Comparing 2025 FA moves and trades to 2026 moves so far

[CWR]

Durant agreed to a $5.5 million contract.

I'd say the key change is that they made one real FA move, signing Thompson to 3 years, $36 million. That's actually an investment in an outside FA, which means that they believe in the player and gave him enough value that he signed for multiple years.

The rest are more typical of what we expect: one-year deals or low-cost trades. That means that these players come in with something to prove. Last year, almost all of our prove-it players failed to prove anything other than there was a reason they were so cheap.

I will say that the base line on the prove-it deals is more like what Ogbonnia got, so that would seem to indicate that we think more of Durant and Locke than we did most of our signings last year. It appears to me that we at least wanted a little better quality in the secondary choices as far as proving it goes.

As much as I'll crap on last year, both Javonte and Pickens were massive additions.

Also Quinton Williams was massive, but obviously later in the season.

I personally don't care for the prove it deals. A couple an off season is plenty, but using it as your main means of acquiring talent is terrible. Not just for obvious reasons, but because I think it creates a lot of SELFISH play. You dont want a team full of guys playing hero ball, more concerned about their next contract than any team goals. Thats how assignments get blown and its a problem weve had on run defense going back to Dan Quin.

 

[deerhunter11]

It’s late March in what is supposed to be a “bust the budget” and “different” off-season for our FO. Which made me wonder about how this 2026 off-season of Free agency and trades compares (so far) to last year’s off-season.

2025 Off-season New Free Agency Acquisitions:

Position	Player	Age	2024 team	Contract
RB	Miles Sanders	28	Carolina Panthers	1 year, $1.3 million
RB	Javonte Williams	25	Denver Broncos	1 year, $3 million
G	Robert Jones	26	Miami Dolphins	1 year, $3.75 million
T	Hakeem Adeniji	27	Cleveland Browns	1 year, $1.2 million
DE	Dante Fowler	31	Washington Commanders	1 year, $8 million
DE	Payton Turner	26	New Orleans Saints	1 year, $3 million
DT	Solomon Thomas	30	New York Jets	2 years, $6 million
LB	Jack Sanborn	25	Chicago Bears	1 year, $1.5 million

2025 Trades

Position	Player/Aquired	Age	2024 team	Traded away
QB	Joe Milton	25	New England Patriots	2025 fifth-round selection
WR	George Pickens	24	Pittsburgh Steelers	2026 third-round selection and 2027 fifth-round selection
DT	Kenny Clark and two 1st rounders	29	Green Bay Packers	DE Micah Parsons
DT	Quinnen Williams	27	New York Jets	DT Mazi Smith, 2026 second-round selection, and 2027 first-round selectionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Dallas_Cowboys_season#cite_note-QuinnenTrade-7

Also Kenneth Murray for a 6th round pick.
And Logan Wilson for 7th.

Here are (so far) our new FA acquisitions in 2026:

Position	Player	Age	2025 team	Contract
QB	Sam Howell	25	Philadelphia Eagles	1 year, $2.5 million
C	Matt Hennessy	29	San Francisco 49ers	1 year, $1.4 million
DE	Tyrus Wheat	26	Detroit Lions	1 year, $1.755 million
DT	Otito Ogbonnia	25	Los Angeles Chargers	1 year, $3 million
CB	Cobie Durant	28	Los Angeles Rams	1 year, $1.5 million
S	P.J. Locke	29	Denver Broncos	1 year, $5 million
S	Jalen Thompson	27	Arizona Cardinals	3 years, $36 million

Trades so far:

Position	Player	Age	2025 team	Traded away
DT	Rashan Gary	29	Green Bay Packers	2027 fourth-round selection

What looks amazingly similar this year compared to 2025 is once again only signing one free agent to a multi-year contract. And there will certainly be a few more FA signings before the 2026 off-season ends. But the only ones left are of the “dumpster dive” variety. And I expect a trade or two perhaps as well.

But how is this off-season (so far) so much different than last year?

