Recent message from Dallas Cowboys exec Stephen Jones should have fans legitimately worried
Dallas Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones talked to the media on Wednesday about a variety of topics, with one specific message sticking out from the conversation, and it's one that should legitimately worry fans of the franchise. After spending the least amount of money in free agency in 2024, the Cowboys aren't looking to change their […]
Dallas Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones talked to the media on Wednesday about a variety of topics, with one specific message sticking out from the conversation, and it's one that should legitimately worry fans of the franchise.
After spending the least amount of money in free agency in 2024, the Cowboys aren't looking to change their approach next offseason despite poor results this year.
“I think we knew we were gonna have a challenge in (2024) and 2025), it’s gonna be really, really tight," Jones told reporters via Jon Machota from The Athletic. "We still have some money left over from guys who are not here today, and you’re gonna have some other guys that won’t be here in the future that you’re still gonna have their cap count.”
Currently, the Cowboys have the seventh most cap space in the NFL according to Over the Cap, which will carry over to next year, when they're projected to have the 23rd most cap space in the league. The latter number is a result of Dak Prescott's $90 million cap hit in 2025, which can be drastically lowered in one swift move. Over the Cap projects they can open up $37 million with a simple restructure, which would raise Dallas to 14th in cap space.
Although it's true the Cowboys had to spend big-time money on Prescott's and CeeDee Lamb's contract extensions, there's no hiding from the fact that they could've done much more to build a better team in 2024. Essentially, they're free agency signings were limited to LB Eric Kendricks and RB Ezekiel Elliott back in March, excluding re-signings.
Keep in mind, Dallas lost several starters on offense and defense, including starting offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz. Every loss has been felt in 2024, when the Cowboys have simply fielded a team that's not good enough. Injuries have made it worse, no question about it, but the main problem has been the roster that was built, one that heavily leaned in playing rookies, including three rookie starters in Week 1.
Going into 2025, the Cowboys will have a long, long, list of needs. They need to replace Brandin Cooks at WR and Jalen Tolbert hasn't proven he's a legit No. 2. They need to upgrade the offensive line, which might mean moving on from right tackle Terence Steele. They need linebackers, particularly after losing DeMarvion Overshown to a brutal injury.
You could add defensive back depth, defensive tackles, defensive ends, running back, tight end depth, to the list and I could keep going.
If the Cowboys approach things with a mindset that makes them believe they'll take care of everything through the NFL Draft, things are going to backfire on them just like they did in 2024. And while it's true they've paid some big-name players, they should be able to spend much more than they did this year. The numbers don't lie: The cap space is there.
Unfortunately, it sounds like the Cowboys are already setting the table for a passive approach spending wise. I struggle to see how that means a better roster next year.
