4 ways Jerry Jones’ ego could hurt the Cowboys this offseason

1. Jerry Jones won’t allow himself to get the Cowboys a star DT like Da’Ron Payne

In what can only be described as a strange and relatively uneven class of free agents for the 2023 offseason, perhaps one of the most coveted players among the group is Commanders defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne. The Alabama product has been a game-wrecker on the interior in Washington but could now look for and jump at the opportunity to play for a winning team.

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has already made it clear on social media that Payne is the exact type of player the Dallas defense could use. He’s right, too. Dallas got solid but sporadic performances from the likes of Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore and others this season, but no one in their defensive tackle room was a true game-changer in the way that Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence can be on the outside.

There is definitely a factor of money to consider. Dallas is currently over the 2023 salary cap and will have to make room just to get under that number. Thus, they might not have the budget to go after a top-dollar free agent like Payne — though they could also make the room to do that. That’s not where Jones’ ego could cost the Cowboys, though.

Instead, just think about this: Wouldn’t it be completely in character for Jones to simply look at a former Washington player and not even consider making a deal simply because he’s coming from a rival? That might sound outlandish, but Jones can never be counted out with doing something outlandish. And it feels like he’s going to whiff on a prime opportunity to answer a big need for the franchise with someone like Payne.