Will Cowboys regret being inactive during free agency's early window?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones forgot Dallas was supposed to go "all-in" this offseason.
Through the first two days of the NFL's negotiating window, the only move the Cowboys have made is reaching a one-year agreement with long snapper Trent Seig, per ESPN's Todd Archer. They also lost former Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard, who plans to sign a three-year, $24M deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Meanwhile, NFC East rivals upgraded their rosters. The Eagles agreed to terms with two-time Pro Bowl RB Saquon Barkley. The Commanders plan to add former NFL touchdown leader RB Austin Ekeler and the Giants acquired two-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Brian Burns in a trade with the Panthers.
"Maybe the Cowboys' problem these past three years, the reason they have cruised in the regular season and been bruised in the playoffs is they weren't challenged enough in the NFC East," wrote Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. "Well, if that's the case, the Cowboys were super productive Monday. The rest of the division got better. They got worse."
Dallas lacks cap space, which may explain the inactivity. Spotrac estimates that the Cowboys have $8.8M. Still, they could've extended quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb—both entering the final year of their contracts—to clear room. Giving Prescott a new deal would save $26.2M, and a new deal for Lamb would save $13.4M.
To improve the roster and win their first Super Bowl in 29 years, the Cowboys must ace the draft on April 25-27. Jones and company will regret dawdling during free agency's early window if they fail to do this.
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