The Dallas Cowboys plan to release two key offensive starters over the offseason in order to…

The Dallas Cowboys plan to release two key offensive starters over the offseason in order to…

The Dallas Cowboys are probably still in shock after their surprising and abrupt home defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Packers entered AT&T Stadium as a two-score underdog and had the youngest team in the NFL.

Although there is a lot of conjecture around Mike McCarthy’s future as head coach, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, hasn’t taken any action as of yet.

Rumours have surfaced that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is being interviewed by other clubs to become their next coach, may be kept on and replace McCarthy. Even though Jordan Love, an NFL rookie in his first year of play, and his array of rookie offensive linemen and second-year pass catchers, as well as the dominance of veteran Aaron Jones on the ground, were too much for Dan Quinn’s No. 5 ranked NFL defence to handle, Quinn will almost certainly return to the NFL as head coach following this season.

Naturally, there are also rumours about Bill Belichik, whom former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said they had been acquainted with for some time. Due to egos and personalities, many think it would be disastrous, but one ESPN talent evaluator who was a member of the New England Patriots’ GOAT team thinks it would be a great match.

Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys
There have been rumours linking the Cowboys to Bill Belichick, the former Patriots head coach.
“Bill wants to go someplace with an experienced quarterback who can play the position well and who may want some guidance from him in the playoffs to say, ‘Hey, look, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to support and shield you in this way. Riddick made the comment about Belichick and the Cowboys on Tuesday’s ESPN “Get Up!” show.

A quality team that has finished with three consecutive 12-5 seasons but faltered in the postseason when it counted most would be Bekichick’s to inherit.

McCarthy, who is now (1-3) in the playoffs and often loses games that the Dallas Cowboys should win, may be able to help them overcome the seeming mental barrier. McCarthy is a six-time Super Bowl champion.

But what about McCarthy’s influence on Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offence right away after firing Kellen Moore, who was a front-runner for MVP and ranked in the top five in almost every significant quarterback statistic?

When defences double-teamed CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks provided solid coverage as the team’s genuine dominating No. 1 wide receiver.

Still, Belichick is renowned for his ability to score points. With whom would he replace the current Dallas OC and anticipate a similar outcome?

Dallas won’t put up with the longtime Patriots close, who is also used to complete power over personnel choices. Year after year, Jerry, his son Stephen, and Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay have been in charge of putting together a team full with quality.

Jerry ultimately approves the final decision, but the two are his trusted advisors, and although their record shows they haven’t always been flawless, they have made good draft selections, retained elite players in Dallas via extensions, and added fresh talent through free agency.

That three will need to make important choices this next summer regardless of the coaching scenario, and some surprising names may be released to open up contract space for a club that needs it.

Urged To Split With Star Wide Receiver Dallas Cowboys Michael Gallup of the Dallas Cowboys and Brandin Cooks of the Cowboys Michael Gallup, wide receiver Tom Pennington/Getty Images, December 20, 20
Here’s how B/R’s Kris Knox views the issue for the Cowboys, who, according to OverTheCap.com, are already $16 million above the salary limit going into the summer and will have to watch every dollar.

The starting quarterback is eligible for a contract extension until an unforeseen circumstance causes them to part ways with Dak Prescott as the starting quarterback. Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb, the other two greatest talents on the team, are on rookie contracts and both need extensions.

The Dallas Cowboys brass will thus need to find ways to free up space and make tough choices this summer.

As part of their analysis of the three players each NFL club should cut this offseason, Bleacher Report identified Dallas wide receiver Michael Gallup as one of the individuals it would be wisest to release.

After agreeing to a five-year, $57.5 million contract deal with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, wide receiver Michael Gallup has found it difficult to live up to expectations. Even while he can still produce the odd huge play, Gallup made it obvious that Brandin Cooks had taken over as the number-two receiver this season.

Although Jerry Jones seldom acknowledges bad investment decisions, it’s time to either rework Gallup’s contract or terminate it completely. Knox said in the January 16 piece that “releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $9.5 million in cap space while triggering a dead-cap hit of only $4.4 million.”

Could Brandin Cooks Also Move Both of the Dallas Cowboys’ Starting Wide Receivers?
Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys
USA – Arlington, Texas – November 12, 2023 At AT&T Stadium, wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) of the Dallas Cowboys stiff-arms safety Xavier McKinney (29) during the third quarter. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Tim Heitman
It’s odd that Cooks was also listed as a potential cut candidate for the Dallas Cowboys, even though Gallup makes sense given his prior output.

In a another article, B/R writer Kristopher Knox argues that it might be wise for the Cowboys to cut ties with Cooks and choose a comparable wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Although Cooks isn’t expected to be a free agent, Jones must determine if the 30-year-old wide receiver should be one,” Knox wrote. “Cooks’ $10 million cap hit could be a problem if we keep him.”

“Such a move would prompt Dallas to choose Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka or Oregon’s Troy Franklin as receivers in the draft. Retaining Cooks would help create a challenging cap scenario while also lessening the need for receiver.

Both of the NFL draft possibilities are interesting, but Egbuka has what it takes to be a great player. He possesses a build that complements dependable hands at 6’1” and 205 pounds. However, according to DraftScout, he has a 40-yard sprint time of 4.32, which suggests he may provide something fresh that Brandon Cooks hasn’t: explosiveness.

Cooks’ trade by Dallas was a significant one. It was obvious that Cooks would help the squad, but to what extent? All things considered, he has shown to be a reliable backup.

PFR reports that he hauled in 54 passes for 8 touchdowns and 657 receiving yards. For a No. 2 receiver, that’s not awful, but as Knox pointed out, the price is an issue. Dallas will have to pay Cooks $10 million in 2024, up from the $6 million limit on his deal in 2023.

Given that the Dallas Cowboys have already over their salary restriction for the next season, saving $8 million is an allure. Cooks last had a season with 1,000 yards, and it doesn’t seem like he will be reaching those marks anytime soon. That was two seasons ago.

He is a dependable veteran with a plenty of postseason experience, however. Dallas just lost to the Green Bay Packers 48–32, and he was one of the few bright lights for the team. Dallas may need to maintain that type of reliable presence.

Though it’s tough to envision the Dallas Cowboys part ways with both of its quick deep threat wide receivers, Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks, a strong draft plan or possible trade could replace one or both of them, if that’s the team’s decision.