The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers are both playoff teams with a strong chance of returning to the postseason in 2024, but that doesn’t mean that they are immune to criticism.
Both of these teams were mentioned by Mike Jones in his offseason winners and losers column for The Athletic as teams that fell short of expectations with their respective offseason decisions.
Among the things Jones didn’t like about San Francisco’s post-season actions were the team’s failure to upgrade the offensive line and their split with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
“The 49ers had a relatively quiet offseason after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl,” Jones wrote. “They selected Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who might not be ready for prime time until 2025, and granted Christian McCaffrey an extension. Can Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Jordan Elliott help a defense that lost Armstead and Javon Kinlaw find new life under first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen?
In addition to adding linebacker De’Vondre Campbell as insurance while Dre Greenlaw heals from a torn Achilles sustained in the Super Bowl, the 49ers strengthened a couple defensive spots, as Jones previously reported. They didn’t, however, bring in any well-known players to prepare for a potential championship run.
The front staff obviously believes they already have all the ingredients needed to win, and their opportunity to win the Super Bowl is wide open.
Conversely, the Cowboys experienced one of the most silent offseasons in NFL history following owner Jerry Jones’ declaration that the team would be a major force in free agency.
The only players who signed in free agency who weren’t on the roster the previous season were running back Ezekiel Elliott and linebacker Eric Kendricks. Aside from Elliott, Dallas failed to make an upgrade at running back, which is perhaps its most pressing need.
Jerry Jones, according to Jones, “took a frugal approach to the offseason.” In the meantime, the Cowboys failed to choose a running back in the draft and lost Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard, and Dorance Armstrong. After Philadelphia’s hectic summer, it is difficult to picture Dallas winning the NFC East.
Although it’s difficult to think of the Cowboys roster for 2024 as being better than the one from the previous season, the team appears content to ride it out with quarterback Dak Prescott playing in a contract year.
