The NFL's legal tampering window did not start how Dallas Cowboys fans would have hoped. Just minutes after the noon Eastern opening, the team lost standout defensive back Jourdan Lewis, who signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Lewis was the heartbeat of Dallas' secondary and replacing him isn't going to be an easy feat. If Dallas cannot hit a home run with a free-agent signing or land a replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft then the secondary may experience more struggles in 2025.
Cowboys fans aren't the only ones devastated by the news of Lewis' departure. Superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons was quick to react to the news and made it clear how much Lewis deserved his new deal, and how much he will be missed.
Dog! Earned for sure! Congrats family def gonna missed! https://t.co/fmBATKMsgb
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 10, 2025
Micah Parsons reacts to Cowboys losing Jourdan Lewis to Jaguars
Parsons, who is fairly active on social media, shares the same sentiment as the entire fanbase. Cowboys fans are both happy that a great player got the contract he deserved, but are sad that the contract came from another team.
Lewis becomes the highest-paid nickel corner in the league with his three-year, $30 million contract. The fact of the matter is that regardless of how important he was to the Cowboys, Jerry Jones and the front office were not going to give him that kind of contract.
Was it deserved? Absolutely. But the Cowboys are not known for spending big in free agency despite being the most marketable team in the country. Add in the fact that Dallas has to commit to a large Parsons extension this offseason and it is not surprising whatsoever that Dallas balked at this price.
In a runaround way, Parsons' contract is part of the reason why Lewis left the Cowboys. But that isn't Parsons' fault, it's the front office's fault.
Hopefully, Parsons won't have to react to any other key departures for the Cowboys this offseason. If anything, Parsons should be reacting to the talented players the Cowboys bring in to elevate the team to become a true Super Bowl contender next season.
Knowing the Joneses, the chances of that happening are slim to none. If the Cowboys were willing to let a key member of the defense walk for $10 million a year, it is hard to imagine the team committing the resources to big-name external players.
All Cowboys fans can do now is wait and see what the team conjures up. One thing is for certain: it won't be able to replace Lewis in free agency.