The Dallas Cowboys have a reputation for being cheap in free agency. It's no secret that the front office built its roster primarily through draft success and homegrown players. But the Cowboys are also off to a bad start in terms of holding their own team together. They lost three key starters/role players on Monday, with C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dorrance Armstrong, and RB Tony Pollard all agreeing to contracts with new teams. There were also previous reports that the Cowboys could lose long-time LT Tyron Smith, which could make things even worse for the team.
For many fans, it was frustrating to see the most valuable team in professional sports become the only one in the NFL to make no moves on Monday. This came months after fans expected Jerry Jones' “all in” comments to mean the team would be run in a way the fanbase hadn't seen in recent days.
As usual, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman did what fans expected from the Cowboys and displayed the “all-in” talent that Philadelphia has come to expect. They made a shocking move by signing running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.5 million contract that immediately improves their offense. They didn't stop there, the team also added DE Bryce Huff, who was fresh off a 10-sack season with the New York Jets.
The other three NFC East teams were aggressive in improving their teams on Monday, as the Washington Commanders signed running back Austin Ekeler as well as several key defenders. Dan Quinn signed Biadasz and Armstrong from the Cowboys and gave them both great contracts. Although the New York Giants lost Barkley, they traded for star pass rusher Brian Burns and acquired one of the most impressive defensive lines in the entire NFL.
The Cowboys continue to use the same formula they have used the past few years and continue to produce the same results in the playoffs. At some point, the front office has to realize they're behind the curve. Not only are they behind in the NFL overall, but they are also behind in the NFC East. There are more questions and holes on this roster than in previous years, and there's no reason to believe the 2024 Cowboys will be in a better position than they have been in recent years.
