Jerry Jones previously vowed to be “all in” for the 2024 season, but so far the Dallas Cowboys have essentially not participated in the start of NFL free agency.
Indeed, the Cowboys filled a need by signing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks as a kind of field coach to help his teammates get used to new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's scheme. However, Dallas failed to acquire the most affordable veteran running back in free agency and lost a key piece of its offensive line in front of quarterback Dak Prescott.
Surviving the NFL's worst salary cap situation was an obvious hurdle for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, but it's hard to believe Dallas was able to do it. Better Since the new league year began on March 13th.
It's been five days since NFL free agency officially got underway, and CBS Sports is giving the Cowboys a 'D' grade so far.
“The Dallas Cowboys were the only team in the entire NFL that didn't sign anyone on Monday,” Garrett Podell wrote for CBS. “But they finally got back into action by re-signing long snapper Trent Sieg on Tuesday. This is in direct contrast to owner and general manager Jerry Jones' full insistence that the 2023 season end It's a conflict.
“For the Cowboys to have cap space for free agent players, they will need to extend contracts with 2023 second-team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott and 2023 first-team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. This inactivity shows the Cowboys' front office doesn't care about not being able to make many moves at the start of free agency.
“This casual attitude will only hurt the team, which, among other significant trades, will be acquiring eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and a running back to replace Pollard. Kendricks was a big contract. He fills in the Cowboys' ILB problem, and the fact that he chose Dallas over the 49ers is even better.
Smith ultimately agreed to terms with the New York Jets, creating uncertainty for the Cowboys at one of the most important positions on their roster.
How the salary cap affected the Cowboys' moves, or lack thereof.
No team in the NFL has less spending flexibility than Jones and the Cowboys.
After the first week of free agency, the Cowboys have a league-low cap space of $4.06 million. Those concerns are further exacerbated by the fact that Dallas only has the 13th-most cap space in 2025, currently projected at about $87.1 million.
Restructuring Prescott's contract could free up cap space for the rest of this offseason, but the Cowboys could reach some sort of solution with their franchise quarterback and make one of the top free agents available to date. It was impressive because of the lack of urgency to free up the ability to compete with some people.
Tyron Smith talks about signing with Jets
Following the departure of Tyron Smith, the Cowboys' left tackle job appears to be going to Tyler Smith.
After traveling to the Jersey swamp where the offense was tasked with keeping Aaron Rodgers upright, Smith couldn't hide his excitement.
