The Dallas Cowboys have difficult decisions to make about several prominent players.

Teams around the NFL build their rosters around certain players. These players are considered cornerstone players because they are the foundation on which things are built. And of course, the Dallas Cowboys are no different.

Even though they decided not to re-sign one of their long time cornerstone players this offseason in Tyron Smith, the Cowboys still have several others still on the roster. Of those though, a few of them could potentially be playing their last season with Dallas in 2024.

Today, we are going to take a look at a few cornerstone players whose future with the Cowboys may or may not extend beyond the 2024 season. For varying reasons, each one of them could be facing a swan song season this year.

RG Zack Martin

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The Cowboys selected Zack Martin with the 16th overall pick in the first-round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Since then he’s been a nine-time Pro Bowler (2014-2019, 2021-2023), a seven-time First-team All-Pro (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021-2023) and a two-time Second-team All-Pro (2015, 2017). And to think, they almost drafted Johnny Manziel over him.

Sadly, the future Hall of Famer’s time in Dallas could be coming to an end. He’ll turn 34 (November 20) this season and has only one year remaining on his current contract. His age and the wear-and-tear he’s sustained throughout his career looks as if it could be catching up with him. Will he retire? Will he be re-signed? Will he be playing elsewhere in 2025?

DE DeMarcus Lawrence

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

The Cowboys traded up to select DeMarcus Lawrence with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Throughout his career he’s been one of the better all-around defensive ends as both a run defender and pass rusher. He’s also been a four-time Pro Bowler (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023) and a Second-team All-Pro in 2017.

Much like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence has an expiring contract after the completion of the 2024 NFL season. The soon-to-be 32-year-old (April 28) has had back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons and is still playing at a high level. Despite that though, he may be a victim of a Micah Parsons contract extension. D-Law’s time in Dallas could come to an end after 2024.

QB Dak Prescott

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Dak Prescott was the Cowboys fourth-round pick (135th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft. After Tony Romo sustained a season-ending back injury in preseason, Prescott took over as the full-time starter and never looked back. He’s been the most important player on the entire team and the three-time Pro Bowler is coming off an MVP-caliber season.

Prescott’s future in Dallas seems a little murky right and there are conflicting reports about his contract situation. Some say the Cowboys will let him play out his current deal and hit free agency next year, while others say an extension could still happen at some point. If the former is true, 2024 could very well be his last playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

Jadeveon Clowney Is Recruiting 2X All-Pro Away From Dallas Cowboys

Oct 7, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) evades the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is hot on the recruiting trail days after signing with his hometown team, the Carolina Panthers. Clowney is trying to help rebuild a roster that finished dead last season in the league. And he’s looking for a key player from the 2023 Dallas Cowboys.

Jadeveon Clowney wanted to be closer to home

Clowney turned heads this week when he turned down opportunities to play for the New York Jets or return to the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams are expected to be in the playoff hunt in the upcoming season. Clowney wanted to return to the Carolinas, and he’s trying to recruit other local talent.

Clowney wants a former Dallas Cowboys player to join the Panthers

Per video posted by Matt Vereen with Wach Fox of Clowney at a press conference Friday, the new Panthers pass rusher said he’s trying to persuade Stephon Gilmore to sign with the Panthers.

"I'm trying to get him to pull up too. Do the Rock Hill thing, the South Carolina thing"

New Panther Jadeveon Clowney (@clownejd) says he's hit up fellow Gamecock product and Rock Hill native Stephon Gilmore (@BumpNrunGilm0re) to come join him in Carolina@GamecockFB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/mimVLUgB57

— Matt Vereen (@MattVereen) March 29, 2024

Gilmore is a local from the Carolinas

Gilmore is from Rock Hill, South Carolina. Gilmore is a two-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl nominee. The 33-year-old played for the Dallas Cowboys last season after being traded there by the Indianapolis Colts. He hit free agency this offseason.

Gilmore played for the Panthers in the 2021 season. He’s reportedly talking to the Panthers about signing with Carolina for the upcoming season.

Gilmore said earlier this offseason his “goal” was to return to the College for the 2024 season. But we’ll see if the lure of returning home trumps a rebuilding season in Dallas.