While the 2025 offseason is already a step in the right direction from 2024, the Dallas Cowboys have not proven themselves as winners by any stretch.
At this point ... they're fighting to earn a passing grade in the eyes of some.
There have been some key departures and signings, but so far, their free agency activity has seemed more "selective" than "aggressive" ... maybe, even to the point of being "passive.''
This was not what COO Stephen Jones envisioned conversations to be like after coining this offseason's new slogan.
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Some important moves include re-signing defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, acquiring two starting-caliber linebackers, and turning Kavontae Turpin into the highest-paid special teams man in the NFL.
On the other side, impact pieces like running back Rico Dowdle, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Jourdan Lewis, among others, have signed elsewhere in free agency.
Not to mention Zack Martin's retirement and Dallas continually losing bidding wars for players in needed positions.
USA Today, like many in Cowboys Nation, is not fond of Jerry Jones and the Cowboys' overall performance this free agency.
Nate Davis handed out report card grades for all 32 teams as we've reached the next phase of free agency that turns toward the NFL Draft.
The Cowboys were given a D. That mark tied the second-worst grade in the league with the San Francisco 49ers - just one spot ahead of the Atlanta Falcons' D-.
(New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers were given "incompletes" as they wait on Aaron Rodgers news ... sure.)
The scale seems a little harsh when you remember how San Francisco has jumped into a full-blown restart by giving up on multiple stars to prepare for an eventual QB extension...
Dallas has at least made an effort to target the positions that lack the most depth. Davis, however, isn't buying it.
"They got off to a nice start, extending DT Osa Odighizuwa for four years and $80 million without having to franchise him … and then Jerry Jones and Co. reverted to form," Davis said.
"DE DeMarcus Lawrence and DB Jourdan Lewis left in frustration. Dallas downgraded from DE Chauncey Golston to bring back Dante Fowler Jr. and let promising (and fresh) Dowdle go, opting instead for a dubious RB tandem of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders."
A lot to unpack here ... but first claiming Fowler Jr. is a downgrade from Golston is a bit of a stretch. The Cowboys are also very likely to continue improving the running back situation from somewhere in the Draft.
Davis added: "Trades for former first-round LB Kenneth Murray and CB Kaiir Elam were borderline bizarre if not all that costly for players who likely otherwise would've been cut."
These seem like fair arguments based on Murray and Elam's recent seasons, but some type of attention shown to two key positions should count for something ... right?
Davis concluded with the argument he and most Cowboys fans agree on most: the ever-growing waiting game of Micah Parsons' new contract.
Related: What Is Jerry Jones' Cowboys' Salary Cap Plan?
"Micah Parsons seems destined to wait for his second contract … until Jones is likely obligated to pay him more than what [Ja'Marr] Chase just got from Cincinnati," Davis said.
Unless Jerry wants to make Micah the highest paid non-quarterback on the eve of the new season (we've seen that before), then he shouldn't be surprised when the price increases after each stalling day.
We aren't saying the Cowboys should be at the top of the class, but surely they've done better than a failing grade ...
Right?
Maybe the execution can (and will?) be better here soon, but you can't knock the effort. If this offseason is a D so far, then we can safely assume 2024's was an F.
Nonetheless, that's a step in the right direction ... but Dallas still has time to improve before the semester ends.
Related: Cowboys Get Brutal Reality Check In NFC Rankings
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM.