I'm old enough to remember when the Cowboys, including Don Meredith, Bob Hayes, Bob Lilley, and Mel Renfro, earned the nickname “Next Year's Champions” after consecutive playoff losses. Ta. Tex Schramm and Tom Landry were able to keep the core of the team intact until they reversed fortunes. This Cowboys team has the same championship-worthy core, but in today's free agency/salary cap era, is it possible to keep that core intact long enough to reverse this trend? What should I expect? – Russell White/Orange City, Florida
Nick Eatman: Of course, it is impossible to do it the same way as it was back then. Because, like you said, the salary cap is there and the better the team is, the more attractive free agency with other clubs becomes. But when it comes to superstars, I think the Cowboys can keep Dak, Sheedy, Micah, Diggs, and most of the O-line. The others are also locked away in a safe place. But the important thing will be to continue drafting at a high level. I say that because I know the Class of 2023 has actually accomplished very little. But this team needs to acquire more players of the Daron Brand type — whether it's stealing a Pro Bowl talent in the fifth round or acquiring Brandon Aubrey from the USFL. We have to find a cheaper way to get paid superstars to perform.
Patrick: this is mine [added] loss problem. It's not just that they lost, it's not just the manner in which it happened, where it happened, and against whom it happened, it's simply that they lost before retreating. He's not going to keep getting opportunities to run to the bowl. Average occurs. And in today's NFL, that happens much more often and quickly because of the way free agency and the salary cap work. The team that saw them win a district title and the No. 2 seed in this year's playoffs won't have the same members (or coaching staff to some extent) when training camp begins in July. They have 15 pending free agents, coaches are interviewing and key player contract negotiations are on the horizon, making it a war of attrition in this league. So even if the Cowboys leave without anyone on their coaching staff (to be determined), more than a third of the 53-man roster is expected to be replaced in some way, making it difficult for coaches. will further increase. This is why it's Super Bowl or bust. Because busting has far-reaching consequences and ripple effects.
