3 offseason moves by Cowboys’ NFC East rivals that made us laugh
The Dallas Cowboys have had a pretty bleak offseason. They did secure DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Gallup, but in order to do so, they said goodbye to key pieces like Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory, and La’el Collins. The Cowboys were also the very last team to make an external free agent signing when they made one-year, prove-it deals with James Washington and Dante Fowler Jr. Not exactly Blockbuster signings.
The good news is, Dallas still has a chance to dominate the NFC East in 2022 because the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants haven’t done all that much to help themselves either. In fact, all three of the Cowboys’ NFC East foes have made some pretty questionable free agency decisions.
Instead of sulking at the lack of Cowboys offseason moves, we wanted to take a minute to laugh at some of the decisions made by the teams in the division. We have selected a poor decision made by each team in the NFC East.
3 offseason moves by the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants that made Dallas Cowboys fans laugh
3. Washington Commanders Trading for Carson Wentz
Oof. This one was comical. Several analysts, reporters, and fans were confused by the choice to trade for quarterback Carson Wentz and gave the trade a bad grade. Washington was in virtually every conversation for a new quarterback. Ron Rivera was not shy about the team actively hunting for a new leader. After Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks hilariously rejected Washington’s offer for multiple first-round picks in exchange for the QB, the Commanders’ desperation was incredibly evident.
Although Wentz is understandably an upgrade from Taylor Heinicke, you would think Washington would have learned from what happened in Indianapolis. After the Colts were essentially willing to cut Wentz because their one-year experience with him was so bad, Indy ended up winning the battle by getting two third-round picks and a second-round pick in exchange for getting rid of their problem QB. Plus, one of those third-round picks becomes a second-round pick if Wentz plays 70% of snaps in 2022.
It would be one thing if Washington picked up Wentz after being cut and paid him a one-year, prove-it deal. Instead, they are immensely overpaying for a guy with a career record of 44-40-1. Wentz has also failed to have a great season since 2017. Washington is paying that man a jaw-dropping $28 million price tag for 2022. This price tag caused the Commanders to let go of veterans like Ereck Flowers, Matt Ioannidis, and Landon Collins. This insane paycheck makes Wentz the eighth-highest paid QB in the NFL, and he is far from a top 8 quarterback.
It's crazy how well this played out for the Colts, who were willing to release Carson Wentz a few weeks ago if they couldn't find a trade partner.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 23, 2022
Instead, they did, then upgraded to Matt Ryan, added a 3rd-round pick (which can become a 2nd) and saved $5 million in the process. https://t.co/gXiMhoDJhT
We understand that Washington needed a QB, but this move wreaks of desperation. Then, you factor in Indy being able to get Matt Ryan from the Falcons. The Colts gave up less draft capital for Ryan. Ryan may be older, but he’s had far more postseason experience and success. Indianapolis is also paying Ryan $4 million less than what Wentz will get. Good luck with Commander Carson, Washington. Trevon Diggs can’t wait to play him.