The one move Cowboys should make in free agency to convince us they're going all-in ahead of 2024 NFL season
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has claimed the front office is going all-in in 2024 and promised that they're "not building it for the future." Having been around for a while, Cowboys fans know they should take such a promise with a grain of salt. This franchise and its fanbase are now on a "gotta-see-it-to-believe-it" […]
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has claimed the front office is going all-in in 2024 and promised that they're "not building it for the future."
Having been around for a while, Cowboys fans know they should take such a promise with a grain of salt. This franchise and its fanbase are now on a "gotta-see-it-to-believe-it" basis these days. It's on them as the team that was once labeled with the same "dynasty" tag the Kansas City Chiefs boast these days is now approaching 30 decades of no appearances in the NFC Championship Game, let alone the Super Bowl.
With the NFL season officially over, our undivided attention now moves on to the offseason and free agency, which will be the biggest opportunity for the Joneses to prove that this time we're in the wrong and that they're being honest regarding their pushing of the chips to the center of the table.
If the Cowboys are serious about going all-in, this is their chance to address their biggest needs. Linebacker and interior defensive line has to be at the top of that list, by the way.
And with the NFL Draft providing very few viable options, it's a need that must be addressed in March. If they wait around until April to do something about it, the battle will already be lost. So with that in mind, here's the one move that would automatically convince me they're serious about their promise.
Cowboys should go get LB Patrick Queen in free agency
Queen is the top free agent at the position and is likely testing the market since the Ravens inked Roquan Smith to a $100 million contract last offseason.
Queen graded as the 25th best linebacker per PFF and 18th in coverage as he helped the Ravens become one of the best defenses in the league.
With the Ravens, Queen did it all for Mike Macdonald's versatile defense, logging 123 snaps rushing the passer. He could be a great fit for a defensive coordinator like Mike Zimmer, who loves to use his linebackers to blitz through the A-gaps and simulate pressures every game.
How much would Queen cost?
In case you missed it, A to Z Sports published 105 contract projections for the top free agents this offseason, including Queen, who took the highest spot for a LB on the list. Below is Smith's contract projection breakdown, which you can read in full here.
The Ravens are in a tricky situation, having already awarded Roquan Smith a hefty $100 million, five-year contract, last year. They could have exercised the fifth-year option on the former first rounder last offseason, retaining Queen’s rights through the 2024 season, but hadn’t seen enough consistency to justify the price tag. The Ravens undoubtedly are regretting that decision now, as Queen’s play has likely elevated him to the highest-valued free agent linebacker this offseason.
He will not reset the market the way his teammate did last offseason, and he likely won’t match the contracts of the top-paid linebackers when adjusting their contracts to today’s dollars, but he’ll benefit from being the belle of the linebacker ball, such as prior top-paid free agents of years past like Tremaine Edmunds and Foyesade Oluokun.Franchise Tag Likelihood: High
4 Year, $73M, $18.25M APY, $38M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $7M
It would be an expensive addition for the Cowboys and there are other options like Frankie Luvu, Jordyn Brooks, among others. But if the goal is "all-in," I believe Queen to be the one move that'd make me think Jones' words are for real.
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He didn’t hold back.
