The Dallas Cowboys’ quiet start to free agency isn’t sitting well with supporters, especially after another postseason flop.
Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones remains steadfast in communicating the organization’s attitude in avoiding big-money free agency deals, regardless of where the team stands with the salary cap.
“I’ve always been of the ilk that in these first couple of days of free agency, you pay good players like they’re great, you pay average players like they’re good and so on and so forth,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. “We believe the market is overvalued. That’s one viewpoint.”
The Cowboys made a lesser move Thursday, re-signing cornerback Jourdan Lewis for a one-year contract. Long snapper Trent Sieg is also returning.
Dallas was the last team in the NFL to sign a free agent from another team, agreeing to terms with Eric Kendricks after the linebacker previously committed to signing with San Francisco.
Instead, Kendricks elected to reunite with new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who was Kendricks’ head coach in Minnesota during his first seven NFL seasons.
Kendricks, who was with the Los Angeles Chargers last season, addresses one of Dallas’ most pressing needs.
The Cowboys haven’t spent big on a free agent in 12 years, and their $50 million, five-year investment in Brandon Carr didn’t yield a significant return.
“There’s a lot to be played out between now and our first game next year,” Jones told reporters. “I don’t think you win a Super Bowl championship on the first, second or third day of the league year.”
Since capturing the title at the end of the 1995 season, the Cowboys have not played in the Super Bowl or even the NFC Championship Game. The most recent failure was a 48-32 wild-card defeat to Green Bay, making Dallas the only home team to lose on the first weekend of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
“I know where the frustration is; it’s the fact that we have not had a lot of success in the playoffs to their satisfaction,” Jones told ESPN. “Until we accomplish that, criticism will undoubtedly persist. But we’re going to continue with what we think will eventually win us a championship for our fans. We don’t define all-in based on how much you spend in free agency.
Jones said a projected salary cap impact of about $60 million in the final year of quarterback Dak Prescott’s $160 million, four-year contract does not limit the Cowboys’ free agency options.
Prescott and the Cowboys have been exploring options, including an extension that would alleviate the salary cap in the short term.
Dallas also has two-time All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons, the 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, on the verge of signing lucrative second contracts.
“Dak’s been willing to work with us,” Jones remarked. “He’s fully committed to working with us, and we’ve had personal meetings with Dak as well. We want to keep it confidential. I won’t get into timelines, but it’s definitely a focus of ours.”
Jones stated that the Cowboys have not ruled out bringing back Tyron Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle. Smith’s second part of a 13-year career has been marred by injuries, but the 33-year-old played 13 games in 2023, the most in four years.
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