The Cowboys enjoyed a productive offseason, but the Dallas front office will regret these three decisions for years to come.
Cowboys fans have every right to feel optimistic about the 2023 season. Jerry Jones and his front office did a nice job in free agency. The franchise managed to keep around some quality veterans at bargain prices while also bringing in some low-risk, high-reward players on the open market.
That doesn’t mean everything went according to plan for the Cowboys this offseason. Micah Parsons is still being asked to do too much on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a tremendous talent, but he needs more help when it comes to rushing the passer.
The offense looks set for big things with the addition of Brandin Cooks to the receiver room. He’s not a classic No. 1 but CeeDee Lamb should blossom into that sort of player as he hits his athletic prime. Dak Prescott should help this unit score plenty of points.
Dallas deserves plaudits for their overall work this offseason, but the following three decisions could stop the Cowboys from being Super Bowl contenders this year.
Worst Cowboys moves of the offseason: 3. Keeping Tony Pollard on the Franchise Tag
Pollard’s injury status complicated the Cowboys’ decision-making on him this offseason. If he were healthy, it’s likely they could have come to him with a multi-year contract he would’ve been willing to sign.
As it stands, he’s currently slated to come back on the Franchise Tag that will pay him just over $10 million next season. That isn’t a long-term error since it’s just a one-year deal, but paying him that kind of premium salary caused the Cowboys to pinch pennies elsewhere in free agency.
Tagging Pollard isn’t an egregious error by any means, but it would have been hugely helpful to get his cap number down on a modest, multi-year extension. That will be the team’s goal next offseason even if Pollard plays great when he returns from injury in 2023.