The Dallas Cowboys are focused on the 2024 campaign as the NFL playoffs continue. This summer will see a
substantial amount of roster turnover in Dallas due to the team’s 14 pending free agents and severe cap constraints.
In light of this, we examine three players today who most likely played their final game with the Cowboys.
Tony Pollard, the running back for the Cowboys, had a mixed 2023 campaign. With 1,005 rushing yards on 252
carries and a career-low 4.0 Y/A, the 26-year-old concluded the season. Pollard did have a career-high 56 first down
rushes and six rushing touchdowns, but his effectiveness was lacking until midway through the season—possibly a
hangover from an injury.
Pollard scored four of his six rushing touchdowns, made 29 first down rushes, and broke 14 tackles in Dallas’ final
eight games of the regular season. Though it was never consistent, he began to exhibit glimpses of the explosive
rushing back we saw in 2021 and 2022.
Pollard was a very productive player in Dallas for his five years there, but it would not be in anyone’s best interests to
have him return for the upcoming campaign. Spotrac projects that Pollard will fetch a three-year contract for $19
million on the open market. It would be absurd to sign Pollard to a multi-year contract given Dallas’ cap restrictions.
Although Pollard had a successful tenure in Dallas, the running back is probably going to try to sign a long-term
contract this spring. In light of this, it is highly likely that he will be playing for a different team in September.
Although injuries had a significant role, one of Dallas’ biggest swing and misses in recent memory was the signing of
Michael Gallup by the Cowboys in March of 2022, on a five-year contract. After tearing his ACL at the end of the
2021 regular season, Gallup never really seemed to get well, and over the previous two seasons, he seldom played a
role in Dallas’ offense.
Following the injury, Gallup appeared in 31 games during the regular season but only managed 73 receptions for 842
yards, averaging just 27 yards per game, and a terrible 55.7% catch percentage. Out of the 31 games played after his
injury, 10 saw Gallups catch one or less receptions. Five times in Dallas’ last seven regular season games in 2023, the
former third-round pick had one reception or fewer.
Although it’s difficult to envision Gallup’s time in Dallas ending in this manner, it would be absurd to cut him this
offseason. If Gallup is a post-June 1 cut, Dallas may save $9 million against the limit and incur just $4 million in
dead money, according to Over the limit.
It appears that Gallup has played his final down as a Cowboy, and making this move is practically certain.
The 2023 Cowboys might not make the playoffs without Stephon Gilmore. When Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL tear
early in the season, the seasoned cornerback became even more important to Dallas’ defense.
During his rookie campaign in Dallas, the 33-year-old former All-Pro enjoyed an exceptionally successful season.
With just four touchdowns allowed, a 55.8% completion percentage, and an 82.7 passer rating when targeted,
Gilmore concluded the season with impressive numbers. Over the last nine games of the regular season, Gilmore
gave up 215 total air yards, or slightly less than 24 per game, against Dallas.
The veteran had some difficulty versus the Packers in Dallas’ playoff game. After hurting his shoulder against
Washington, Gilmore was obviously not at full strength, and it was evident. Nevertheless, Gilmore was a key
component of the Cowboys defense and had a fantastic season.
In an ideal scenario, Gilmore would return to the Cowboys, and he, Trevon Diggs, and DaRon Bland would have
perhaps the best CB room in football the next season. Sadly, things aren’t always ideal, and Gilmore will probably
charge too much for Dallas to hire him.
Spotrac projects that Gilmore will get a $11 million, one-year contract this spring. The Cowboys would be wise to
offer the cornerback a one-year contract, but a five- to six-million dollar offer would be more feasible if Dallas
wanted to keep the player.
Although Gilmore was a fantastic addition to the Cowboys, this offseason he will probably be lured away by a team
with more contract space.
