Can Cowboys Make Noise – ‘Within Our Means’ – in Free Agency

If you pay close attention, you can hear the collective groan of Dallas Cowboys supporters during the “legal tampering period” when their team sat on their hands

Although this is nothing new—longtime supporters are aware that the Cowboys often have a significant say in free agency—what has happened or hasn’t happened puts an incredible amount of pressure on a club that has a lot of work ahead of it to succeed in 2024.

The Cowboys now have additional roster gaps to fill as Tony Pollard (Titans), Dorance Armstrong, and Tyler Biadasz (both Commanders) all left via free agency, as was to be expected. This created a “Losers” atmosphere from Day one.

As a result, the Cowboys will need to sign four players from the draft: a run-stopping defensive tackle, a running back, an offensive lineman, and a linebacker. That sounds like a big order based on the draft class from the previous year.

Though it’s only been one day, so panic stations aren’t exactly breaking out just yet, is Jerry Jones and the Cowboys hierarchy engaging in “bad management,” as Dez Bryant claims? Let’s measure things using the running backs market as a prism.

Consider Austin Ekeler’s move to the Washington Commanders. A two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, which isn’t even $6 million APY. That seems affordable for the Cowboys.

And then there’s Derrick Henry, whose name has consistently been associated with Dallas. This time, though, it genuinely makes sense—despite the fact that CowboysSI.com has consistently reported that Dallas is not making a serious pursuit of the Titans star.

Saquon Barkley was a major issue for the New York Giants, but he becomes even more problematic when he is positioned behind the offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles. Twice a year, Dallas’ inability to halt runs will suddenly be put to the test.

The Giants signed Devin Singletary (3 years, $16.5 million), the Bears signed D’Andre Swift (3 years, $24.5 million), the Chargers signed Gus Edwards (2 years, $6.5 million), the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson (3 years, $11.25 million), and the Bengals signed Zack Moss (2 years, $8 million). In addition, the Packers signed Josh Jacobs (4 years, $48 million). And just for the record, Moss did get a call from Dallas.

Moving to Dallas is it time? For a purpose beyond a mere “call”?

Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry & Aaron Jones: Can Cowboys Make Noise – ‘Within Our Means’ – in Free Agency?

As expected, the Dallas Cowboys were very quiet as the NFL’s “legal tampering period” began. Is it time to make some noise at running back?

If you listen closely, you can hear the collective groan of Dallas Cowboys fans as their franchise sat on their hands as the NFL’s “legal tampering period” began.

Now, this is nothing new, as long-time fans know that the Cowboys are generally big players when it comes to free agency, but what has transpired or hasn’t leaves a team with an absurd amount of pressure on it to perform in 2024 with a lot of work to do.

As expected, Tony Pollard (Titans), Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz (both Commanders) left via free agency – leaving a “Losers” feeling to Day 1 – and the Cowboys now have more roster holes to fill.

That leaves the Cowboys needing to sign four starters (offensive lineman, running back, linebacker, and a run-stopping defensive tackle) ALL from the draft. Based on last year’s draft class, that seems like a tall order.

 

Now, it has only been one day, so it isn’t exactly at panic stations yet, but is this “bad management” (as Dez Bryant asserts) by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys hierarchy? Let’s use the prism of the running backs market as a gauge …

Consider Austin Ekeler’s move to the Washington Commanders. A two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, which isn’t even $6 million APY. That seems affordable for the Cowboys.

Then there’s Derrick Henry, who has always seen his name linked with Dallas. Only this time, it actually makes sense … even as CowboysSI.com has written repeatedly that the Titans star is not being heavily pursued by Dallas.

Saquon Barkley was a serious problem with the New York Giants, but now put him behind the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, and you have a big problem. Suddenly, Dallas’ run-stopping weakness will get a litmus test twice a year.

Additionally, the Packers signed Josh Jacobs (4 years, $48 million), the Giants signed Devin Singletary (3 years, $16.5 million), the Bears signed D’Andre Swift (3 years, $24.5 million), the Chargers signed Gus Edwards (2 years, $6.5 million), the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson (3 years, $11.25 million) and the Bengals signed Zack Moss (2 years, $8 million). … Moss, by the way, did receive a call from Dallas, for what it’s worth.

 

Time for a Dallas move? For something more than a “call”?

Dez Rips Cowboys ‘Bad Management,’ Worries About ‘Losing Season’

NFL Network’s Jane Slater says she was told the Cowboys are “shopping within their means” … Again, that doesn’t scream “all in.”

Henry now has an offer from Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Packers have cut Aaron Jones (CowboysSI.com has reported that Dallas has interest here) and the Bengals have cut Joe Mixon.

As soon as the legal tampering period started, a number of teams went on the offensive, grabbing important chess pieces to bolster their lineups. As for the Cowboys, Jerry Jones’ “all in” declaration suddenly seems like a publicity stunt, and they appear perfectly happy to sit back and let the chips fall where they may.

As our Mike Fisher has often stated, “Sometimes the Cowboys seem like a marketing company that plays football on the side.” That statement resonates now after a Day 1 of the free agency period in which Dallas was among the few teams that literally did nothing.

The Cowboys have made an effort to convey the idea that their strategy will be “different.” Then, we didn’t purchase it. And since it pertains to 2024, there is no incentive to purchase it, barring any movement this week, whether at running back or elsewhere.

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