This Cowboys Free Agent Signing Pegged One of NFL's Worst Offseason Moves

[conner01]

It's too early to know how the RB situation will shake out. Signing Zeke was dumb, but it's possible he won't be much of a factor if the Cowboys make a move before the season begins over 3 months from now.

If we use him properly he could help. But Jerry will push to use him more than he should be used and get too many touches to be effective

 

[Bobhaze]

I think it's reasonable to stay out of the top FA signings, as most times teams bid against a handful of others, including teams with millions of money to blow, and you do pay a good player great money. See Robert Hunt signing in Carolina.
However, it seems like they've been scared off from the low-medium type of free agents that AAV's are under the teens, but the cap hits can be dirt cheap the first few years and the signing bonuses are cheap enough where year 3, 4 they can be cut and have little dead cap.

The team tied rope around their own hands and claimed to be strangled by the cap.

They say they want to keep Dak, re-signing CDL is a priority and how they want to build for the future, but yet they simply put no urgency into getting those things in motion. Now of course off-season talk is full of lies, so maybe they want a prove it year from Dak. But guys like CDL and Parsons should be their new core. It takes two to tango but I doubt the FO is actively reaching out to agents wanting to secure a deal. They've dragged their feet on Dak and Lawrence, and ended up paying more long term for both as the market kept exploding.

I doubt they are looking at any free agents/trades until training camp starts. Unless an agent blinks first and takes that near minimum offer.

And the fact is they could have cleared plenty of space had they chosen to go that route. I don’t have a problem not signing big name free agents at all. That often does not work for the best. But the mid-tier guys they could have signed as immediate impact starters without having a huge cap strap would have made sense if they thought they were close to competing for a championship.

I have no problem with rebuilding. But this FO has never ever said any year was a rebuild nor have they ever shown they were capable of pulling one off without a Jimmy Johnson or Bill Parcells being involved.

Now, because they did not draft a RB, have a very thin RB group now, and are completely reliant on two rookies to rebuild our OL, this roster as currently constructed in my mind cannot be counted on as a serious contender without some major good fortune happening.

Having some good luck help you out is always good. But for strategic roster planning, hope is not a strategy.

 

[JBS]

It's the worst if a team is trying to win a championship, however if a team is prepping for the future by getting lean, it's exactly the right way to do it.

The evidence is overwhelming so far.

You give this front office way too much credit. They have no idea what they’re doing. Let alone some master plan.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

But the problem is the way they are going about this if their intention is "win later" is idiotic. Which I guess shouldn't surprise anyone.

It's a pretty incoherent strategy we've seen the Jones boys roll out year over year.

Can't expect anything different.

 

[Cowboys5217]

This Cowboys free agent signing pegged one of NFL's worst offseason moves​

By Jerry Trotta | The Landry Hat
May 30, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys had an all-too familiar approach to free agency this offseason. While the roster wasn't crying out for Jerry Jones to spend like a drunken sailor, it had a couple glaring weakness that reared their ugly head in the wild card loss and the Cowboys bypassed chance after chance to fix them.

There's something to be said about the signing of linebacker Eric Kendricks, who has years of experience in Mike Zimmer's defense from their time with the Vikings. Additionally, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who re-signed on a one-year deal, fits Zimmer's scheme like a glove... Read more

It was the dumbest singing of all time for Jerry. Easily.

What's even dumber are the excuses, cope, and gaslighting many Cowboys fans are making to try and justify this. There is no justification for such an idiotic move.

 

[Cowboys5217]

It's too early to know how the RB situation will shake out. Signing Zeke was dumb, but it's possible he won't be much of a factor if the Cowboys make a move before the season begins over 3 months from now.

Jerry will force McCarthy to make Elliott the feature back. He'll get the bulk of the carries all season long no matter how bad he stinks the place up.

 

[Ranching]

Haters!

 

[gimmesix]

This Cowboys free agent signing pegged one of NFL's worst offseason moves​

By Jerry Trotta | The Landry Hat
May 30, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys had an all-too familiar approach to free agency this offseason. While the roster wasn't crying out for Jerry Jones to spend like a drunken sailor, it had a couple glaring weakness that reared their ugly head in the wild card loss and the Cowboys bypassed chance after chance to fix them.

