We’re now two weeks into the 2024 free agency season and the scoreboard for Dallas looks frighteningly like the halftime score of the Cowboys’ last game of 2023.
Cowboys Free Agents Resigned
- DB Jourdan Lewis
- RB Rico Dowdle
- LS Trent Sieg
- DB C.J. Goodwin
Free Agents Signed From Other Teams
- LB Eric Kendricks (Chargers)
Players Released
- LB Leighton Vander Esch
- WR Michael Gallup
Free Agents Signed With Other Teams
- DT Johnathan Hankins (Seahawks)
- OT Tyron Smith (Jets)
- DB Noah Igbinoghene (Commanders)
- DE Dante Fowler (Commanders)
- DE Dorance Armstrong (Commanders)
- OC Tyler Biadasz (Commanders)
- DT Neville Gallimore (Dolphins)
- RB Tony Pollard (Titans)
For those keeping score at home that’s 10 players cut or lost to other teams – including four to a division rival.
They managed to retain four of their own while getting only one from another team.
A brutal beginning made worse by the Cowboys’ apparent willingness to spend any money in key areas.
They were in the running for former Colts running back Zack Moss.
But apparently, $4 million a year for two years was too pricey.
This means they were never serious players for the bruising RB1 backs they desperately need.
Remember this frugality in 2024 when Saquon Barkey (Eagles, twice), and Derrick Henry (Ravens), and in 2025 when Pollard (Titans), are carving up the Cowboys’ run defense.
So far, there’s been very little for Cowboys’ fans to get excited about – aside from signing Kendricks.
Even that one feels more like a temporary bandage move.
Is There Even A Plan?
Even given the Cowboys’ recent reluctance to dive into the free agency pool early, the losses are concerning.
Especially with the lack of replacements.
The Cowboys don’t have a lot of money to throw around, even with the restructured contracts of Zack Martin and Dak Prescott.
And they will go into next month’s draft with seven picks. Asking seven rookies to step in and fill areas of need is a big ask.
Not to mention a nearly impossible one.
So are the Cowboys waiting, looking to dig through the bargain bin in free agency to supplement the draft and any undrafted free agents they sign?
That’s certainly one option. But it isn’t one that has a high probability of ending with a Super Bowl trip at the end of the year.
It would be helpful to know what the plan is – or if there is even a plan at all at this point.
Given Jerry Jones’ propensity to be a bucket mouth about players’ injury status and the Cowboys’ game plans during the season, the silence on what the Cowboys have in mind is frustrating.
It’s also telling in a way if you look at what they’re doing with this thought in mind: The Cowboys may not be trying to win in 2024.
A Stealth Rebuild In Progress?
If Jones Inc. is about anything it’s about the brand – not the wins and losses – but keeping the money rolling in above all else.
That means fans’ backsides in the seats every home game.
Fans buying the merch in the stores inside AT&T Stadium and online.
So coming out and saying that the plan is to let some contracts play out and allow a player to walk isn’t in line with maintaining the brand.
So instead we get a lot of “All-in,” “working with the cap,” and “we like our guys” comments instead; comments meant to lead us to believe that they are playing to win.
It’s the only way to keep the Cowboys on national TV games and the seats full in the stadium.
But the deeper we get into free agency, and the longer Dak Prescott’s contract issue remains unresolved, the higher the possibility exists that the team is in rebuild mode now.
They just don’t want anyone to know it.
Is A Rebuild A Bad Idea?
No. Because the roster the Cowboys have right now will be lucky to win nine games in 2024 with the teams they are slated to play.
Playoffs?
Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs?
It would take an incredible run of luck – and an unexpected boost to the roster from sources that currently aren’t there – to reach the playoffs in 2024.
There is a real possibility that this is Prescott’s last year in Dallas.
Can anyone justify paying him more than the quarterback who has won three of the last five Super Bowls?
Patrick Mahomes has played in four NFL championship games in just six seasons as a starting quarterback.
Prescott has been a starter for two more seasons than Mahomes.
Prescott hasn’t even won a Divisional round game yet.
And if they were to pay Prescott, where’s the money going to come from to pay CeeDee Lamb or Micah Parsons?
Should they somehow thread that needle and keep all three, how much will they have left over to sign the other 50 players to fill the roster?
Is it possible that the front office has figured out that they cannot afford to keep all three and now it’s just a matter of determining which of them they must keep?
If I were the general manager – as I’ve said many times here before – I’ve already reached the conclusion that this roster cannot take the next step.
I’m making the moves to acquire draft picks and clear cap space.
No one is untradable.
It will take two to three years – like it did in 1989 – but at the end of it the Dallas Cowboys are back to playing to win championships.
Not just pump up the brand and fill the coffers at Jones Inc.
Over the next few months, we’ll see which way the front office is leaning.
I’m hoping they’ll fess up and tell us it’s a rebuild.
At least we’d have something to legitimately hope for — with a chance of it actually happening as opposed to what we’ve dealt with these last 28 years.
