Dallas Cowboys Offseason Checklist

The Dallas Cowboys offseason started with a controversial coaching hire. Brian Schottenheimer was promoted to the role of head coach after serving under Mike McCarthy as the team’s offensive coordinator last season. With Schottenheimer and most of his staff in place, Dallas is turning its attention to free agency and the NFL draft. The Cowboys’ roster is full of holes, so each move will be crucial in setting the team up for success in 2025. I’ve listed a few important moves Dallas can make this offseason to fix its current issues.

Restructure Dak Prescott’s Contract

As much as some Cowboys fans may fantasize about trading Prescott and starting fresh, that isn’t a realistic option. Dak Prescott is set to have nearly a $90M cap hit in 2025. That number severely restricts the Cowboys’ ability to add talent in areas of need. If Dallas restructures Prescott’s contract, they could free up about $37M in space this offseason. This would give them the flexibility to build out a complete roster.

Sign a Veteran Receiver in Free Agency

There are plenty of areas of need on the Cowboys’ roster. One of the primary weaknesses shown in 2024 was the lack of a consistent pass-catching option behind CeeDee Lamb. While players like KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert have stepped up at times, the Cowboys are in need of another option. Veteran receivers like Chris Godwin and Amari Cooper are available in free agency. Dallas should look to sign one of these players, allowing themselves to focus on other needs in the draft.

Draft in the Trenches

The Cowboys can take a page out of the Eagles’ playbook and focus on drafting in the trenches. This year’s draft class is loaded with talent up front, especially on the defensive line. With DeMarcus Lawrence hitting free agency and weak depth on the interior of the defensive line, the Cowboys have the opportunity to add multiple contributors. 

In the Cowboys’ current situation, it is unlikely that every area of need will be sufficiently addressed this offseason. This team is likely at least a couple of years away from being truly competitive. However, Dallas has opportunities to make moves to set themselves in the right direction going forward. The Dallas Cowboys offseason is crucial for their trajectory over the next five years.

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