Looks can be very deceiving. In most cases, these big name free agents are signing on to a team that is already built. This is why they signed in the first place.
Their careers are at the point where they are not interested in helping a team build. They want a championship now and the best way is to sign on to a team that appears to be heading in that direction.
What these free agents are offering a team is extra insurance and a little extra distance from their competition in terms of overall talent. They get a discount because they are a top contender, this is how teams are able to afford them.
Many veterans don't believe in the Cowboys ability to compete for a championship which is why it is difficult to sign them for a reasonable price. We may have noticed some players that had the Cowboys on their list but ultimately chose a different team.
