What is the Cowboys reasoning for delaying contract signings?

[Coogiguy03]

Could someone please help me understand why we do this, why we think this is some kind of special tactic to use? I'm sure "other teams do this too" but we're focusing on the cowboys. What is the reasoning, has the player not shown enough, is it the agent, is it both, or the Cowboys just aren't sure the player fits in their plans?

It's kind of hard to believe as the Cowboys have great things to say about every player. If you ask them, you always hear positive feedback on how they WANT said player to return and play for them, yet they stall and take their time. I realize it's good to see what the market is set at, but find out what the market is, and get the player signed. Often times we run the price up by waiting too long, doing the opposite of what we want to do. We all know they're cheap, yet they wait and wait things out, only to see the price increase! Please give your thoughts on this

 

[big dog cowboy]

We all know they're cheap, yet they wait and wait things out, only to see the price increase.

Big and little think it makes them look smart. Like they got the best deal. And by getting it done last minute like they are these shrew negotiators. Plus it keeps the Cowboys in the news every day they wait.

 

[CWR]

They are master negotiators, using a complex strategy you couldn't possibly understand.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

They are master negotiators, using a complex strategy you couldn't possibly understand.

LOL

 

[charron]

Could someone please help me understand why we do this, why we think this is some kind of special tactic to use? I'm sure "other teams do this too" but we're focusing on the cowboys. What is the reasoning, has the player not shown enough, is it the agent, is it both, or the Cowboys just aren't sure the player fits in their plans?

It's kind of hard to believe as the Cowboys have great things to say about every player. If you ask them, you always hear positive feedback on how they WANT said player to return and play for them, yet they stall and take their time. I realize it's good to see what the market is set at, but find out what the market is, and get the player signed. Often times we run the price up by waiting too long, doing the opposite of what we want to do. We all know they're cheap, yet they wait and wait things out, only to see the price increase! Please give your thoughts on this

Because the Jones idiots are not football guys. Jerry doesn't know or have any idea of who he should or shouldn't pay as it relates to football. He goes off entertainment value and because of this he relies on a team of people to tell him if he should or shouldn't extend someone. He is way more involved in making his other business deals but when it comes to the Cowboys he relies on others to tell him what he should do. That's part of it and the other part he's still stuck 40 years in the past when it comes to negotiating. He thinks the players will be homeless if they don't sign a contract so he drags things out until right before the season starts to begin actively negotiating. He thinks the season opener is the deadline for the players but the players rightlfully use this against the old hag.

 

[Mobinvans]

Because they are terrible GMs and people who work for them are scared to tell them

 

[kskboys]

Because we are stupid. And that's not joking.

We do not even begin to understand the machinations of an NFL football team. We suck at evaluating talent, we refuse to watch tape, and way too many of our decisions are based on flash. Just think about how many years it took them to understand the importance of the OL, and they're just now beginning to understand the importance of the DL. I mean, this is something a 12 year old could've told them from the start, but instead they take 30 years to learn. However, since they are completely inept at evaluating talent, the best we can hope for is that they hire someone they will listen to. Even the worst talent evaluators in the NFL are better than this duo. Calling them dumb and dumber would be a compliment.

So, to answer the question. We don't understand football at the NFL level, and all too often base our signings on the timing of when Jerry thinks we need attention. Prolly around draft weekend. We basically don't have enough cap space to sign our draftees w/o Pickens either signing or being traded.

 

[kskboys]

Because they are terrible GMs and people who work for them are scared to tell them

And that's if they'd even listen anyway.

 

[kskboys]

Big and little think it makes them look smart. Like they got the best deal. And by getting it done last minute like they are these shrew negotiators. Plus it keeps the Cowboys in the news every day they wait.

I think your last sentence hits the nail on the head.

 

[Jarntt]

There are yachts to buy and offspring to keep happy. They can't be bothered with handing out signing bonuses until they are forced to. Plus, no one is going to tell the Jones Boyz what they should do

 

[Bobhaze]

Could someone please help me understand why we do this, why we think this is some kind of special tactic to use? I'm sure "other teams do this too" but we're focusing on the cowboys. What is the reasoning, has the player not shown enough, is it the agent, is it both, or the Cowboys just aren't sure the player fits in their plans?

It's kind of hard to believe as the Cowboys have great things to say about every player. If you ask them, you always hear positive feedback on how they WANT said player to return and play for them, yet they stall and take their time. I realize it's good to see what the market is set at, but find out what the market is, and get the player signed. Often times we run the price up by waiting too long, doing the opposite of what we want to do. We all know they're cheap, yet they wait and wait things out, only to see the price increase! Please give your thoughts on this

They have a fundamental misunderstanding the content and timing of players negotiations and paying market value.

