1997 Dallas Cowboys season
The 1997 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League (NFL) and was the fourth and final season under head coach Barry Switzer. Before the season considered among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXII—which would have been their fourth such appearance in the 1990s—the team took a significant step backwards.
| 1997 Dallas Cowboys season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jerry Jones |
| General manager | Jerry Jones |
| Head coach | Barry Switzer |
| Home field | Texas Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 4th NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | G Larry Allen G Nate Newton CB Deion Sanders (did not play) S Darren Woodson (did not play) |
The Cowboys not only failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 1996, they finished with a losing record for the first time since 1990 and failed to qualify for the playoffs. 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.
Switzer resigned at the end of the season, bringing his coaching career to an end. Chan Gailey would be his successor.