There's something to be said about the signing of linebacker Eric Kendricks, who has years of experience in Mike Zimmer's defense from their time with the Vikings. Additionally, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who re-signed on a one-year deal, fits Zimmer's scheme like a glove... Read more

I'm not even sure it's the worst running back move of the offseason. The Packers got rid of their No. 1 back (Aaron Jones), who ran all over us in the playoffs, averaged 4.6 YPC last year and has averaged 5.0 for his career for a player (Josh Jacobs) who also averaged 3.5 YPC last year, like Elliott, and has been at 4.0 or below in three of his five seasons. Jacobs was considered a top back on the FA market, but that was primarily based on his 2022 season. That and his rookie year are the only great years he's had. I know if Dallas had made that signing, Jacobs would be getting a lot more scrutiny for averaging 3.5 last year. The Packers can defend the move by saying they got younger at the position, but not because Jones missed time with injury since Jacobs did too.

And the main difference in the two deals for 3.5 backs is Elliott is costing $2 million plus incentives for a year while Jacobs is costing $48 million over four years.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Gosh forbid he misses a tackle the first game

 

[Rockport]

It's the worst if a team is trying to win a championship, however if a team is prepping for the future by getting lean, it's exactly the right way to do it.

The evidence is overwhelming so far.

So are you saying they’re not going to sign either Lamb, Parsons or Dak?

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I doubt signing/drafting any RB would move the needle very much if at all. So I think their win total and season outcome will be the same with Zeke or a different RB you can pick the name. I also think they are trying to be more physical in the run game. If you look at who was drafted to be on the OL over the last few years, they all play very physical at the point of attack. The theory being that we use the OL and a physical RB to wear down the D and those 3.5 yard carries in the first half become 6-7 yard runs in the 2nd half. None of these backs scare anyone as far as making big plays, but they are all pretty physical runners between the tackles.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Zeke is a good back-up/pass protector. If he could lead block, he’d be a good FB.

We need a starter though. I can’t see Rico becoming that guy.

 

[shabazz]

So are you saying they’re not going to sign either Lamb, Parsons or Dak?

Ax Jerry, don't ax me

 

[Rockport]

Ax Jerry, don't ax me

You said the evidence was overwhelming. What evidence? There’s plenty of time to sign all 3 of them Lamb and Dak this year. I wonder if Jerry enjoys triggering fans because there are hundreds here who are triggered beyond help. But as soon as the Cowboys start winning in the playoffs, you “bandwagon fans” will start hoping back on the ship you jumped off of years ago. But we’ll remember, don’t you worry.

 

[zekecowboy]

Yes, I think the Cowboys will regret how they went about “fixing” the RB spot. This smells a bit like the whole WR by committee approach that failed years ago.

The Dallas Cowboys are in rebuild mode. The Cowboys are building for the future. 2024 is a meh year, its going to be a mediocre year. All of their actions so far support this thinking.

 

[DallasEast]

You sure Zeke isn't?

I am flattered and think my writing is not half-bad but this is a question better suited for Jerry Trotta.

 

[Blast From The Past]

Yeah. We have always had more of a bell cow starting RB. Always works best with a physical RB early to break down opposing defenses. Then mix in speed and change of pace. Elliot can’t take the pounding he did before. Had a chance to get a big banger. Unless they use Luepke. Which I am a fan of.

I'm a fan of Lupke as well. The Cowboys generally have traditionally had a explosive bell cow rb but not this season. Can't wait to see if it works or fails like the wr by committee did.

 

[darthseinfeld]

It's too early to know how the RB situation will shake out. Signing Zeke was dumb, but it's possible he won't be much of a factor if the Cowboys make a move before the season begins over 3 months from now.

I had heard after the draft their was some interest in trading for Dameon Peirce.

 

[Rockport]

The Dallas Cowboys are in rebuild mode. The Cowboys are building for the future. 2024 is a meh year, its going to be a mediocre year. All of their actions so far support this thinking.

What actions? Anyone with a lick of sense would know that they’re not rebuilding with Dak, Cee Dee and Parsons.

 

[DallasEast]

I had heard after the draft their was some interest in trading for Dameon Peirce.

Pierce regressed a little behind Devin Singletary (sp?) this past season but he impressed me during his rookie season before Ryans took over the Texans. I would have gotten behind that trade if it had happened.