Jerry Jones ‘all-in’ quote from last April has felt more like a punchline than an overall philosophical approach for the last two offseasons for the Dallas Cowboys. One reason why it has been easy to consistently bring up this quote is the sheer lack of acquisitions paired with significant departures from this roster over the last two offseasons.
After another quiet free agency, can one make a definitive case that the Dallas Cowboys have been the biggest offseason losers of the last two seasons?
If you want to give the Cowboys a pass on their lack of activity over the past two offseasons because they got deals done with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, then be my guest. Yet, I think it would be very appropriate to point out just how little the Cowboys have done to improve the roster over the last two offseasons.
Last offseason, the Cowboys lost Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, and Tyler Biadasz. This offseason, they’ve lost Zack Martin, Jourdan Lewis, Demarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks.
Sure, some of these players retired, but the list noteworthy offseason acquisitions has been pretty underwhelming. They traded for a pair of underperforming former first-round picks in Kaiir Elam and Kenneth Murray while signing Javonte Williams, Dante Fowler Jr., and Soloman Thomas this offseason.
They addressed some of these departures in last year’s draft too with Tyler Guyton, Marshawn Kneeland, and Cooper Beebe being their first three selections in the draft — but this roster feels like it has arguably gotten worse in two consecutive offseasons.
When you look around the NFC East, it’s hard to see a path where the Cowboys compete for the division crown. The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are loaded across the roster and the Washington Commanders made multiple trades and signings this offseason to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with talent while he is still on his rookie deal.
Prior to the draft, the Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert, and Jonathan Mingo slated as their main offensive contributors entering the 2025 NFL season.
Lamb is an elite receiver, but one could argue this group doesn’t strike much fear into the hearts of opposing defenses at the current moment.
Additionally, the Cowboys could have issues at linebacker with DeMarvion Overshown still recovering from a knee injury suffered late last season — leaving Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, and Jack Sanborn as potential full-time contributors to start the year.
Ultimately, this roster feels like it has a ceiling of a playoff win as currently constructed. To be honest, even that ceiling feels like it could be too aggressive unless the Cowboys hit multiple home runs in the upcoming NFL Draft.