Good post and good work laying this out, I appreciate it, Bob. If Dallas could have worked out a deal at the beginning of the free agency period and reduced the 27 plus million-dollar tag hit on the salary cap for this season, more could have been done. I like what Dallas has done however, and I will grade these free agent signings a solid B. Rashan Gary was a nice addition to the front 7, Dallas has rebuilt this secondary with proven veterans. Thompson especially is really nice to have at safety. I also really like the nose tackle Ogbonnia this guy is strong and hard to move, when you watch his game film, you see him stand offensive lineman up at the line of scrimmage, while looking into the back field at the running back and he makes the tackle a lot of the time. Hennessey looks like a good backup center/ guard he was a third-round pick and Dallas has really improved at backup quarterback with the Sam Howell signing as well.

 

[eromeopolk]

It’s late March in what is supposed to be a “bust the budget” and “different” off-season for our FO. Which made me wonder about how this 2026 off-season of Free agency and trades compares (so far) to last year’s off-season.

2025 Off-season New Free Agency Acquisitions:

Position	Player	Age	2024 team	Contract
RB	Miles Sanders	28	Carolina Panthers	1 year, $1.3 million
RB	Javonte Williams	25	Denver Broncos	1 year, $3 million
G	Robert Jones	26	Miami Dolphins	1 year, $3.75 million
T	Hakeem Adeniji	27	Cleveland Browns	1 year, $1.2 million
DE	Dante Fowler	31	Washington Commanders	1 year, $8 million
DE	Payton Turner	26	New Orleans Saints	1 year, $3 million
DT	Solomon Thomas	30	New York Jets	2 years, $6 million
LB	Jack Sanborn	25	Chicago Bears	1 year, $1.5 million

2025 Trades

Position	Player/Aquired	Age	2024 team	Traded away
QB	Joe Milton	25	New England Patriots	2025 fifth-round selection
WR	George Pickens	24	Pittsburgh Steelers	2026 third-round selection and 2027 fifth-round selection
DT	Kenny Clark and two 1st rounders	29	Green Bay Packers	DE Micah Parsons
DT	Quinnen Williams	27	New York Jets	DT Mazi Smith, 2026 second-round selection, and 2027 first-round selectionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Dallas_Cowboys_season#cite_note-QuinnenTrade-7

Also Kenneth Murray for a 6th round pick.
And Logan Wilson for 7th.

Here are (so far) our new FA acquisitions in 2026:

Position	Player	Age	2025 team	Contract
QB	Sam Howell	25	Philadelphia Eagles	1 year, $2.5 million
C	Matt Hennessy	29	San Francisco 49ers	1 year, $1.4 million
DE	Tyrus Wheat	26	Detroit Lions	1 year, $1.755 million
DT	Otito Ogbonnia	25	Los Angeles Chargers	1 year, $3 million
CB	Cobie Durant	28	Los Angeles Rams	1 year, $1.5 million
S	P.J. Locke	29	Denver Broncos	1 year, $5 million
S	Jalen Thompson	27	Arizona Cardinals	3 years, $36 million

Trades so far:

Position	Player	Age	2025 team	Traded away
DT	Rashan Gary	29	Green Bay Packers	2027 fourth-round selection

What looks amazingly similar this year compared to 2025 is once again only signing one free agent to a multi-year contract. And there will certainly be a few more FA signings before the 2026 off-season ends. But the only ones left are of the “dumpster dive” variety. And I expect a trade or two perhaps as well.

But how is this off-season (so far) so much different than last year?

No it maybe worst if you do not solve the problem at MLB, ROLB, DE, RCB, LCB, ROT, LOT, GM, and defacto HC. You will also have a problem at RB as at the end of the year Williams started breaking down. He has never been a no.1 3 down RB. So at RB to the list.

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

What about the years leading up to last offseason? We've added:

Quinnen Williams
Kenny Clark
Javonte Williams
George Pickens
Jalen Thompson
and Rashan Gary

All but Pickens are on multi-year deals and negotiations are in progress.

