After a season of disappointment and under achievement, one word that creeps into every die-hard fan is change. Back in September, the Dallas Cowboys were one of the Las Vegas favorites to get to the Super Bowl. Naturally, after a 9-7 season, we all want some sort of change.
By now, we know that said change will not come in the form of a new head coach. Or, if we're being honest with ourselves, probably not even in the form of different coordinators.
So, then what?
We've seen a coaching carousel lately in Dallas with a lot of moves going on. Just about every position coach is leaving or interviewing with other teams, Kellen Moore is set to be the new QBs coach and so on.
But heading into the offseason, it's inevitable to think about how many changes we could see in the Cowboys' offense.
Recently, fellow Staff Writer Brian Martin wrote about how the Cowboys should build a Prescott-friendly offense for Dak Prescott. Despite a struggling season, Dak Prescott shouldn't be evaluated or replaced after just two seasons. Even if overreactions around Cowboys Nation tell you otherwise.
Even still, it's more than fair to criticize an offense that was far from meeting expectations last season. All this leads to a lot of questions about where the future of this offense is headed.
Is Dez Bryant still worth the money he's being paid?
Should he be officially replaced by another WR1, something he hasn't been for a long time?
The Cowboys have a ton of needs, and even though we're used to the idea of defense always being our top priority in the offseason, this time it might be different.
This team really needs to get Dak a best friend, a receiver who can create separation. A good route runner.
Who knows, maybe Dez isn't here next season. But even if he is, he probably won't be “the guy” when it comes to catching Dak Prescott's passes.
What about Cole Beasley?
Whether we like it or not, he's another guy whose play wasn't as good as 2016. With him going into his final year under contract, is it possible the Cowboys explore other options?
Despite not getting a lot of playing time, Ryan Switzer showed very promising flashes when he was asked to fill Beasley's spot in the season finale at Philadelphia. I can't help wondering if Switzer will be able to earn a more involved role on offense as the slot wide receiver next year.
Perhaps in the long run, he's the better option for the Cowboys instead of the guy who'll be 29 when the 2018 season arrives.
Now, Jason Witten is my all-time favorite Dallas Cowboy. But if we're being real with ourselves, even if he's still as reliable as ever, he isn't a very dangerous player anymore. The coaching staff should find a way to do something similar to what the Chargers have done with Antonio Gates and add a younger, more dangerous tight end to play alongside Witten.
Before the 2017 season began, the Cowboys were expected to be one of the best offenses in the NFL. They failed to meet expectations. We know the coaching staff isn't changing at the “big three” positions, but maybe we see it in the form of players.
