Cautious approach to free agency has not netted results for Cowboys

Since 2015, the Dallas Cowboys have largely steered clear of signing outside free agents to contracts worth more than $6 million per year.

This strategy, which has stood out in stark contrast to the aggressive spending sprees seen with other NFL teams, reflects a calculated and, at times, controversial approach to roster building.

Notably, the Cowboys have not signed a free agent to a contract surpassing that $6 million threshold since they inked former defensive end Greg Hardy to a one-year, $11.3 million deal in 2015.

So, why have the Cowboys chosen this path, and how has it shaped their fortunes over the past decade?

This cautious approach to free agency has not netted the desired results.

The $6 Million Man

The last time the Cowboys made a significant splash in free agency was in 2015, when they brought in Greg Hardy, a player with immense talent but a controversial past.

Hardy had been a dominant pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers but had a history of legal issues, including a domestic violence incident that led to a suspension.

Dallas took a risk on Hardy, offering him a one-year, $11.3 million deal with the hope that he could bolster their pass rush.

Unfortunately, Hardy’s tenure with the Cowboys was short-lived and turbulent. Despite showing flashes of his old form, he was unable to consistently perform at a high level, and his off-field behavior created additional distractions.

After a turbulent season, Hardy was released by the Cowboys.

His brief and troubled stint served as a cautionary tale for the franchise, marking the end of their willingness to spend big on outside free agents.

Shifting Into Low Gear

In the years following Hardy’s departure, the Cowboys front office, led by general manager Jerry Jones and his son Stephen Jones, shifted their focus away from high-profile free-agent signings.

The Cowboys have instead opted for a more conservative approach, prioritizing the development of their own talent through the draft and carefully managing their cap space, or pie, as they like to call it.

While many NFL teams continue to make a splash in free agency, particularly during the opening days of the offseason, the Cowboys have become selectively unaggressive in their approach.

This caution has not gone unnoticed by fans, with many questioning whether the franchise’s reluctance to spend on outside players is holding them back from championship contention.

There is a shift in perspective in 2025, notably how aggressive the Cowboys have been in acquiring former 1st round talent to replenish depth on the roster.

However, it is still not enough to move the needle with fans or analysts, who can clearly see that the Cowboys might appear to be more aggressive, but it’s still not enough.

Will McClay’s World

One of the primary reasons the Cowboys have refrained from signing high-dollar free agents is their emphasis on building through the draft.

The team has consistently focused on acquiring young talent and nurturing them to be key contributors.

This philosophy has produced notable successes, such as the selections of QB Dak Prescott, CB DaRon Bland, and WR CeeDee Lamb, just to name a few.

We can thank VP of Player Personnel Will McClay for this change. Since taking on a larger role in the draft, the Cowboys have hit on their first-round picks at an alarming rate.

Not only that, but late-round picks like the aforementioned DaRon Bland and rising star LB DeMarvion Overshown have blossomed into superstars as well.

By focusing on the draft, the Cowboys have been able to maintain long-term financial flexibility.

They’ve been able to lock up core players on reasonable contracts, such as WR CeeDee Lamb and DT Osa Odighizuwa, while avoiding the temptation to overpay for veterans in free agency.

This strategy is designed to create a sustainable roster that can contend year after year, without the boom-or-bust nature that can come with big-ticket free-agent signings.

Mixed Emotions

While the Cowboys’ approach has yielded some success, particularly with the development of their core players, it has also led to frustration among fans who want to see more aggressive moves in free agency.

The lack of high-profile signings has often been cited as a reason the Cowboys have not been able to reach the Super Bowl in recent years.

Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams, for example, have made bold moves in free agency to complement their rosters, leading to championships.

Dallas, on the other hand, has repeatedly come up short, often criticized for its inability to land the final piece to push the team over the edge.

This has led to a narrative that the Cowboys are playing it too safely, and that their conservative approach may be preventing them from achieving the ultimate goal of a championship.

We have waited nearly 30 years now for another NFC Championship Game appearance, and if things don’t change, we might wait another 30.