5 worst Cowboys free agent signings under GM Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones has made some awful decisions as the Cowboys GM, and these were some of the worst
By Randy Gurzi
After another frustrating end to the season, Dallas Cowboys fans are clamoring for Jerry Jones to make a splash in free agency. Those same fans are also growing angry at the "we like our guys" approach from his son Stephen Jones — and the younger Jones has been winning the battle in recent years.
Dallas has become one of the more reserved teams in the NFL during free agency. This strategy has led to a few hits, such as Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker. But it's also led to some whiffs such as James Washington and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Despite a questionable success rate, these misses don't kill the bottom line since they're not breaking the bank. That wasn't always the case, which we see with this frustrating trip down memory lane. Here's a look back at the five worst signings the Cowboys made while Jerry Jones was the general manager.
5. Nolan Carroll, CB (2017)
Three years, $10 million — $4 million guaranteed
Brandon Carr was signed to a massive contract with the Cowboys in 2013 and while he never lived up to expectations, he was still at least a serviceable player. In six seasons, he never missed a game and had 316 tackles with seven interceptions and 44 pass defenses.
In 2017, he hit free agency again and left for the Baltimore Ravens. Dallas decided to try and replace him with rookies Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis — as well as veteran addition Nolan Carroll.
The former starter for the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles signed a three-year deal worth $10 million and was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated just 19 days later. He was kept around but struggled mightily in the preseason.
In an effort to keep the owner/GM happy, Carroll was still the starter in Week 1 but lasted just six quarters before a concussion sidelined him. He was released before ever seeing the field again. That means Carroll made roughly $4 million for six quarters — or $666,667 for every 15 minutes of game time.