The NFL's annual spring meeting in Florida is currently taking place, giving the Dallas Cowboys' brass an opportunity to talk with the media. Executive vice president Stephen Jones was available to answer questions about the Cowboys' offseason thus far, which gave him a chance to once again infuriate his fanbase.
In speaking about their offseason moves, Jones said the quiet part about the team's free agent philosophy out loud.
"We’re not done yet. We still got some things that are outstanding that we’re trying to get done. Missed a few guys along the way too in terms of the number just being a lot higher than we thought it would be on a couple guys. Overall we’re real pleased with what we were able to do with our roster and help the team.”
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In simpler terms, the Cowboys missed out on some of their targets because the team wasn't willing to pay what the market dictated. This is a longstanding offseason tradition for the organization, only willing to pay what they believe his worth to be. It's an important distinction that keeps the Cowboys from improving through free agency.
The front office set their bar on outside free agents at $6 million a season years ago, and they've decided anyone who goes above that number is out of their price range. It's an absurd way to do business in free agency, where good players are expected to sign where they get the most money and security. Dallas, with their one-year deals and always trying to find a bargain, have a hard time competing with the rest of the league.
So, who are these players the Cowboys missed out on along the way? Jones didn't provide the names, but the team was reported to be in on linebacker Dre Greenlaw and wide receiver Cooper Kupp before they saw what it would take to sign him, as well as LB E.J. Speed, who recently signed with the Houston Texans.
Jones could also be talking about trying to re-sign some of their own players who left for greener pastures. The Cowboys wanted cornerback Jourdan Lewis to return, as well as defensive ends Chauncey Golston and DeMarcus Lawrence, but they signed for more money elsewhere. Lewis pointedly said the team friendly deals were over, and took a much better offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.
Unlike last year, the Cowboys have done an admirable job in adding free agents this offseason, but none were considered top-tier targets. The team has signed eight outside players and traded for two more, but haven't improved enough to claim they're ready to compete with the better teams in the league.
What they have done is what they always do, acquired cheap veteran players at positions of need so they can focus on the best player available when the draft arrives. Most of the Cowboys' roster holes have been filled, but that doesn't mean they've added quality players.
Jones said prior to free agency that the team would be "selectively aggressive," and that has proven to be the case. The Cowboys were active in the open market, just not with any difference makers, which leaves the question that's been asked a thousand times in the last two weeks since the team has stalled at adding free agents.
Why did the Cowboys free up all that cap space with restructures for quarterback Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb if they weren't willing to spend it?
If the intention was to use it on a higher caliber of player than they usually acquire in free agency, why didn't the Cowboys spend the extra money it would take to sign them? The Cowboys have plenty of cap space, they shouldn't be priced out on anyone they really wanted to sign.
The money was there to pay the price of adding a quality free agent, they just decided against it. Now the team has the extra cap space with nothing to do with it, pushing space into future years for no reason.
