Dallas Cowboys are one step closer to proving they'll do things differently this year but the toughest test is yet to come
Last year, Jerry Jones claimed the Dallas Cowboys were "all in," a statement that was inevitably rendered underwhelming as the owner had a very different definition for the phrase than fans hoped. Jerry's "all in" was about extending Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and letting head coach Mike McCarthy lead the team on a one-year deal. The […]
Last year, Jerry Jones claimed the Dallas Cowboys were "all in," a statement that was inevitably rendered underwhelming as the owner had a very different definition for the phrase than fans hoped.
Jerry's "all in" was about extending Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and letting head coach Mike McCarthy lead the team on a one-year deal. The Cowboys' free agency outside signings in March were limited to LB Eric Kendricks and RB Royce Freeman.
In 2025, there's reason to believe we should witness a different approach. A more aggressive one. First of all, let's not fool ourselves here: The bar is not high in the first place.
But more than that, the Cowboys have a long list of needs on both sides of the ball and depth is an issue going into next season. In other words, they'll need to make moves whether they like it or not. On top of it all, the salary cap is taking a larger jump than expected this year, which could motivate them to go the extra mile.
Now don't get me wrong, fans should be skeptical. The Cowboys have proven they don't like spending in free agency and both Jerry and Stephen Jones have suggested it'll be a similar offseason to last year's.
However, a recent report shows the Cowboys are one step closer to proving things will be different. That's because according to The Dallas Morning News, the franchise has kicked off negotiations with DT Osa Odighizuwa.
"We have had negotiations with Osa,‘’ Jones said via David Moore. “I just think Osa is a really good football player."
There should be urgency to the negotiations, as Odighizuwa is a pending free agent and a franchise tag candidate. The deadline to designate him a franchise or transition player is March 4th.
Though the Cowboys could resort to such a tool, it's clear an extension is the preferred option. That's because a tag translates to a one-year deal with nothing but guaranteed money, which means the cap hit is set in stone. In contrast, an extension provides a much lower cap hit thanks to a long-term contract's flexibility to spread the hit over the years.
It requires a larger commitment, however. If the Cowboys manage to pull off an early extension for Odighizuwa, it could set the tone for a stronger offseason in 2025. However, that wouldn't be enough.
Signing Odighizuwa would be a great start but toughest test awaits
The Cowboys offseason won't be a slam dunk just by extending Osa. Improving the team will, however. That will start with adding talent that can start and contribute in 2025. To do so, they'll have to spend and a good start would be extending Micah Parsons before free agency kicks off, as an extension for him would free up close to $20 million in cap space.
Couple that with some automatic contract conversions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and the front office would have as much cap space as it needs to make significant moves.
Ultimately, that will be the Cowboys' toughest test: Changing its ways. The Joneses have dragged out contract negotiations until the last minute recently. That happened with Prescott and Lamb. If they get done Parsons' deal done early, it would be a big shift.
And spending on legit outside free agents? An ever bigger one. If fans are going to buy in, that will be when.
