The fans’ expectations, as always, are high in Dallas right now, but three Cowboys legends may hold even higher hopes for the 2024 season.

With so much tension around the team’s postseason failures, the focus has been solely on-field for the Cowboys faithful.

And that is how it should be.

It has been decades since Dallas put a true winning product on the field.

Since last October:
Stars — Western Conference Finals
Mavericks — Western Conference Finals
Rangers — World Series Champs

Cowboys: No NFC championship appearance since the ‘95 season

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) May 19, 2024

Simply put, it is tough to be sentimental when you can’t get to the NFC Championship game.

However, I think some fans are going to find themselves getting there by the end of the 2024 season.

This offseason already saw Cowboys legends like Tyron Smith walk out the door.

And in recent years, Travis Frederick, Jason Witten, and more have stepped away from the game.

Unfortunately, I think we will see even more of that after this year.

Let’s talk about the three Cowboys legends who might be wearing the star for the final time in 2024.

Zack Martin’s Farewell Tour?

Few in the history of the NFL have had better runs than All-Pro Guard, Zack Martin has.

But, all great runs must come to an end.

As sad as it will be for fans (and for Dak Prescott), 2024 seems like it could be it for Martin.

Cowboys guard Zack Martin: Retirement in "realm of possibilities" after 2024 seasonhttps://t.co/GvIhbpMMUC pic.twitter.com/sEvGfqCU8Z

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 5, 2024

At 33 years old with 10 NFL seasons under his belt, Father Time is already calling his name.

And as of last month, reports are backing that possibility up.

Martin seems to be at least considering retirement, which means even if he plays past 2024, he doesn’t have much more than that left.

This would be a major blow to the Cowboys’ roster, for obvious reasons.

He’s been an All-Pro in every year but one, and his leadership is crucial on offense.

Martin is a first-ballot Hall of Fame player and the definition of a Cowboys legend.

Zack Martin — career

First Team All-Pro selections — 7
Holding penalties — 7#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/z0z5vE5Eb2

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) July 2, 2024

And despite the looming age issue, he is balling out.

2023 was not his absolute strongest, but if a Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod are the results of your “decline” year, you are doing something right.

His 2024 performance and health may swing the pendulum for either another year or retirement.

Either way, Martin is a sure-fire Ring of Honor inductee.

One-Year Deal for Ezekiel Elliott

In an offseason full of departures, and virtually no additions, Ezekiel Elliott’s return to Dallas headlined things.

He was one of just a couple of external additions from the Dallas front office.

And it seemed like a reunion was always going to happen.

The only reason “Zeke” was cut loose was because of money.

He loved Dallas, his teammates loved him, and the front office still believed he was a starting running back.

Dak Prescott when asked how the last few months have been with Ezekiel Elliott back in the building:

“The f-ckin’ best.” pic.twitter.com/ila7riqItn

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 5, 2024

It was simply a salary cap issue and wanting to get Tony Pollard reps.

Now, in 2024, Elliott is back on a one-year deal to stabilize the Cowboys roster in the running game.

But it seems unlikely he’ll get much more time than that.

Next season, Elliott will turn 30, and he’ll need a new contract.

You can never put it past Jerry Jones’ love for Elliott to extend him, but logistically it doesn’t make great sense unless he balls out in 2024.

This reunion should be fun at times, but it is also likely the last one for this Cowboys legend.

DeMarcus Lawrence Pushed Out?

The longest-tenured defensive player on the Cowboys roster seems all but guaranteed to play elsewhere in 2025.

DeMarcus Lawrence, the team’s second-round pick in 2014, is in the last year of his deal.

And between his age, price tag, and the drafting of Marshawn Kneeland, it seems unlikely he’ll get extended.

So, what would Dallas miss most from Lawrence?

For starters, we are talking about the best leader on the team.

With all due respect to Prescott, Martin, or any other veteran, Lawrence is the best captain they’ve got.

DeMarcus Lawrence handling the pregame speech pic.twitter.com/teN4qAdJ0M

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 14, 2024

His fire and tenacity, on and off the field, is a staple of the Cowboys roster and it would be badly missed.

Additionally, his production is still elite; don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t.

The narrative that Lawrence is “overpaid” is absurd; he is the most underrated defensive end in the NFL.

Especially in the running game, the guy is an absolute menace to opposing offenses, and 19 tackles for loss over his last two seasons shows that.

I would love it if this Cowboys legend stayed for 2025 and beyond.

But similarly to Martin and Elliott, it just doesn’t seem realistic at this point.