For three consecutive seasons, the Dallas Cowboys posted a 12-5 record, only to see their playoff hopes dashed in heartbreaking fashion.
Each year, fans were left wondering what could have been had different decisions been made.
But after a dismal 7-10 finish in 2024, there are no lingering “what-ifs” – the Cowboys simply weren’t good enough.
A combination of lackluster roster construction and key injuries proved too much to overcome across 18 grueling weeks.
While no single move could have single-handedly altered the outcome, one offseason decision continues to haunt Cowboys faithful.
When star running back Derrick Henry hit free agency, his potential fit in Dallas seemed almost too perfect – he even owned property near the team’s headquarters.
But instead of making a splashy move, the Cowboys opted for familiarity, bringing back Ezekiel Elliott on a budget-friendly deal.
That decision epitomized the frustration surrounding Dallas’ supposed “all-in” approach, which never truly materialized.
However, Cowboys defensive standout Micah Parsons doesn’t believe Henry would have been a game-changer for the struggling squad.
“I’m afraid Derrick Henry wouldn’t even have helped us,” Parsons admitted on Mad Dog Sports Radio. “The hypothetical can sound pretty good, but we struggled so much that I don’t even know if Derrick could’ve helped us. It would’ve been another Tennessee Titan year for him.”
Henry, meanwhile, made sure Dallas felt his impact – just not in a Cowboys uniform. I
n a Week 3 matchup against his would-be team, the Ravens running back gashed the Cowboys’ defense for 151 yards and two touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry.
While Henry’s presence could have bolstered the offense, his signing alone wouldn’t have saved the Cowboys from their deeper problems.
Injuries to quarterback Dak Prescott, All-Pro guard Zack Martin, and even Parsons himself derailed any realistic playoff hopes early in the season.
The frustration among the Cowboys’ fan base stems not just from missing out on Henry, but from a larger issue: the organization’s reluctance to make aggressive, championship-caliber moves.
That frustration has only intensified as they watch a bitter rival reap the rewards of a similar strategy.
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t hesitate to open their checkbook for Saquon Barkley, and the move paid off – Barkley nearly won the MVP and has propelled Philly to the Super Bowl.
Dallas had an opportunity to secure a similarly elite playmaker but balked at the chance.
To make matters worse, team owner Jerry Jones later compared Elliott to Henry in an attempt to justify the move.
Parsons may be right – adding Henry likely wouldn’t have been enough to turn the Cowboys into contenders.
But what he might be missing is why fans are truly upset. It’s not about one running back. It’s about years of ultra-conservative decision-making that have kept Dallas from building a true Super Bowl-caliber roster.
In other words, many Cowboys fans feel there’s a growing “out-of-touch” disconnect with Jerry Jones and the organization.
What are your thoughts on Parsons’ comments?
In the bigger picture, what do the Cowboys need to do going forward to break their brutally-long Super Bowl drought???
