NFL Rumors: Rivals Feel Cowboys Regress in 2024 amid Dak Prescott, Belichick Buzz

Rival coaches and executives think the Dallas Cowboys will regress in 2024 for a variety of reasons, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

Opposing organizations listed the Cowboys' scheme change under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as well as the uncertain futures of Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy.

"With head coach Mike McCarthy's expiring contract, the Bill Belichick speculation, Prescott's situation and the loss of Quinn, there are plenty of reasons why the Cowboys are among the favorites to take a step back this season, according to a poll of league coaches and executives The Athletic will release this week," Howe wrote on Monday.

Prescott has a base salary of $29 million in 2024, the final season of a four-year contract that he signed with the team in 2021. He's discussed an extension with the Cowboys' front office, although no agreement has been made with the team's Week 1 contest against the Cleveland Browns approaching.

McCarthy's long-term future in Dallas is also far from guaranteed, especially after a disappointing wild card playoff defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers to end the 2023 season.

ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler reported on April 17 that legendary former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would consider joining the Cowboys if the head coaching job becomes available.

Dan Quinn, Dallas' defensive coordinator since 2021, joined the Washington Commanders during the offseason. He'll be replaced by Zimmer, the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

It may be difficult to imagine Dallas plummeting down the NFC East standings after winning 12 games in each of the past three years, but rival coaches and executives feel that the Cowboys could take a step back in 2024.