Dallas Cowboys taking the right approach to free agency

With many big-name players hitting the market this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have been able to keep their high expectations for the 2020 season intact.

The Dallas Cowboys came into free agency with a lot of questions regarding what would happen with their team. They came into the offseason with many free agents, and many expensive contracts to give out. While they have lost many key players from last season, the front office has handled this offseason well up to this point.

With quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones, pass rusher Robert Quinn, and wide receiver Randall Cobb all needing new deals, it was evident that the Cowboys were going to lose some key players this offseason. After franchise-tagging Prescott and extending Cooper to a five-year $100 million contract, the Cowboys lost Byron Jones (Dolphins), Quinn (Bears), and Cobb (Texans), all to opposing teams in free agency.

The Cowboys have also lost defensive tackle Maliek Collins, safety Jeff Heath, and long-time Cowboys tight end Jason Witten to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. This adds up to the Cowboys losing six starters from the 2019 season in free agency.

With that amount of production from 2019 suddenly off the team, it would be easy for the Cowboys front office to hit the panic button, scrambling to replace the lost pieces, and handing out poor contracts to players they would later regret. Despite this, the front office has been patient in their efforts to retool the lost pieces.

The Cowboys filled in the need of a defensive tackle this past week, signing free-agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to a three-year contract paying him just north of $6 million per year. The team’s front office must be ecstatic bringing in a six-time pro bowler who had 5.0 sacks at the defensive tackle position last year at that price.

The Cowboys were also able to bring in safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a one-year $4 million contract late Thursday night. With only $2.5 million guaranteed, the team was able to bring in a player who had 78 total tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in 2019. Clinton-Dix has also shown his durability, being active for 96 straight games since being drafted in the 2014 draft.

While some fans may be upset at the lack of moves the Cowboys have made so far in free agency, it is important to note that the few moves they have made have been key. Not only were they able to re-sign their franchise wide receiver without using the franchise tag, but they have also been able to bring in key players who can make an impact at a bargain price. With the right approach in this free agency, the Cowboys have been able to keep their team as a contender in 2020.