Just when it seemed like the Dallas Cowboys were off to a promising start this offseason, things have quickly settled into their usual organizational routine—one that often leaves fans scratching their heads. Initially, the front office wasted no time locking down key players like defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and taking care of business with other restricted free agents. But then, the momentum seemed to stall. Now, rather than making a splash with a major defensive acquisition, the Cowboys appear to be shutting the door on any potential difference-makers.
Meanwhile, the rest of the NFL has been buzzing with unexpected moves—surprise releases, shocking trades, and superstars seeking new opportunities. One of the biggest names on the trade market? Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The guy is an absolute force, leading the league in sacks last season and racking up back-to-back years with 17.5 sacks. Over the last five seasons, he’s hit double-digit sacks in four of them, proving he’s one of the most dominant edge rushers in the game. You’d think any team looking to beef up their defense would be all over him. But the Cowboys? They’re apparently not interested.
If you’ve followed the Cowboys for any amount of time, this won’t come as a shock. The idea of Dallas making a blockbuster trade for a pass rusher of Hendrickson’s caliber was always a long shot. But the reasoning they’ve given for passing on him? That’s what’s raising eyebrows. The Cowboys reportedly believe Hendrickson’s contract demands aren’t “adequate for a player of his level.” Seriously? We’re talking about a guy who has racked up 35 sacks over the past two seasons—more than even their own superstar, Micah Parsons, has managed in that span. That’s not just a questionable stance; it’s borderline insulting to one of the league’s top defenders.
Now, there are valid reasons Dallas might want to avoid making this trade. Maybe they don’t want to part with valuable draft capital. Maybe they’re concerned about Hendrickson’s age or the long-term financial commitment of extending him. After all, if they plan to secure Parsons with a mega-deal soon, that would be the third massive contract they’d have to juggle. Those would be understandable justifications. But dismissing Hendrickson’s value outright? That’s the kind of statement that sends shockwaves across the league. Star players notice things like this when considering whether Dallas is a destination worth their time.
To make matters more confusing, this all comes right after Jerry Jones made some cryptic comments at Zack Martin’s retirement press conference. Jones, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the NFL Combine, finally broke his silence to discuss how the Cowboys plan to handle free agency. But instead of offering clarity, he left everyone scratching their heads. Jones essentially told fans not to expect much from the Cowboys in free agency, adding, “I don’t think aggressive is the right word.”
That’s quite the contrast from what Stephen Jones had said just weeks earlier at the Combine, where he described the Cowboys’ approach as “selectively aggressive.” So which is it? Are they planning to make big moves or not? If they’re not planning to be major players in free agency, then why restructure Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts to create a ton of cap space? Something isn’t adding up.
And that’s the frustrating thing about the Cowboys—they always seem to be full of contradictions. On one hand, they’ve been proactive about securing their own talent early this offseason, which is a great sign. They’ve freed up a noticeable chunk of cap space. That money has to be going somewhere, right? Maybe it’s earmarked for re-signing key free agents like cornerback Jourdan Lewis or defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. But even after those moves, there would still be plenty left over to make a splash in the free-agent market.
So what’s the plan? Is Dallas actually gearing up to be aggressive, or was that just lip service? Initially, there were strong indications that the Cowboys would approach this offseason differently—more focused on improving the roster through external acquisitions. But now, in typical Cowboys fashion, it feels like that idea is already being walked back. It took just a few days for reality to set in and douse any excitement fans might have had about big-name signings.
The frustrating part is that the Cowboys aren’t in a rebuild. They have the pieces to compete at a high level. But their unwillingness to make bold moves in free agency or the trade market continues to hold them back. Instead of going all-in to strengthen their defense, they’re playing it safe—maybe a little too safe. And that’s why so many fans are left wondering: Is this team really serious about contending for a Super Bowl, or are they content just staying competitive without ever taking that next step?
The thing about NFL offseasons is that they can change in an instant. One big trade, one unexpected signing, and the entire narrative shifts. But as it stands, the Cowboys’ approach to this offseason is feeling all too familiar. Just a week ago, there was optimism. Now? It’s back to business as usual in Dallas.
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