I don't mind ragging on the front office when they do a poor job. That's been a common occurrence for most of my life. I think they've done a pretty good job at bringing in veteran talent. I just wish they would do something about linebacker and OT.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I don't mind ragging on the front office when they do a poor job

Agree, but no one can deny this off-season has been different in many ways. No, we can't say some of the things we have seen will get us to the promised land this season but at least they are moves in the right direction. Moves that can have far greater impact than any season we have had in a long time.

 

[Wildcat711]

Agree, but no one can deny this off-season has been different in many ways. No, we can't say some of the things we have seen will get us to the promised land this season but at least they are moves in the right direction. Moves that can have far greater impact than any season we have had in a long time.

But what are these moves?

The only things I see as different is the defensive coaches.. young guys.. very happy with that.

We spent a 4th on a guy who was getting cut.. solid player tho.. happy with that.

Got a FA Safety who has never made a pro-bowl.. but reading about him.. he seems to be a bit under-rated.. time will tell.

Then back to the 1 year deals.

Bob is right.. what is the big difference?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Bob is right.. what is the big difference?

When was the last time Jerry hired an inexperienced defensive coordinator? When was the last time Jerry allowed his head coach to choose his own defensive coordinator? Jerry tried to trade for Maxx Crosby and Nakobe Dean, but was outbid ( Dean preferred the Raiders, although Jerry offered a similar contract). No way in hell he should have offered TWO first-rounders for Crosby.

But you guys are parently focused only on the free agents we have signed so far and NOT efforts to change the culture. In fact, I'm not sure we say any free agents were signed with the intent of replacing a starter. They are all backup/role players types signed every season as part of attrition.

 

[Wildcat711]

When was the last time Jerry hired an inexperienced defensive coordinator? When was the last time Jerry allowed his head coach to choose his own defensive coordinator? Jerry tried to trade for Maxx Crosby and Nakobe Dean, but was outbid ( Dean preferred the Raiders, although Jerry offered a similar contract). No way in hell he should have offered TWO first-rounders for Crosby.

But you guys are parently focused only on the free agents we have signed so far and NOT efforts to change the culture. In fact, I'm not sure we say any free agents were signed with the intent of replacing a starter. They are all backup/role players types signed every season as part of attrition.

Yes.. as I said I love the coaches.

How much do we really know about this other stuff?.. mostly rumours.. I'm not going to go on what Jerry has said.. its usually BS.

Agree Crosby was not worth 2 firsts..

Fair enough.. I'm not 100% the culture is changing but you may be right.

This thread is about off-season FA and Trades.. I would even argue that last season was better signing GP and JW.

Of course that is with the benefit of hindsight.. maybe some of these guys will ball out.. lets hope so.

Plus a long time til the season.. so there is still a chance we snag someone good.

 

[CyberB0b]

Let’s at least wait until game one and the roster is set before we go in full meltdown mode over the linebacker situation.

Do you really trust this front office to do anything to address it?

 

[gimmesix]

As much as I'll crap on last year, both Javonte and Pickens were massive additions.

Also Quinton Williams was massive, but obviously later in the season.

I personally don't care for the prove it deals. A couple an off season is plenty, but using it as your main means of acquiring talent is terrible. Not just for obvious reasons, but because I think it creates a lot of SELFISH play. You dont want a team full of guys playing hero ball, more concerned about their next contract than any team goals. Thats how assignments get blown and its a problem weve had on run defense going back to Dan Quin.

Occasionally with the cheap ones, you'll hit like we did on Javonte, and I do believe they are necessary to fill out the roster. But if that's pretty much all you do in free agency, you are not going to get very far ... unless you depend on trades. That seems to be the direction we've decided to go, or at least went last year, although I don't know how much of that is in response to the Parsons trade.

Obviously, Pickens and Quinnen, and even Clark, were big additions to our team. Maybe Gary will be this year, and I hope we're not done this year and will add one of the two linebackers who are being discussed. If we're going to be cheap in free agency, then we've got to do something besides the draft to add major talent. Trading is my hope.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

you are not going to get very far ... unless you depend on trades. That seems to be the direction we've decided to go, or at least went last year, although I don't know how much of that is in response to the Parsons trade.

Never thought of this but excellent point. It does appear they are focusing more on trades for quality players rather than on free agency.

