is no longer the answer. His production has steadily declined over the past three seasons, and it’s hard to see it improving as he approaches 30.
With little playing time likely remaining this season, it’s safe to say Elliott’s days in Dallas are numbered.
#4. Mike Zimmer
The hiring of Mike Zimmer has been a major disappointment for the Cowboys. Fans were thrilled when the team brought back their former defensive coordinator to replace Dan Quinn. Zimmer, who had successful seasons as head coach in Minnesota, spent the previous two years away from the NFL. The 68-year-old was expected to be one of the most experienced and capable defensive minds in the league.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. The Cowboys’ defense has taken a significant step back this year. After ranking as one of the top-seven defensive units for the past three seasons, they now sit as the second-worst in the NFL, allowing more points per game than all but one team.
The lack of defensive playmaking is glaring. Last season, the Cowboys posted 17 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, and 46 sacks. This year, they’ve only managed four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and 18 sacks through eight games. The ball-hawking defense that made the Cowboys one of the league’s most feared units is nowhere to be found.
While injuries to key starters have certainly played a role, that’s a challenge every NFL team faces. The teams that can weather those storms and remain competitive are the ones that consistently succeed. Mike Zimmer has failed to keep the defense afloat, and unless things change drastically over the next few weeks, it’s hard to see him returning next season.
#5. Mike McCarthy
If it’s hard to imagine Mike Zimmer returning for the 2025 season, it’s nearly impossible to picture Mike McCarthy still wearing Cowboys gear next year.
McCarthy has long been known for his ability to build regular-season winners. While his postseason failures have been well-documented, he was at least able to field teams that dominated in the regular season. This year, however, that hasn’t been the case, putting his job in serious jeopardy.
The veteran head coach is in the final year of his contract, and after a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations, the Cowboys now look like they’ll miss the playoffs altogether. This is precisely why Jerry Jones chose not to give McCarthy a contract extension before the season began. Given the circumstances, McCarthy’s time in Dallas seems all but over.
