NFL free agency winners and losers

[Rockport]

Not surprising that media gives the Cowboys a bad grade. Like many here, they love to crap on the Cowboys. Time will tell whether he ends up being worth a 4th round pick or not. The Karen’s here will pile on with this clickbait.

 

[Ranching]

NFL free agency winners and losers: Jesse Minter, Trent McDuffie up; Vic Fangio, Michael Penix down
Published: Mar 09, 2026
Jeffri Chadiha - NFL.com Columnist

LOSERS

1) Jerry Jones: The Cowboys owner was competing for the right to acquire Maxx Crosby before eventually losing out to the Ravens. It's a legitimate argument that giving up two first-round picks for a player might have been too much to bear -- especially since Green Bay gave up two first-rounders to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas last August, and Parsons eventually sustained a torn ACL late in what had been an impressive year -- but Crosby would've been a game-changer in Dallas. The Cowboys' Plan B turned out to be another trade with Green Bay, this time for the right to acquire edge rusher Rashan Gary in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

Gary is certainly an upgrade on what Dallas already had on the edge. It's also worth wondering how impactful he will be as a Cowboy. Gary was once considered an ascending talent. A torn ACL in the 2022 season changed all that; he hasn't been nearly as proficient at pressuring quarterbacks since he was before that injury. The 29-year-old also is set to count for $19.5 million against this year's cap. There's a reason the Packers were considering releasing him at some point this offseason. Jones certainly found a cheaper option for his pass rush. It remains to be seen if it will be an effective one.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-free-a...ent-mcduffie-up-vic-fangio-michael-penix-down

I guess Sam Williams and Jalen Thompson are chopped liver.

You gave him what he wanted....a click and a share. Now, a bunch of zoners will have a back and forth...Jerry sucks, can't wait til he's gone, I'm sick of this team etc, and then the Kool Aid drinkers, Gary makes more sense, Cosby was on a team that sucked worse than the Cowboys, he's didn't make a difference there, why would that change here? Etc.....mission accomplished...Chadiha appreciates our attention....BTW, I gotta go pour some more Kool Aid. Lol

 

[Creeper]

I am fairly certain if Jerry gave up two first round picks for Crosby they would call him a loser for overpaying. I think the Cowboys did the right thing holding their ground on the two picks.

We'll see what kind of a move Gary turns out to be.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Crosby is not worth two firsts. Glad we didn’t overpay.

Gary is a solid addition and an upgrade, and so is Thompson.

FA is still ahead of us. Add a starting caliber LBer and a good nickel CB, and suddenly we can look at taking BPA on D in the draft, or trade down and acquire more picks.

If you believe you’re close to a Super Bowl he might be worth it. He’s a great player. I don’t think Baltimore is as close as they think. Now they have to come to new terms with Jackson. He might top Dak in AAV compensation. Might.

 

[Davidlee1973]

NFL free agency winners and losers: Jesse Minter, Trent McDuffie up; Vic Fangio, Michael Penix down
Published: Mar 09, 2026
Jeffri Chadiha - NFL.com Columnist

LOSERS

1) Jerry Jones: The Cowboys owner was competing for the right to acquire Maxx Crosby before eventually losing out to the Ravens. It's a legitimate argument that giving up two first-round picks for a player might have been too much to bear -- especially since Green Bay gave up two first-rounders to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas last August, and Parsons eventually sustained a torn ACL late in what had been an impressive year -- but Crosby would've been a game-changer in Dallas. The Cowboys' Plan B turned out to be another trade with Green Bay, this time for the right to acquire edge rusher Rashan Gary in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

Gary is certainly an upgrade on what Dallas already had on the edge. It's also worth wondering how impactful he will be as a Cowboy. Gary was once considered an ascending talent. A torn ACL in the 2022 season changed all that; he hasn't been nearly as proficient at pressuring quarterbacks since he was before that injury. The 29-year-old also is set to count for $19.5 million against this year's cap. There's a reason the Packers were considering releasing him at some point this offseason. Jones certainly found a cheaper option for his pass rush. It remains to be seen if it will be an effective one.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-free-a...ent-mcduffie-up-vic-fangio-michael-penix-down

I guess Sam Williams and Jalen Thompson are chopped liver.

Just a couple of jags buddy.

 

[jazzcat22]

Another idiot hater reporter.

 

[I need 6]

Did you see the contracts that were given yesterday? That's why they secured him before the release.

Exactly! Some tend to ignore that aspect of having to get into a bidding war with other teams and also the dynamic that there is no guaranteed money left on his contract so the Cowboys has the ability to restructure or even cut him with no dead money after the season if it works out.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

In an NFL world where Odafe Owah is a $100 million defensive end, people find fault investing a future 4th round pick in Rashan Gary and taking on a $19 million cap hit (that can be reduced).

 

[Chasing6]

Exactly! Some tend to ignore that aspect of having to get into a bidding war with other teams and also the dynamic that there is no guaranteed money left on his contract so the Cowboys has the ability to restructure or even cut him with no dead money after the season if it works out.

Did you see his stats the last 9 games of the season???

 

[Acceptablename]

NFL free agency winners and losers: Jesse Minter, Trent McDuffie up; Vic Fangio, Michael Penix down
Published: Mar 09, 2026
Jeffri Chadiha - NFL.com Columnist

LOSERS

1) Jerry Jones: The Cowboys owner was competing for the right to acquire Maxx Crosby before eventually losing out to the Ravens. It's a legitimate argument that giving up two first-round picks for a player might have been too much to bear -- especially since Green Bay gave up two first-rounders to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas last August, and Parsons eventually sustained a torn ACL late in what had been an impressive year -- but Crosby would've been a game-changer in Dallas. The Cowboys' Plan B turned out to be another trade with Green Bay, this time for the right to acquire edge rusher Rashan Gary in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

Gary is certainly an upgrade on what Dallas already had on the edge. It's also worth wondering how impactful he will be as a Cowboy. Gary was once considered an ascending talent. A torn ACL in the 2022 season changed all that; he hasn't been nearly as proficient at pressuring quarterbacks since he was before that injury. The 29-year-old also is set to count for $19.5 million against this year's cap. There's a reason the Packers were considering releasing him at some point this offseason. Jones certainly found a cheaper option for his pass rush. It remains to be seen if it will be an effective one.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-free-a...ent-mcduffie-up-vic-fangio-michael-penix-down

I guess Sam Williams and Jalen Thompson are chopped liver.

When you write attack pieces against the Cowboys you get clicks

 

[75boyz]

I was disappointed we couldn’t get a top lb, felt that was a big need

Big need is an understatement.
And still is.

 

[75boyz]

Another idiot hater reporter.

He probably has a Zone account.

 

[I need 6]

Did you see his stats the last 9 games of the season???

Yes however I am not a stat/analytics guy unlike some since I realize that stats don't always paint the full picture. He is a very stout run defender unlike the overrated $47 million dollar crybaby we traded.

 

[MikeT22]

I am personally glad we did not give up 2 first round picks for Crosby

True, but Jerry is still a loser.