As the Dallas Cowboys endure a turbulent 2024-25 NFL season, many fans and analysts alike find themselves questioning just what went wrong. With high expectations riding on the team following a summer of major signings and contract extensions, including blockbuster deals for quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys were widely seen as contenders in the NFC. However, after a series of disheartening losses, Dallas finds itself three games out of the playoff picture, leaving its once-promising season hanging by a thread. According to CBS Sports, a recent poll of reporters indicated that while the Cowboys have been a letdown, they are not considered the league’s most disappointing team this year. That dubious honor goes to the New York Jets, another franchise weighed down by high expectations that has failed to meet them.
The Cowboys entered the season as one of the top five favorites in the NFC, a position cemented by their roster depth, their experienced coaching staff, and the return of seasoned players. But as Dallas heads into Week 11 with a dismal 3-6 record, it’s apparent that the team’s impressive offseason moves have not translated into the on-field dominance many anticipated. Instead, Dallas now sits far from both the NFC East title and a wild card playoff spot, leaving fans to wonder if they should already shift their focus to the future.
Following their recent blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas’s postseason prospects dropped below one percent, according to ESPN. This shocking turn of events raises questions about what went wrong for the Cowboys this season and, more significantly, what their plan is moving forward. Injuries have certainly played a role in the team’s decline, with Prescott sidelined after a torn hamstring, leaving backup quarterbacks to carry the offensive burden. But injuries alone don’t explain the drop in performance, as even with Prescott, the Cowboys struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm and capitalize on their defensive strengths.
While injuries, play-calling, and execution issues contribute to the Cowboys’ season, their struggles also highlight potential concerns about management’s ability to make necessary mid-season adjustments. Critics argue that the team’s strategy appears reactive, rather than proactive, in addressing gaps, especially when it comes to critical areas like the offensive line and secondary. If the Cowboys wish to return to the competitive form that fans expect, there must be a larger focus on a strategic overhaul, possibly even revisiting the coaching staff’s structure and approach.
Adding further to fans’ frustration is the fact that the team’s failure to address key roster gaps in the offseason left them with a vulnerable depth chart. With a one-dimensional offensive scheme and inconsistency on the defensive end, the Cowboys’ flaws have been exposed, game after game, by opponents who’ve easily exploited their weaknesses. The loss of several key free agents and a lack of equally impactful replacements have also made it difficult for Dallas to keep up with high-stakes rivals.
CBS Sports sums up the Cowboys’ plight well: “Dallas had the fifth-best odds in the NFC prior to the season. Heading into Week 11, the Cowboys are not only barely in contention for the NFC East but also three games out of the final playoff berth.” For a franchise that has not reached the Super Bowl since 1995, the pressure from both fans and management to deliver results is now greater than ever. Yet, in light of the league’s other significant letdowns this season, Dallas narrowly avoids the league’s “most disappointing” label. But as Cowboys fans well know, narrowly avoiding the bottom doesn’t mean much to a team defined by its lofty aspirations and “America’s Team” moniker.
As the Cowboys grapple with what appears to be another failed season, the coming months may bring necessary changes. The lack of immediate solutions for both the short and long-term might suggest that a larger overhaul is on the horizon for the organization. Whether that will be with the current leadership and coaching staff, or if owner Jerry Jones will pursue a more drastic shakeup, remains to be seen. For now, Dallas Cowboys Nation can only watch and wait as the season continues, hoping that a brighter future lies ahead.
