Watching the Dallas Cowboys and watching their front office getting torn to shreds over their free agency approach? Name a more popular NFL pastime.
We'll wait.
Last year, as per Jerry Jones' "plan", the Cowboys were not players in free agency, with an eye on 2025. Only Eric Kendricks was signed, and a host of starters and rotational players left.
Fast forward 12 months, and the Cowboys have been significantly more active, signing 10 players in free agency, while re-signing some of their own, too. The problem for most is that none of the signings were "big" enough, despite many already knowing the Cowboys wouldn't be serious players in the first few days of free agency.
But they haven't said on their hands this time, instead adding depth players at positions of need, but for writer Gilberto Manzano, he has ripped the Cowboys, giving their free agency business an F grade.
"It's become somewhat of a yearly tradition for the Jones family to have a quiet free agency," he writes. "They did very little to address the defensive needs outside of retaining Odighizuwa, who has his limitations against the run. The Cowboys likely won't receive much from Fowler and Murray. But Dallas will get an opportunity to address the stagnant rushing attack during a loaded draft for running backs. The Cowboys' boring free agency would have been overlooked had they at least re-signed Micah Parsons."
There's a bit to work through here.
Dallas did address some of its defensive needs with linebacker Jack Sanborn, defensive linemen Solomon Thomas and Payton Turner, three shrewd signings (but both weren't "splashy" enough) that all offer something.
As for Dante Fowler Jr. and the Cowboys not getting much, he is coming off his best season of his career with the Washington Commanders, totaling 10.5 sacks. That has to count for something, right?
We do agree with the Micah Parsons statement, and had his contract gotten done, the mood would be significantly different, but let's not gloss over the fact that Dallas did actually do something this free agency.
No, they weren't the headline-making moves many wanted, but that doesn't mean they are bad moves.
Related: Cowboys Monster Trade Urged For Dangerous All-Decade Receiver
It seems many have preconceived notions about the Cowboys' free agent signings, which is reflected in grades like this. We only have to look at Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, who came from nowhere last season to become an All-Pro, to see that things can go right.
And there's nothing to suggest that Dallas' free agent signings will be bad, or good yet.
So why not let the cake bake?
Related: Could Cowboys Micah Parsons Rumor Lead to Major Receiver Trade?
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 6:38 AM.