With so much uncertainty ahead, Cowboys still have a lot to play for: ‘We’re fighting for our lives’

As Cowboys offensive lineman Brock Hoffman pulled into AT&T Stadium on Sunday afternoon, he watched closely on his phone as Jayden Daniels fired a touchdown pass in the final seconds of the Washington Commanders’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

For Hoffman and the Cowboys, it meant that their slim playoff chances had been eliminated and that the game he was about to play would have to take on a new meaning.

“Let’s see how many people’s season we can ruin,” Hoffman said to himself before walking in.

The first chance at that new objective was a successful one on Sunday night, as Dallas fought out a 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who dropped out of the playoff picture with the loss.

For Tampa Bay, the ramifications were drastic. For Dallas, the win added another notch on the belt of a team that has won four of its last five, despite so many players – and coaches – approaching the uncertainty of the offseason.

“On a deeper level, you got the guy to your left and to your right and things change every season,” defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said. “Nothing is guaranteed after this, so we’re just making the most out of every opportunity that we have to play together.”

Odighizuwa is one of 26 players that have played this season for the Cowboys that will hit free agency this offseason. Half of those have only played in Dallas, and the emotions of it potentially coming to an end in just two weeks isn’t lost, even if the playoff hopes are.

“If it is the last time, why would we sit here and worry about the future when we could live in the moment and enjoy the time with our brothers,” defensive end Chauncey Golston said.

Golston recorded his fourth sack of the season on Sunday night which bested his entire career total of 3.5 coming into the season. Also on a contract year and knowing that his services will be requested when he hits free agency, he’s choosing to stay present with games remaining against the Eagles and Commanders.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” he said about his potential pricetag when the season ends. “I’m just thinking about these next two games. You know how football goes. People be in their breakout year, and then injury. You just got to keep going one play at a time.”

In the midst of a career year, cornerback Jourdan Lewis added a highlight interception to his 2024 resume on Sunday night as he ripped away a pass intended for rookie Jalen McMillan in the end zone to steal away a scoring opportunity for Tampa Bay. As All-Pro and Pro Bowl consideration starts to swirl around Lewis’ name, he’s yet another contract year player that will have a heightened price tag come free agency.

“I just love football,” Lewis said. “It doesn’t matter what contract year it is, I just want to go out there and compete and dominate…I always want to win, no matter the circumstances. When I put my cleats on, that’s my job. I want to go out there and win.”

As the playoff chances officially came to an end on Sunday afternoon, a dialogue on social media began about the Cowboys needing to lose out to attain a higher draft pick – saying, essentially, that there is nothing left to play for.

But with 26 impending free agents playing for the right to continue playing in 2025, every game matters. That’s motivation enough.

“Everything,” quarterback Cooper Rush said on what is left to play for. “This is life, this is ball, this is what you do and you get paid to do it. I don’t think people need much more motivation.”

Even when looking at the rest of the team at players that have their future in Dallas all but locked in, head coach Mike McCarthy praised the strong locker room that has been built for everyone to continue playing with and for each other.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has battled through an AC joint injury in his shoulder for the last eight weeks and noticeably got up grimacing on multiple occasions in Sunday night’s 105-yard performance, remains dedicated to the team around him.

In Sunday’s win that really did mean nothing as far as standings and implications go, it meant everything for the camaraderie and momentum heading into the future.

“I love my brothers that much,” Lamb said. “I’m willing to put my body on the line out there for my guys.”

Dramatic? Maybe to the common person, but not for the Cowboys locker room with two weeks left in the 2024 season.

“We’re fighting for our lives,” defensive end Micah Parsons said.