BTB: 8 Free Agency mistakes Cowboys must avoid

[Coogiguy03]

Here are some free agency mistakes the Cowboys should avoid
by One Cool Customer
Mar 7, 2026

On March 9, hundreds of free agents will become available, and all of them share one defining characteristic: their old team did not want to re-sign them. Perhaps because the team didn’t want to pay the price the player is demanding, perhaps because the player is too old/injured/ineffective, perhaps because the player has fallen out of favor with a new coaching staff, perhaps the player was no longer a scheme fit; whatever the reason, the fact that their old team didn’t want them anymore should make every acquiring team wary of the free agents on offer. Here are a eight common free agency mistakes the Cowboys should be particularly wary of in 2026:

1. The pass rusher coming off a big year
2. Beware the veteran defender from a top defense
3. Ignoring why the old team let the player go.
4. Valuing physical traits over mental capacity
5. The player you’ll ask to do something else
6. You are going to overpay regardless
7. Not being active in free agency at all.
8. Free agency is as much about your own players as it is about external free agents.

More: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...-mistakes-nfl-teams-contract-costs-production

 

[VaqueroTD]

Wow. I didn't realize how many first round picks we had on that defense. Sorry fellas, I have zero faith that Jones, McClay, whomever is making the picks, can actually build a good defense unless Parker ends up being a talent savant.

 

[Mobinvans]

Just do exact opposite that we have been doing

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I will probably get torn apart for making this statement, but the Cowboys do have some talent on defense. I think the problem last year was Eberflus being so stubborn and not adjusting his scheme to match the strengths of the players.

It's not an all-pro unit but Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and a healthy Bland and Overshown are all excellent starting points for Parker to build his defense on.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I will probably get torn apart for making this statement, but the Cowboys do have some talent on defense. I think the problem last year was Eberflus being so stubborn and not adjusting his scheme to match the strengths of the players.

It's not an all-pro unit but Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and a healthy Bland and Overshown are all excellent starting points for Parker to build his defense on.

Yeah there is this new narrative that Eberflus didn’t have talent to work with. I’m not saying he had a great defense but when you have the worst defense in the league that’s bigger then personnel.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Wow. I didn't realize how many first round picks we had on that defense. Sorry fellas, I have zero faith that Jones, McClay, whomever is making the picks, can actually build a good defense unless Parker ends up being a talent savant.

With the exception of a few those guys were busts and not real 1st rounders. Kenny Clark and Quinnen proved their worth. Clowney has had a productive career. That’s where it stops.

 

[Whirlwin]

Wow. I didn't realize how many first round picks we had on that defense. Sorry fellas, I have zero faith that Jones, McClay, whomever is making the picks, can actually build a good defense unless Parker ends up being a talent savant.

He signed so many former first round draft picks, last season to one year contracts. They were old they were beat up. He must’ve thought they had one year left in them. And being first rounders a thought would help. No Jerry didn’t.

 

[Aven8]

Yeah there is this new narrative that Eberflus didn’t have talent to work with. I’m not saying he had a great defense but when you have the worst defense in the league that’s bigger then personnel.

Just getting lined up correctly in the secondary will do some wonders.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Just getting lined up correctly in the secondary will do some wonders.

Exactly. If he can stop the confusion we would get from at least the 30s in ranked defense.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Wow. I didn't realize how many first round picks we had on that defense. Sorry fellas, I have zero faith that Jones, McClay, whomever is making the picks, can actually build a good defense unless Parker ends up being a talent savant.

Problem is we feel that we can change them or bring something out of them that nobody else has been able to do!!!

Just do exact opposite that we have been doing

That may be too hard!! lol

Just getting lined up correctly in the secondary will do some wonders.

I just keep thinking about the Bears game with this comment!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He signed so many former first round draft picks, last season to one year contracts. They were old they were beat up. He must’ve thought they had one year left in them. And being first rounders a thought would help. No Jerry didn’t.

