This term is hardly ever linked with the Dallas Cowboys. However, following reports that Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury is likely to end his season, not just interrupt it, “America’s Team” has regressed to being akin to the Carolina Panthers.

This is a disappointing turn for owner Jerry Jones, who perpetually insists that he is fully committed to the 2024 season, a claim that now feels hollow. After achieving three consecutive 12-win seasons, two of which led to NFC East titles, his team notably missed out on key free agents this year, had a lackluster draft, and only recently settled important contracts with Prescott and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Their current record stands at 3-5, placing them 13th in the NFC.

This was the situation before the severity of Prescott’s injury became known following the Week 9 defeat against the Falcons in Atlanta.

This raises an important question: What should fans and this team anticipate going forward?

Just recently, Jones’s team faced criticism over a questionable trade with Carolina, acquiring wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, a second-round draft pick in 2023 who underperformed in Charlotte with 55 catches and no touchdowns over 24 NFL games. The Cowboys gave up a fourth-round pick for him. Mingo is set to participate in nine games under an offensive system that may not even be in place by next year, and he’s unlikely to develop any chemistry with Prescott.

Meanwhile, All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is nearing a return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for over a month. But it makes one wonder if that’s a good move for either the team or Parsons. He’s expected to receive a massive contract next offseason and is crucial to the defense. Given that this season seems lost, it might be wiser to protect him from additional risks.

If there is any excitement in watching backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance play, that’s questionable. Rush, who turns 31 soon, salvaged the 2022 season by going 4-1 in Prescott’s absence due to a thumb injury, but he mainly succeeded against weaker opponents, intending to eventually return to Prescott’s leadership. This time, however, that won’t happen. As for Lance, the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick last year to bring him from the San Francisco 49ers, where he was the No. 3 overall draft choice in 2021. While there’s potential for Lance to improve with the right guidance, he hasn’t even secured the backup job from Rush yet. Both are free agents after this season, and with Prescott’s hefty four-year, $240 million extension secured before the 2024 opener, this isn’t exactly an environment to nurture a young quarterback.

Perhaps fans can take comfort in one final sendoff for soon-to-be free agents like consistent All-Pro guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, or WR2 Brandin Cooks. But With Prescott sidelined, perhaps the Cowboys will finally examine their running back options, especially since Rico Dowdle has been consistently impressive compared to aging stars like Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. It would certainly please Dowdle’s fantasy managers and possibly benefit the team’s new quarterback, although he, too, is unsigned beyond 2024.

Cowboys supporters might also welcome the potential decrease in prime-time games that disrupt their personal lives. The Cowboys usually attract huge TV ratings, but will the NFL retain three exclusive broadcast slots at AT&T Stadium for matchups against the Texans, Bengals, and Buccaneers this year? Especially since the NFL can flex those Monday night games to more exciting matches?

The Cowboys could still play the role of spoilers, with upcoming games against bitter rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, who are both likely in contention for the divisional title. However, any victories may provide just a fleeting satisfaction, alongside worries about their draft positioning for 2025, which may not yield many standout prospects. Sadly for their fans, it appears Dallas won’t be poor enough to land a player like Colorado’s Travis Hunter next spring.

However, one key subplot deserves attention.

Amid the turmoil, Jones must consider whether to keep head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract ends at the close of the season following his failure to secure an extension in light of the ongoing chaos. McCarthy holds a regular-season record of 45-30 in over four years with the team, but he’s also notorious for his playoff record of 1-3, including a disastrous 48-32 home loss to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round last January.

After nearly 30 years without reaching the NFC title game and the Super Bowl, a team has surprisingly made it back to this level, and many were surprised he was able to endure the tough loss against the Packers.

Perhaps it’s worth watching to see where this journey goes. For now, Cowboys fans have every reason to feel disillusioned – at least for the next ten months or so.

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