It’s always an amazing journey from one NFL season to the next. The offseason is long and the picture for a team can change multiple times in what seems like a short span of time. Rewind just a couple of months and people outside of the star in Frisco Texas would have you believe that the football earth was flat and cleats don’t click. Or better yet, that Jerry Jones who has done business as the GM of the Dallas Cowboys for 35 years suddenly forgot how to negotiate and sign his own star players. Well Jerry predictably locked up CeeDee Lamb this offseason by signing him to a historic 4 year extension which secures one of the league’s best offensive weapons. That move instantly changed the picture for not only the Cowboys offense, but also the NFC landscape.
What’s gone largely unnoticed is that Lamb’s signature gives Jerry and the Cowboys roughly $28mil in cap space. Money that is much needed and must be spent presumably to secure Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons for the future. With the success that Will Mclay and the Cowboys personnel staff has had in the draft, it has been clear that the teams philosophy is to draft well and retain its own homegrown talent. This means that they have a plan and I think we are finally seeing just how well orchestrated that plan has been. After adding 4 time pro bowl running back Dalvin Cook on Wednesday, the Cowboys offensive question marks turned into intriguing veteran options. The real deal in Dallas is that Jerry Jones and company have constructed another legitimate championship level roster no matter what Cowboy haters may say.
It’s important to keep in mind that the offseason is about getting better. Taking a look at what didn’t work and how to fix it. The Cowboys offense was top 5 in total offense and 1st in points scored which makes it pretty clear that the other side of the ball had more issues to address. That doesn’t mean that Dak couldn’t use more weapons or upgrades. Jalen Tolbert will be a clear upgrade to the departed Michael Gallup, and year 2 of Brandon Cooks in this “Texas Coast” offense should offer the explosive presence that everyone hoped for from the initial Cooks signing. Bringing Ezekiel Elliot back makes the redzone offense better instantly as he has an undeniable ability to finish at the goaline. Redzone struggles were top of the list of problems to solve for McCarthy’s group and Dallas got better.
Add Mike Zimmer to the equation who is a proven force as a defensive coordinator and a much needed voice of accountability and you take a defense that was loaded with talent ,but a bit raw, and you turn it into a complete bully. Dallas couldn’t stop the run last year and Zimmer brings attitude with sound aggressive run fit schemes. The linebacker position struggled to hold up due to injury and just a flat out lack of bodies. That problem again has been solved with Eric Kendrinks, Maris Liufau, and the healthy return of Demarvion Overshown which add size, speed and explosive options at the second level. Dallas will be great on defense in 2024…not good… great!
In short, all of the talk about who signed a contract and who is still yet to sign one was raging around the league while Jerry Jones and company were smartly, patiently and precisely getting better. The real deal is that every team that faces the Cowboys this season will have to negotiate with an elite offense and an elite defense for 17 games and beyond. Do not be surprised if Jerry Jones wins that negotiation as well.