They weren’t even old and beat up they just sucked. Solomon and Clowney weren’t but they were the oldest ones.

Guys just couldn’t play. They kicked the tires. I’m not even upset about that. Kick the tires again because you never I know. They kicked the tires on Javonte and there was something there. Problem is only doing that and nothing else kills us. Gotta do more than just the guys who failed elsewhere.

 

[Whirlwin]

They weren’t even old and beat up they just sucked. Solomon and Clowney weren’t but they were the oldest ones.

Guys just couldn’t play. They kicked the tires. I’m not even upset about that. Kick the tires again because you never I know. They kicked the tires on Javonte and there was something there. Problem is only doing that and nothing else kills us. Gotta do more than just the guys who failed elsewhere.

They were at the end of their careers, they’re not getting re-signed, unless for a back ups. But I agree with you also.

 

[Whirlwin]

They weren’t even old and beat up they just sucked. Solomon and Clowney weren’t but they were the oldest ones.

Guys just couldn’t play. They kicked the tires. I’m not even upset about that. Kick the tires again because you never I know. They kicked the tires on Javonte and there was something there. Problem is only doing that and nothing else kills us. Gotta do more than just the guys who failed elsewhere.

We have a lot of players to replace,
It’s definitely going to look like a different team,
Because 80% of the defense is going already

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Just getting lined up correctly in the secondary will do some wonders.

If Parker and the new secondary coaches can turn Revel and Carson into solid players, things suddenly don't look so bleak.

 

[slick325]

I will probably get torn apart for making this statement, but the Cowboys do have some talent on defense. I think the problem last year was Eberflus being so stubborn and not adjusting his scheme to match the strengths of the players.

It's not an all-pro unit but Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and a healthy Bland and Overshown are all excellent starting points for Parker to build his defense on.

Like the article said: 5) The player you'll ask to do something else.

That was Eberflus last season. Not sure why the Jones boys and Schotty didn't seek a DC who played to the strengths of his players..."You're a press corner? Well, suck it up, buttercup, you're playing zone in our scheme."

 

[Coogiguy03]

Like the article said: 5) The player you'll ask to do something else.

That was Eberflus last season. Not sure why the Jones boys and Schotty didn't seek a DC who played to the strengths of his players..."You're a press corner? Well, suck it up, buttercup, you're playing zone in our scheme."

thankfully those days are gone!!! Cp is here to change it all

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Like the article said: 5) The player you'll ask to do something else.

That was Eberflus last season. Not sure why the Jones boys and Schotty didn't seek a DC who played to the strengths of his players..."You're a press corner? Well, suck it up, buttercup, you're playing zone in our scheme."

Exactly. And the Cowboys did play more press in November in the wins over the Raiders, Eagles, and Chiefs. Then Eberflus went back to his zone and the defense got smoked again in Detroit and that basically ended the season.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I will probably get torn apart for making this statement, but the Cowboys do have some talent on defense. I think the problem last year was Eberflus being so stubborn and not adjusting his scheme to match the strengths of the players.

It's not an all-pro unit but Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and a healthy Bland and Overshown are all excellent starting points for Parker to build his defense on.

Add in younger guys like James and young injured guys like Josh Butler, and there is some decent talent and youth to work with. I think Zimmer was figuring that out with O before his injury, and Eberloser couldn’t figure out his butthole from his mouth hole.

 

[big dog cowboy]

7. Not being active in free agency at all.

That sounds pretty familiar!

 

[speedkilz88]

I will probably get torn apart for making this statement, but the Cowboys do have some talent on defense. I think the problem last year was Eberflus being so stubborn and not adjusting his scheme to match the strengths of the players.

It's not an all-pro unit but Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and a healthy Bland and Overshown are all excellent starting points for Parker to build his defense on.

No such thing as an all-pro unit. But Quinnen Williams has been all-pro (2022). Agree on Eberflus.