The 2024 season was dubbed “The Season of Stale” for the Cowboys, as Dallas not only let most of their internal free agents leave but also largely dismissed significant external options. Citing financial constraints, the Cowboys opted to address their growing roster needs with rookies and what they deemed cost-effective post-draft acquisitions. This strategy led to predictable outcomes, with the team entering the season facing significant talent gaps across their depth chart.
Stephen Jones of the front office justified their lack of offseason activity as a necessary measure to retain high-priced players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. However, available contract data suggested there were multiple ways to create financial flexibility without incurring future penalties. Despite this, the front office continued to maintain a roster reflective of their choices. With the Cowboys sitting at a disappointing 5-8 and heading towards their first losing season since 2020, there was hope that the front office had realized their mistakes and that better days were on the horizon. Yet recent comments from Jones seem to contradict this optimism.
Jones acknowledged the financial challenges ahead for this year and next, citing the impact of dead money tied to players no longer with the team. Currently, the Cowboys have $27,323,246 in dead money, a significant figure, but not unprecedented compared to other teams; as reported in November, 26 teams have higher amounts. This figure isn’t as dire as Jones suggests. Even if they were to cut players like Terence Steele in 2025, the Cowboys would still be in a better position than many in the NFL. Adjustments to veteran contracts and a new deal for Micah Parsons could free up over $100 million in the offseason, allowing the Cowboys to construct a competitive roster without heavily deferring costs.
However, for this financial flexibility to be viable, the front office must actually be willing to spend that money, and past actions and current comments indicate a lack of intention to do so.
