Jerry Jones cheapness costs Cowboys quality Tony Pollard replacement

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks off field after free agency, team fails to sign any players, raising concerns.

On January 7, 2024, in Landover, Maryland, USA, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was seen walking off the field after the first day of free agency. Surprisingly, the Cowboys were the only team that did not sign a player on that day. It seems like Jerry Jones is content with doing the bare minimum to improve the leaking roster, which has weaknesses in multiple key positions.

While the Cowboys did not overpay to keep their own free agents like Tony Pollard, Dorance Armstrong, and Tyler Biadasz, who all signed with other teams, they failed to replace them adequately. Despite losing these players early in the tampering period, Dallas only made a run at one replacement player - Zack Moss. Moss ended up signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Bengals, a contract that exceeded the Cowboys' comfort level.

The fact that the Cowboys found $4 million per year for Moss to be too expensive raises questions about their approach to free agency. Moss, who performed well for the Colts last season, had impressive stats comparable to Pollard's, despite fewer carries and playing in a less effective offense. The Cowboys have missed out on other quality running backs like Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones, and J.K. Dobbins, raising concerns about their willingness to invest in key positions.

The reluctance to spend on a player like Moss, who could have potentially strengthened the roster, reflects a larger issue with how the Cowboys approach roster building. Despite the salary cap increase before free agency, the Cowboys seem to be sticking to a conservative approach that may not yield positive results. It's time for the Cowboys to reassess their strategy and make bold moves to address the team's weaknesses if they want to see success in the future.