 

[Jarntt]

You’re not wrong, but the overall problem is the approach, and putting themselves in a situation where the draft has to fall perfectly and BOTH players need to be able to perform at a high level immediately.

That isn’t very likely. Possible, but unlikely. They continue to put themselves in this spot and things continue to not work.

It doesn’t have to fall perfectly. We need many positions still. Pass rushing Edge for the nickel, DE, NT and move Clark to DE, ILBer, OLBer, CB, OT, OG and move Tyler Smith to OT, WR if the plan is to trade Pickens. There are so many players that can help this team.

The discussion was just about one of those scenarios.

 

[FiveSuperBowls]

Trading away Mazi was a head start! I don’t think anyone can argue that. Opposed to keeping him another year.

 

[kskboys]

As much as I'll crap on last year, both Javonte and Pickens were massive additions.

Also Quinton Williams was massive, but obviously later in the season.

I personally don't care for the prove it deals. A couple an off season is plenty, but using it as your main means of acquiring talent is terrible. Not just for obvious reasons, but because I think it creates a lot of SELFISH play. You dont want a team full of guys playing hero ball, more concerned about their next contract than any team goals. Thats how assignments get blown and its a problem weve had on run defense going back to Dan Quin.

Sure, but our O was fine.

 

[Diehardblues]

While we have upgraded on defense the off season appears to still ride mostly on the draft .

I was hoping to sign a bigger FA but any upgrade is welcome. I think most fans felt from our ownerships language we’d make a bigger splash .

As always offseason , FA, the draft and TC is a time for renewed optimism and speculation . Reality doesn’t begin until after Labor Day.

 

[Jarntt]

As much as I'll crap on last year, both Javonte and Pickens were massive additions.

Also Quinton Williams was massive, but obviously later in the season.

I personally don't care for the prove it deals. A couple an off season is plenty, but using it as your main means of acquiring talent is terrible. Not just for obvious reasons, but because I think it creates a lot of SELFISH play. You dont want a team full of guys playing hero ball, more concerned about their next contract than any team goals. Thats how assignments get blown and it’s a problem weve had on run defense going back to Dan Quin.

Great moves, but you need to combine those low $ moves with a big $ free agent from time to time like EVERY other team does. Remember even the trades that work out cost you draft picks. This team is clearly more interested in giving up draft picks than signing bonuses and that is why they never sign expensive free agents. You don’t win in the NFL being cheap

 

[Bobhaze]

While we have upgraded on defense the off season appears to still ride mostly on the draft .

I was hoping to sign a bigger FA but any upgrade is welcome. I think most fans felt from our ownerships language we’d make a bigger splash .

As always offseason , FA, the draft and TC is a time for renewed optimism. Reality doesn’t begin until after Labor Day.

Good points about reality Greggo. We can all have opinions about our off-season but no one will really know until at least November if we are truly a much better team capable of competing in the playoffs.

 

[kskboys]

While we have upgraded on defense the off season appears to still ride mostly on the draft .

I was hoping to sign a bigger FA but any upgrade is welcome. I think most fans felt from our ownerships language we’d make a bigger splash .

As always offseason , FA, the draft and TC is a time for renewed optimism and speculation . Reality doesn’t begin until after Labor Day.

It was never going to happen. We do not have the salary cap space for bigger/more moves

 

[Jarntt]

No it maybe worst if you do not solve the problem at MLB, ROLB, DE, RCB, LCB, ROT, LOT, GM, and defacto HC. You will also have a problem at RB as at the end of the year Williams started breaking down. He has never been a no.1 3 down RB. So at RB to the list.

Sorry but this is just a horrible and not to be offensive, but clueless take. I get making the argument we aren’t much better but no chance we are worse

 

[Diehardblues]

I still think we have to hit big in the draft on defense to make the type of progress we are looking for on defense capable of elevating this team to a playoff contender.

And all of the recent mock drafts I’ve seen show us trading out of at least one of our first round picks if not both . So while we could compile more picks it could limit the level impact players we need for a more immediate upgrade on defense this season.