Returning Dallas Cowboys star explains there were ‘dark times’ in his career as he prepares for the 2024 season

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The Dallas Cowboys are entering a precarious time for the franchise and are embracing an all-or-nothing season with their current situation.

Jerry Jones has made it clear that Mike McCarthy will need to deliver postseason success or he can kiss goodbye to potential extensions in Dallas.

Bill Belichick is fishing for the head coaching job and only wants to work for the 81-year-old owner, per ESPN.

Dallas front office has saved money to pay key starters in the near future

Dak Prescott wants an estimated record-breaking extension with the Dallas Cowboys but could be tempted by the idea of free agency as he enters a contract year.

Moreover, the front office has had to be stringy with their offseason finances because CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons need to be paid.

Vice President Stephen Jones has stated that saving money through limited free agency is a smart move because of the future contracts being shipped to key players.

Eric Kendricks remains the only established upgrade of the outside free agents

Outside free-agent signings have been hard to come by with the only established upgrade being veteran Eric Kendricks.

The linebacker department was stripped to its bare bones in 2023 and Kendricks can rediscover the First-Team All-Pro form under Mike Zimmer in 2019.

In addition, Ezekiel Elliott has returned after a lone season with the New England Patriots.

Royce Freeman will serve as another experienced short-yardage back, in a rushing room that lacks an established RB1.

However, the franchise has welcomed the return of defensive back Jourdan Lewis on a one-year deal.

Jourdan Lewis returns to the Dallas Cowboys after landing on the open market

The seven-year veteran has returned despite several key starters leaving during the free agency spree.

After star cornerback Trevon Diggs was injured, attention shifted to secondary pieces Lewis, DaRon Bland, and Stephon Gilmore.

Of the 16 regular season games in 2023 Lewis started eight recording 52 tackles with (36 solo).

Furthermore, he recorded five passes defended, one interception, and three forced fumbles at nickel.

Lewis made a strong comeback for the 2023 season after suffering a season-altering fractured foot that nearly forced him to retire the year before.

Lewis spoke to the media about the effect his 2022 foot fracture had on his mental state

The 28-year-old spoke about the mental effect the injury had on his career before his 2023 season.

“There [were] always dark times. I knew I was going to come back, but I didn’t know what timeline it would be,” Lewis explained to the Dallas Cowboys media.

“I didn’t start playing well until a quarter of the season was over. That was really where the dark times were — trying to get back to form and performing to my best abilities.”

New DC Mike Zimmer will be Lewis’ new coach heading into 2024

Lewis will now be under the watchful eye of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer who replaced the outgoing Dan Quinn.

The defensive back is heading into his eight-season with his fourth DC, averaging a coordinator change every two seasons.

“There is definitely going to be a learning curve whenever you play for a new coordinator,” Lewis explained.

“But at the same time, we’re professionals. That’s our job to go out there and perform in any scheme that we’re in.”