This was a difficult free agency for the Dallas Cowboy to navigate. Part of that is the fault of Jerry and Stephen Jones for not getting out in front of contract extensions. Sound familiar?
By dragging out extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, Dallas had to wait to sign Osa Odighizuwa, who re-upped with the franchise right before free agency, as well as Jourdan Lewis, who got a handsome three-year deal from the Jaguars.
The Cowboys also moved on from vets DeMarcus Lawrence and Brandin Cooks, and budding defensive lineman Chauncey Golston. At this stage of the offseason, most of the team's free agents have either re-signed or found new homes.
One of the few who is surprisingly still braving the free agent waters, though, is linebacker Eric Kendricks. Cowboys fans would take Kendricks back in a heartbeat, but it doesn't sound like a reunion is in the works.
Cowboys don't appear likely to re-sign free agent LB Eric Kendricks
Responding to a fan on Twitter, Cowboys staff writer Patrik Walker noted the trade for Kenneth Murray and signing of Jack Sanborn "likely" rules out Kendricks' return.
still a free agent and Sanborn + Murray moves likely mean no return to Dallas, in my opinion. would love to be wrong, though.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) April 14, 2025
Walker said he would love to be wrong, but his track record is as bulletproof as anyone on the Cowboys beat. If Walker speaks, you should listen.
Read more: Star RB is practically begging the Cowboys to draft him
It is possible that Dallas may revisit signing Kendricks after the NFL Draft. If they take a linebacker, odds are the former All-Pro won't be back. If they don't, the reunion door would creep open.
While Murray and Sanborn help anchor the linebacker depth, it's still unknown when DeMarvion Overshown will be cleared to return from his knee injury. Former fifth-round pick Damone Clark is potentially on the roster bubble after hardly playing last season.
In a vacuum, Marist Liufau and Sanborn are the best LBs on the roster. Murray and Clark are major liabilities. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will need to harness some of Murray's reckless tendencies before he can be trusted with a big role.
The Cowboys currently have $32.712 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. That accounts for signing the 2025 draft class. Extending Micah Parsons will add $18.269 million to the pot, so the Joneses have more than enough money to afford Kendricks.
Remember, Kendricks only got $1.5 million guaranteed last year. He accounted for just $2.941 million on the salary cap. He was a stabilizing force in the middle of the defense at 32 years old. He led the way with 138 tackles and served as a great mentor for Overshown and Liufau.
This one doesn't make any sense.