1997 Dallas Cowboys season

The 1997 Dallas Cowboys season would mark their 38th in the NFL and for the first time since 1990, the team would suffer a losing season and miss the playoffs.

Regular season
Though the season began well with an impressive win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys would soon see a sharp decline that included five consecutive loses to closeout the year. A series of countless off-the-field incidents, lack of discipline, and rumors of infighting between quarterback Troy Aikman and head coach Barry Switzer plagued the team throughout the year. In a season filled with injuries and controversy, which also saw a tearful Michael Irvin promising change following a tough loss to the New York Giants in the final regular season game, Switzer would later resign after the season. Notable additions to the team were linebacker Dexter Coakley.

Awards and records

 * Troy Aikman, Walter Payton Man of the Year Award