Three Storylines to Watch as the Cowboys’ Season Winds Down
The Dallas Cowboys are staring down the barrel of playoff elimination. One more loss or a single win by the Eagles, and the math becomes official. But while the postseason door is just about shut, the final three games of the regular season still carry weight - not for playoff seeding, but for jobs, contracts, and the future of the franchise.
Here are three storylines that could shape the Cowboys' offseason long before it officially begins:
1. Can Matt Eberflus Salvage His Role in Dallas?
Let’s be honest - the Cowboys' defense has been a liability all season, and the numbers back that up in neon lights. Through 15 weeks, Dallas ranks 29th in total yards allowed per game (374.9) and 31st in points surrendered (30.0). That’s not just bad - that’s bottom-of-the-barrel, and it’s a glaring indictment of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' return to Dallas.
Eberflus, who was let go by the Bears in 2024, hasn’t found much redemption in his first year back with the Cowboys. Opposing quarterbacks have been feasting - J.J.
McCarthy being the latest. The Vikings’ rookie lit up Dallas for a career-high 250 passing yards in Week 15.
He’s now the fourth QB this season to post his best passing day against the Cowboys, joining Caleb Williams, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields in that not-so-exclusive club.
Owner Jerry Jones didn’t mince words this week on his regular radio appearance.
“We let their quarterback have a big day on us,” Jones said. “That wasn’t the plan.
We could have used more pressure, without question… It seems like we’re always saying that about these quarterbacks. Some of them hadn’t played as well, but when they play us, they play better.
I think that’s telling, too.”
That’s as close as you’ll get to a public warning shot from Jones. And Eberflus is responding - making a late-season shift to the coaching booth for the final three games. The idea is to gain a better vantage point and make quicker adjustments during games.
“It’s a chance for me to get good perspective, get good information, see the game develop,” Eberflus said. “I’m going to go upstairs and call from up there.”
It’s a last-ditch move, but potentially a meaningful one. If the defense can show even modest improvement over the final stretch, Eberflus might have a case to return. But if it’s more of the same - missed tackles, blown coverages, and quarterbacks looking like Pro Bowlers - the Cowboys could be looking at their fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
2. Will George Pickens Finish Strong - and Secure His Future in Dallas?
George Pickens came into 2025 with something to prove - and for most of the season, he’s done just that. Playing on the final year of his rookie deal after being acquired in the offseason, Pickens has been the Cowboys’ top weapon through 14 games: 81 catches, 1,212 yards, and eight touchdowns.
All career highs. All team highs.
But lately, the production has cooled. Over the last two games, Pickens has just eight receptions for 70 yards and no scores. And while that’s hardly enough to erase what he’s done this year, it has sparked some questions about his long-term future in Dallas.
The Cowboys could still use the franchise tag in 2026 if they’re hesitant to commit to a long-term deal. But a strong finish would make that decision a lot easier - and a lot more expensive. If Pickens can bounce back over these final three games, it would not only quiet the doubters but also solidify one of Jerry Jones’ best trades in recent memory.
“Just one day at a time,” Pickens said this week. “You never know what can happen, so I just keep grinding.”
That mindset has served him well so far. Now it’s about closing strong and locking in a future that, quite frankly, he’s earned.
3. Can Trevon Diggs Change the Narrative - or Is This the End of the Line?
Trevon Diggs has had a frustrating, up-and-down season - and that’s putting it mildly. The former All-Pro cornerback has missed nine games due to knee soreness and has been at the center of some behind-the-scenes tension as he’s worked his way back from injured reserve.
After his 21-day practice window opened, Diggs voiced frustration about feeling ready to play while the team held him out. That frustration hit a boiling point last week when he was part of the game plan all week, only to be told the day before the game that he wouldn’t be active.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has pointed to “consistency” as the reason for keeping Diggs sidelined. But this week, the tone shifted.
“Diggs is having a very good week,” Schottenheimer said. “What I’ve loved about him is he’s having fun playing football. He’s smiling and running around.”
The Cowboys activated Diggs off IR on Saturday, and he’s set to suit up Sunday against the Chargers. It’s a big moment - not just for this season, but for his future in Dallas.
Here’s the reality: the Cowboys can move on from Diggs this offseason with a post-June 1 designation. That would save them $15.5 million in 2026, with a relatively modest dead cap hit under $3 million. That kind of cap flexibility is tempting - especially if the front office feels Diggs’ best days are behind him.
But if Diggs can deliver in these final games - show flashes of the ballhawk who once led the league in interceptions - he might just flip the script. If not, the writing may already be on the wall.
Final Thoughts
The Cowboys may be out of the playoff race, but these last three games are far from meaningless. For Matt Eberflus, it’s a final audition.
For George Pickens, it’s a contract showcase. And for Trevon Diggs, it might be the last chance to prove he still belongs in Dallas.
The scoreboard might not matter in the big picture - but the performances will. And for a franchise that’s always thinking big, the next three weeks could shape the offseason in a major way.