Easy truths that the Jones boys don’t seem to understand:

• In roster building, waiting is losing not winning.
• Modern player contracts are nothing like property or oil well negotiations.
• “Winning” a contract negotiation means you got the player you need for your roster. Not making some “deal” to save a buck.
• Making public statements during contract negotiations (often not true) to pressure the player is outdated and sometimes sours the relationship with the player.
• What occasionally worked in the 90s doesn’t work now at all.
• Refusing to acknowledge or sometimes even speak to players’ agents is just stupid. Like it or not, agents are a reality to deal with not ignore and insult.

This is just a short list.

 

[DallasEast]

The process is called contract negotiation. It occurs between

and potential employee.

 

[kskboys]

They have a fundamental misunderstanding the content and timing of players negotiations and paying market value.

Easy truths that the Jones boys don’t seem to understand:

• In roster building, waiting is losing not winning.
• Modern player contracts are nothing like property or oil well negotiations.
• “Winning” a contract negotiation means you got the player you need for your roster. Not making some “deal” to save a buck.
• Making public statements during contract negotiations (often not true) to pressure the player is outdated and sometimes sours the relationship with the player.
• What occasionally worked in the 90s doesn’t work now at all.
• Refusing to acknowledge or sometimes even speak to players’ agents is just stupid. Like it or not, agents are a reality to deal with not ignore and insult.

This is just a short list.

And that's not even considering understanding who to pay and who not to pay. Many of us wanted to keep Lewis and didn't think Diggs was worth it.

 

[DuncanIso]

Could someone please help me understand why we do this, why we think this is some kind of special tactic to use? I'm sure "other teams do this too" but we're focusing on the cowboys. What is the reasoning, has the player not shown enough, is it the agent, is it both, or the Cowboys just aren't sure the player fits in their plans?

It's kind of hard to believe as the Cowboys have great things to say about every player. If you ask them, you always hear positive feedback on how they WANT said player to return and play for them, yet they stall and take their time. I realize it's good to see what the market is set at, but find out what the market is, and get the player signed. Often times we run the price up by waiting too long, doing the opposite of what we want to do. We all know they're cheap, yet they wait and wait things out, only to see the price increase! Please give your thoughts on this

Agents wont accept lower contract offers.

 

[kskboys]

Agents wont accept lower contract offers.

They do, however, get a laugh out of many of Jerry's offers.

 

[Bobhaze]

Agents wont accept lower contract offers.

Why should they? It’s literally the agent’s job the get the player the best deal possible.

Players have a very short time to make money playing football. They would be foolish to take less money than the market dictates. The only time a player takes less money is at the tail end of their career.

NFL owners are making money without breaking a sweat. I guarantee the owners don’t take less money for their negotiated TV deals. The idea that players are “greedy” compared to the owners is IMO silly.

 

[Creeper]

I can't explain it but I am sure Jerry could with his usual gaslighting gobbledygook.

To me it makes no sense. The sooner you sign a player the less he will cost. That is an established fact. Look at Parsons. Had they signed him in 2024 he would have cost them under $35 million. Had they signed him in early 2025 he would have cost them maybe $36 million. Waiting until the season began drove his price up to the point they didn't want to pay him that much.

It's just dumb. How do you explain dumb?

 

[Kwyn]

They have a fundamental misunderstanding the content and timing of players negotiations and paying market value.

Easy truths that the Jones boys don’t seem to understand:

• In roster building, waiting is losing not winning.
• Modern player contracts are nothing like property or oil well negotiations.
• “Winning” a contract negotiation means you got the player you need for your roster. Not making some “deal” to save a buck.
• Making public statements during contract negotiations (often not true) to pressure the player is outdated and sometimes sours the relationship with the player.
• What occasionally worked in the 90s doesn’t work now at all.
• Refusing to acknowledge or sometimes even speak to players’ agents is just stupid. Like it or not, agents are a reality to deal with not ignore and insult.

This is just a short list.

I always enjoy and appreciate Bob’s take.

Always practical and even keeled.

I tend to have a more emotional reaction to Jerry and his antics.

My answer would be that it’s because he’s incompetent at his job.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Occam’s Razor = the FO is just dumb

 

[Redsfan_83]

1. Stay in the news
2. Want to piss off the player so they have an excuse when they/future potential players turn down playing here, and Dumb and Dumber Jr can say they "considered" them but in the end..........