“Dallas Cowboys’ Offseason Moves—or Lack Thereof—Fuel Growing Playoff Doubts”
The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason strategy has left fans and many NFL analysts puzzled. Despite owner Jerry Jones’ bold claim to go “all-in,” the team’s roster has seen little change with just a month before the season begins. This lack of activity has been noticed, especially in the betting community, where ESPN predicts the Cowboys will win over 9.5 games in the 2024 season, though they have +125 odds to go under that mark.
During an “NFL on ESPN” segment, betting analysts Tyler Fulghum and Joe Fortenbaugh discussed these predictions. Fulghum specifically focused on the Cowboys, noting a significant shift in betting odds: the team’s line originally opened at over 10.5 wins but has since dropped to 9.5. This change reflects the team’s perceived downward trend and the disappointment among fans even before the season starts.
Fulghum was critical of the Cowboys’ offseason decisions—or lack thereof:
“The market has already reacted to the disappointment surrounding Dallas. When I consider what they’ve lost and what they’ve done to replace it, the answer is nothing. ‘All In’ Jerry Jones has done little for this roster beyond trying to secure extensions for his key players.”
While acknowledging that the Cowboys’ schedule isn’t overly challenging, Fulghum emphasized that their NFC East rivals have strengthened their teams.
The Giants, Commanders, and Eagles have all made significant roster improvements, potentially making it harder for Dallas to succeed. This competitive environment led Fulghum to question whether a 10-win season is realistic for the Cowboys without further roster upgrades.
Fulghum isn’t the only skeptic. Veteran NFL analyst and former quarterback Tim Hasselbeck expressed similar concerns, even predicting that the Cowboys might miss the playoffs entirely.
Hasselbeck, speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, identified the Cowboys as the NFC East team most likely to miss the postseason.
He compared the Cowboys to the 49ers, noting that both teams are dealing with distractions related to key players seeking new contracts. However, he pointed out that Dallas’s situation is particularly unstable, with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all needing extensions, putting additional pressure on the front office.