The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads in their 2024 season, and while many fans and analysts keep repeating Jerry Jones’ ill-timed “All In” mantra, it’s becoming more evident that the Cowboys’ fate is heading towards the inevitable—”Organic Tanking.” But what does that really mean for a team that’s still in competition mode, despite sitting at 3-6? And why are the rumors about Ryan Tannehill coming to Dallas so misplaced?
“All In” Is About the Present, Not the Future
Jerry Jones’ infamous “All In” declaration from the offseason was never about rebuilding or focusing on the future—it was about pushing his chips into the present, even as the team’s trajectory shifted toward something else entirely. At 3-6, the Cowboys are still trying to compete, still clinging to the hope that they can turn things around. Yet, the math doesn’t lie: Dallas is in a downward spiral, and at some point, they’ll have to face the reality that their playoff hopes are almost certainly out of reach.
That’s when “Organic Tanking” will inevitably come into play. The phrase doesn’t mean the Cowboys are losing on purpose; rather, it’s about the natural course of events when injuries pile up, players underperform, and the team fails to meet expectations. Dallas won’t intentionally tank—but it’s becoming clearer that they’re heading down a path where losses might just pile up anyway.
But let’s not confuse this with the kind of future-focused, long-term planning that many rebuilding teams adopt. Dallas has no intention of shipping out all its pieces to stockpile future draft picks. Instead, they’re essentially “All In” on the present with a win-now mentality, even though the team’s future could be in jeopardy. For Jones, it’s all about maximizing this window—even if that window is closing faster than anyone in the Cowboys’ organization would care to admit.
The Tannehill Talk: A Solution to What Problem?
Enter the rumor mill that’s pushing the idea that Ryan Tannehill—the former Titans quarterback who hasn’t played in over a year—could be the answer to Dallas’ woes. The theory goes something like this: Tannehill is a Texas native, a former first-round pick, and with his experience, he’d be the “perfect” fit for a Cowboys team in need of a veteran presence at quarterback.
But here’s the thing: this idea is absurd. Ryan Tannehill is 36 years old, has been sitting on his couch since the end of the 2023 season, and the Tennessee Titans made it clear they were moving on by not bringing him back. In fact, the Miami Dolphins, who drafted Tannehill in 2012 and have struggled with quarterback injuries of their own, didn’t bring him back, either. If these two organizations—who’ve seen Tannehill up close and personal—have decided he’s no longer the answer, why should the Cowboys believe that he’s the guy to turn their season around?
Moreover, Tannehill is now years removed from his best football. Sure, he made a Pro Bowl in 2019, but those days are behind him. The Titans—a team that has been far from a Super Bowl contender—opted to let Tannehill walk in favor of Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill’s own backup. And Tannehill would come to a Cowboys team that is already struggling to compete and likely needs a future-facing quarterback—someone who can lead them through the inevitable rebuild, not just plug the gap for a year.
Let’s not forget, Cooper Rush—whom the Cowboys have relied on as a backup—has shown that he can manage the offense without completely sinking it. While Rush may not be the savior some fans had hoped for, he’s certainly not a liability either. In fact, Rush has been serviceable and, at times, effective in place of the injured Dak Prescott. So why on earth would Dallas want to swap him out for Tannehill, a quarterback who might be marginally better at best, but more likely a net negative? The goal shouldn’t be to just fill a void for the sake of filling it; the goal should be to build for the future while still being competitive.
Why “Blow It Up/Remodel” Is the Only Realistic Path
The truth is, Dallas’ 2024 destiny is already pretty much set. The team’s season is spiraling, and while they still have a shot at making some noise, it’s becoming increasingly likely that they won’t make the playoffs. And when that reality sets in, it’s time for “Organic Tanking.” This isn’t about actively tanking for draft picks. It’s about accepting that the current roster is underperforming and that there’s no quick fix in the form of a 36-year-old, past-his-prime quarterback.
The “Blow It Up/Remodel” approach we’ve been advocating for since the offseason is becoming more necessary by the day. The Cowboys need to look long-term and think about the future of their quarterback position, and the future of the team as a whole. Trey Lance and Cooper Rush will likely be the quarterbacks moving forward, with the team leaning into the development of Lance as a potential successor to Dak Prescott—if not a valuable trade piece in the near future.
While Jones might still be holding on to the “All In” mantra, the reality is that Dallas needs to face the music. They’re at a crossroads, and attempting to bring in Tannehill won’t change their destiny. It would only delay the inevitable.
Conclusion: A Reality Check for the Cowboys
So, what part of “Organic Tanking” don’t people understand? The Cowboys are not intentionally losing games, but they’re inevitably heading towards a season where the losses will pile up. Ryan Tannehill is not the answer, and Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are the realistic quarterbacks for the rest of the season. Instead of chasing after fleeting solutions like Tannehill, the Cowboys need to refocus on their long-term vision and consider what comes next in the post-Dak Prescott era.
Dallas will likely continue to try to compete, but sooner rather than later, it’ll be time to shift gears and prepare for the future. In the end, “Organic Tanking” might be the Cowboys’ best strategy—not as a way to lose on purpose, but as an acknowledgment that this season is slipping away, and a rebuild is necessary. If Jerry Jones can’t see that, the math will take care of it for him.
