1997 Dallas Cowboys season

1997 Dallas Cowboys season
OwnerJerry Jones
General managerJerry Jones
Head coachBarry Switzer
Home fieldTexas Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place4th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersG Larry Allen
G Nate Newton
CB Deion Sanders (did not play)
S Darren Woodson (did not play)

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.

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.