Are Jerry Jones' Dallas Cowboys 'Tanking' the 2024 NFL Season?

The Cowboys are stagnant as contenders bloom. ... leading critics to wonder about the "all-in'' plan.

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and chief operating officer Stephen / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Should Dallas Cowboys fans be concerned about the lack of offseason moves thus far? The short answer is yes and it grows more definitive the longer you ponder the question. ... all of which has raised serious questions about "the plan'' - to the point some wonder if there is such a thing as "tanking'' in the offseason.

Dallas entered this spring with a golden opportunity to improve after yet another shortcoming, but there's been minimal change. Yes, there have been victories. Linebacker Eric Kendricks joined the defense and cornerback Jourdan Lewis and special-team standout C.J. Goodwin are among those retained, as was running back Rico Dowdle. But it just doesn't feel like it's enough to move the needle, especially during an offseason where there's been no shortage of player movement elsewhere.

Dallas isn't in the market for a quarterback, so Kirk Cousins going from Minnesota to Atlanta or Russell Wilson's relocation from Denver to Pittsburgh isn't a missed opportunity for the Cowboys. But we've also seen wide receiver Stefon Diggs get traded to Houston, Calvin Ridley join the pass catcher room in Tennessee and perhaps the most relevant change, running back Derrick Henry signing with Baltimore.  

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tries to get past Houston Texans linebacker Denzel / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA

Why is that last note relevant? Henry recently said playing in Dallas would've been a "perfect situation." 

"I knew once free agency started that I wanted to work something out [with the Ravens] if we could," Henry said on The Pivot podcast. "Even though I'm living in Dallas and Dallas being a perfect situation, as well, because we lived there, we ain't got to move. But at the same time, Ravens, the history of it, and then talking to Ray (Lewis) at the Pro Bowl, his passion about the organization, his impact there and how he talked about it. I was like, man, if I'm not in Tennessee or I don't get to go to Dallas, I'd love to be a Raven."

Jul 31, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and chief operating officer Stephen / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

If you're looking for a missed opportunity, there it is, especially because Dallas would've practically swapped now-Titans running back Tony Pollard for Henry. 

The Cowboys' silent offseason has been met with loud projections. There are questions about a team with three straight 12-5 seasons now failing to make the playoffs. Indeed, the inaction speaks so loudly that Dallas should feel obliged to answer a question that would seem absurd if not for the lack of effort: Are they even trying to win in 2024? Are they conceding toward a re-build in 2025?

Is it possible the Dallas Cowboys are "tanking'' in 2024 - and have decided to do it already?