The NFL free agency period is a time for teams to improve their rosters, make bold moves, and position themselves as contenders for the upcoming season. However, for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, this year’s free agency has been anything but successful. Instead of making impactful signings or securing key players, Jones has watched as other teams aggressively improved while the Cowboys remained stagnant. As a result, he’s being viewed as the NFL’s biggest loser at the start of free agency.
A Silent Start While Rivals Get Stronger
While other teams wasted no time making major moves, the Cowboys have been unusually quiet. Their biggest headline so far has been the release of veterans like Tyron Smith and Michael Gallup, rather than any significant additions. Meanwhile, division rivals such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders have made strategic signings to strengthen their rosters.
The Cowboys entered free agency with several glaring needs, including offensive line help, defensive depth, and another offensive weapon to support quarterback Dak Prescott. Yet, rather than making splash signings, Jones and the Cowboys’ front office have remained passive, frustrating fans who expected an aggressive approach.
The Dak Prescott Dilemma
One of the biggest issues hanging over the Cowboys is the future of quarterback Dak Prescott. With just one year left on his contract, the team has yet to reach an extension agreement, leaving uncertainty about the direction of the franchise. Many expected Jones to make moves that signaled a commitment to winning now, but his inactivity only raises questions about whether the Cowboys are truly all-in on competing for a Super Bowl.
Letting Key Players Walk
Another blow to the Cowboys’ offseason has been their inability to retain key players. Tony Pollard, the team’s top running back, signed elsewhere, and long-time offensive tackle Tyron Smith is also gone. With no clear replacements, the Cowboys are left scrambling to fill major holes in their roster.
Compare this to teams like the Houston Texans, who aggressively added talent to support their young quarterback, or the Detroit Lions, who bolstered their defense. Dallas, meanwhile, seems stuck in neutral, making them look like one of the league’s least ambitious teams at the start of free agency.
Is Jerry Jones Still Committed to Winning?
At 81 years old, Jerry Jones has long been known as one of the NFL’s most aggressive owners. However, this offseason raises questions about his current approach. While he’s often been criticized for overpaying in free agency, this year, he’s taken the opposite approach—doing almost nothing.
Cowboys fans are understandably frustrated. The team has been stuck in playoff mediocrity for decades, and with a roster that isn’t getting any younger, now was the time to make bold moves. Instead, Jones’ reluctance to spend money or make trades has left the Cowboys looking like losers in free agency.
Conclusion
The offseason is far from over, but the Cowboys’ slow start to free agency has already set a troubling tone. With no major signings, key departures, and uncertainty surrounding their franchise quarterback, Dallas appears to be falling behind. Jerry Jones, once seen as a bold decision-maker, is now looking like the NFL’s biggest loser at the start of free agency.
If the Cowboys want to change that narrative, they’ll need to act fast. Otherwise, another disappointing season could be on the horizon—one that might finally force Jones to rethink his approach.
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