An anonymous NFL executive delivered a scathing assessment of the Dallas Cowboys under Jerry Jones following the 2026 free agency period.
The critique, published by Mike Sando of The Athletic, highlighted concerns that the Cowboys have consistently struggled to turn talent into sustained postseason success.
“Dallas is one of those spin-your-wheels type teams that never really gets a lot better,” the executive said. “The Cowboys ranked 19th in free agency spending, adding $42.9 million in new contracts.”
The executive also pointed to the team’s decision to cut Osa Odighizuwa, whom they had signed a year earlier to a four-year, $80 million deal. He was traded to San Francisco for a third-round pick, leaving the Cowboys with $16 million in dead cap.
In a separate move to improve pass rushing after Micah Parsons‘s departure, the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for Rashan Gary.
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“I was a little disappointed with Dallas,” another executive said. “They got Rashan Gary, who Green Bay was not fired up about. They were not necessarily going to bring him back.”
Jones defends his strategy
Despite mounting criticism, Jerry Jones insists the Cowboys are heading in the right direction.
“We’ve been aggressive, and relatively speaking, we’ve stepped up the financial requirements for what we have done,” Jones said at the NFL owners meeting.
“We may have exceeded, busted, whatever you want to call it, but we got some more, and so we’re not through.”
Opportunities and challenges ahead
The Cowboys front office faces significant roster decisions this offseason, particularly on defense.
The contract of franchise-tagged George Pickens also remains unresolved.
With two first-round draft picks later this month, Jones and his team have an opportunity to address key needs and reshape the roster for a potential playoff push.
