FEATURED What grade would you give the front office for off-season so far?

[Bobhaze]

Just checking in with Cowboys fans on grading our front office so far in this 2026 off-season.

Obviously it’s not over. We still have the draft and maybe more trades. What letter grade would you give based on what the FO has done so far? If you can, say what you’ve liked and not liked.

I settled on a C (minus). They have done some good things. Just not nearly enough.

What I like:

• The hiring of DC Christian Parker (we hope) looks like a huge help.
• I liked the Rashon Gary trade for the most part, although I don’t think he solves our pass rush deficit alone.
• I like the Jalen Thompson FA signing. He should be an instant upgrade for the back end of the secondary. He is a rare 3 yr FA signing.
• The Cobie Durant signing should be a help although it was interesting he just got a typical one yr prove it deal.

What is still sorely lacking:

• We desperately need major help at LB. I expect we will get one or two in the draft. But are rookies that we plug and play going to be enough to make us playoff worthy?
• I still think we need to sign a vet LB who can serve as a stop gap until some of the younger guys can step up.
• We still lack enough talent in the pass rush.
• I think we need help at LT and TE too. Not everything can get fixed in the draft.

I hope I’m dead wrong but so far this 2026 off-season looks eerily similar to what we’ve seen year after year from our FO - not taking enough chances to get better.

Maybe the FO makes a miracle finish to this off-season? I seriously doubt it.

 

[CTcowboy203]

C….good but not enough. Half measures.

 

[Carson]

C.

They have made a few solid moves that moves the needle. Gary is a solid vet at OLB. Thompson is a great safety that can also play nickel. Locke brings experience and was on great defenses. Durant is a sneaky good signing as he has played a ton of good football on a winning team. Defense looks much improved on paper from last season.

But they still have massive question marks at ILB. I think this will hold them back. Also, after Gary (inconsistent) and Eze (inexperienced) there isn’t much left to rush the passer.

Also Steele is inconsistent and Guyton is prone for injuries. Going to see a lot of Thomas and Cornelius this season

Improved team? Yes. Playoff team? Probably. Anything further? Doubtful

 

[Tangle_Foot]

This is like grading the teams halftime performance. Second half adjustments need to be made to secure the victory. The second half is about to start, let's see what adjustments have been made.

Grade C

 

[Tabascocat]

A solid C so far but the draft will either raise or lower it a grade.

 

[Robbieac]

F.

Jerry is still the GM, so anything he does will never be good enough to translate into winning. He thoroughly and completely sucks at his job.

 

[big dog cowboy]

C.

But, it's still 5 months before the season opener.

 

[Floatyworm]

F........This team has failed on so many levels. It continues to put blind faith that a left tackle will magically appear.

Gary isn't nearly enough to fix the pass rush. Making that trade was dumb.....Knowing the Packers were gonna cut him. Instead...we over pay to get a guy that most likely doesn't want to be here.

Resigning Sam Williams....is beyond stupid.

Scrapped the bottom of the barrel for CBs

Jalen Thompson is decent....but let's be honest....we needed 6 more moves like that just to field a playoff contender.

We have come up way way way short.....Now free agency is over.......Don't have enough draft capital to make up the free agency short comings. All this talk about our new defensive coordinator saving the day. I just don't see it happening....when you give the guy a boatload of garbage to work with.

 

[ShortRound]

C. Jerry is still the GM and decision maker.

 

[cald0d30s0]

D.

Change to a 3-4 and no LBs.

 

[dupree89]

i say between a C and D.
Because I am such a good guy, I rounded up to a C.

 

[ratkinson]

Z

 

[Blackrain]

I'm giving them a C so far but it's a long way from over.

We need to shoot the works pull the stops out and get Sonny Styles.

Trade with the browns and get an athlete with the same talent as Micah Parsons just one that's 21 years old not injured and wants to play football rather than be a podcaster. And is on a rookie contract not breaking the bank.

Then pick up the best pass rusher the draft has to offer and I will call it a B+ offseason.

I know we weren't as aggressive and free agency as some would have liked but I wasn't impressed with what was out there in free agency especially for the price tag.

The end flat out did not justify the means for older players with suspect health.

It's a young man's game and father time is undefeated.

 

[ghst187]

Changing out the DC will be the biggest move no matter who we add in the draft or FA. So that boosts the grade IMO…I’m still mad they didn’t fire flus several games in. It was obviously an embarrassment.

 

[morasp]

They are already better than last year and still have the draft and post draft moves left. To see how much better we'll have to wait and see.

 

[ArtClink]

D - Same old, tired methods of "improving" the team. Pinch pennies in FA and put all your eggs in the draft basket, hoping to hit big on all selections. This approach doesn't work and you'd think after that Green Bay playoff butt whipping at AT&T a few years ago that Jerry and Fatso would make drastic changes.

 

[dupree89]

Z

 

[jrumann59]

I went with B, FA was not impressive but they were in the mix, you cannot account for guys turning down more money to play with a college team mate. Or someone over paying for a player you did not think was worth it. Something i was taught in my career is never bid against yourself if you do you will either be in hole from jump or not win the work. Unfortunately you cannot build back quickly with all trades.

 

[ShiningStar]

B they changed out the DC, brought in a young guy, not a Jerry boy. The draft will tell us what they do this season. They made some changes, granted. The draft is a weakness for Jerry, as is the media. I wish he would have handled that differently. Jerry is what Jerry is a lot of fans wont accept that. First round of the draft is the whole season, lets see how it goes.

 

[Bobhaze]

I went with B, FA was not impressive but they were in the mix, you cannot account for guys turning down more money to play with a college team mate. Or someone over paying for a player you did not think was worth it. Something i was taught in my career is never bid against yourself if you do you will either be in hole from jump or not win the work. Unfortunately you cannot build back quickly with all trades.

I disagree that the FO being “in the mix” for acquiring a player in FA is worthy of any credit.

The FO has told us year after year after year that “this year is going to be different”. The only way to judge that is by what they do, not what they say they “tried” to do.

In pro sports - especially in the front office - you receive credit for results not intentions.