5 key storylines for the Cowboys 2024 season.
There are a lot of critical things for us to focus on right now.
As the start of the new league year approaches, we formally begin the 2024 season. The scouting combine is just days away, and free agency will follow shortly after. Before you know it, the draft will take place, followed by OTAs and the start of training camp. The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason is crucial to the team’s success this year, with frequent roster changes. The 2024 season will have a long-term impact on the franchise. Here are five key storylines for this season’s Dallas Cowboys.
1. Repeat as the division winner.
The Cowboys managed to grab the NFC East division title from the Eagles, who started the season 10-1 before sputtering late in the season, and the Cowboys won seven of their final nine games to finish the regular season. Dallas is anticipated to compete for another division title after winning twelve games for the third straight season. Winning another division title will not satisfy the crowd, but it will demonstrate that the team is consistent and is not letting the disastrous finish of 2023 impact them.
The squad faces a difficult first-place schedule that includes games against the AFC North, which saw three teams enter the playoffs, as well as a battle with this year’s MVP, Lamar Jackson. Dallas will visit Cleveland and Pittsburgh for the first time since 2016. History is not on the Cowboys’ side. The last time a division winner won consecutively was in 2004. Dallas’s rewriting of history is the first major item on their agenda.
2. Which young player will break out?
It flies under the radar, but the Cowboys have a lot of youthful talent to be thrilled about. Think back to last summer. After playing receiver in college, John Stephens converted to tight end to compete for a roster position. Unfortunately, Stephens tore his ACL and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown also ruptured his ACL. Both guys have fascinating upsides that we haven’t seen during the regular season.
In terms of who has played this season, Jalen Brooks has shown flashes of talent when given the opportunity. Juanyeh Thomas was a reserve safety who played more incrementally but has the prototypical stature to be effective. In addition, Brock Hoffman, an interior offensive lineman, demonstrated his abilities in the season finale versus Washington. Finally, can Mazi Smith get started in his sophomore season? The young members of the team may be interesting developments during the season.
3. Can the Cowboys stay one step ahead of the competition?
The Cowboys are hoping to win the division again, but they must first retain an advantage over their division rivals. The Washington Commanders have hired Dan Quinn from Dallas as head coach and are reportedly interested in Caleb Williams, a USC quarterback prospect. Washington has solid veterans, but it is primarily rebuilding. Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles crumbled due to inner conflict. A.J. Brown, a wide receiver, refused to speak to the media for much of the season. The Eagles fired Brian Johnson and Sean Desai, their offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. There have been accusations of head coach Nick Sirianni having multiple conflicts on the sidelines in the absence of their head of security, Dom DiSandro, especially after shoving a 49ers player.
Another talking topic is Jalen Hurts’ leadership and ability to carry the franchise. The Eagles are the division’s clear impediment, so their drama benefits the Cowboys. Finally, the New York Giants are difficult to understand. Are they the playoff-winning club from two years ago, or are they the same lackluster group we saw last season? They still have questions about Daniel Jones, and defensive coordinator Don Martindale left the team following a disagreement with head coach Brian Daboll. They must keep their heads down and follow their course.
4. Return of Trevon Diggs
Trevon Diggs’ season-ending injury was disappointing. Fortunately, the Cowboys were able to withstand his injury, and DaRon Bland replaced him as an All-Pro. Diggs is expected to heal completely, but when he will make his debut is unclear.
Over the last 15 years, the NFL’s rehabilitation from ACL injuries has evolved so dramatically that it’s difficult to predict when Diggs will return to the field. Also, if he is cleared to participate, will there be any hesitancy in his performance? Undoubtedly, the organization is concerned since Stephon Gilmore is a free agency, and there may be a competitive market to retain his services. Nonetheless, Cowboys Nation eagerly awaits Diggs’ return and his pairing with another ball-hawk, Bland.
5. My brother’s keeper.
What if the rumors about Trevon Diggs turned out to be true? What if the Cowboys traded for Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs after connecting the dots for months or years? There have been speculations that Diggs is upset with Josh Allen in Buffalo. At times, his involvement has mysteriously decreased. For example, Allen did not target Diggs in Buffalo’s playoff game against the Chiefs, where a failed field goal sealed the team’s destiny.
Diggs is in the third year of a four-year contract worth $96 million, with a $27.8 million cap hit in 2024. If the Cowboys were to make a trade for the veteran wideout, they would have to surrender no less than a Day 2 selection pick and would almost certainly have to negotiate a contract extension after the move. Diggs, or any trade for a proven player, would be out of character for the Cowboys, but we know it will be a recurring rumor.
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