2024 Cowboys Free Agency Thread

[1bigfan13]

Also, if you knew that your offseason activity was heavily dependent on a player's contract situation, why not draw a hard line in the sand to get something done ~48 hours before free agency kicks off?

That's what smart, forward thinking organizations do.

That's why I believe they're purposely dragging Dak's contract extension out in order to deflect criticism. "Our hands were tied until we got Dak's deal done."

 

[Simpleton]

You are arguing over which is the shinier turd. Both are shit and Stephens way is worse because it gives hope (to the non realists) only to snatch it away right in front of them.

In terms of winning a Super Bowl, probably, because the culture is rancid, but you can't just ignore the fact that our regular season record over the last decade is like the 6th best in the league or something.

Nobody wants to hear it but you don't just luck your way into such a thing, someone is doing something right, even if they aren't doing everything or even most things right.

I'd still take that over what would likely be perpetual 6-8 win seasons under Jerry's old way of doing things.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Agree with Simp. We're all frustrated now, but the team at least drafts better and doesn't make the idiotic Galloway or RW11 trades anymore. Not to mention the early 2000s abysmal drafting.

Stephen just needs to realize that even though overall you're on the right track, there are strategic times to tweak the strategy a little and go for it.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

In terms of winning a Super Bowl, probably, because the culture is rancid, but you can't just ignore the fact that our regular season record over the last decade is like the 6th best in the league or something.

Nobody wants to hear it but you don't just luck your way into such a thing, someone is doing something right, even if they aren't doing everything or even most things right.

I'd still take that over what would likely be perpetual 6-8 win seasons under Jerry's old way of doing things.

You know the NFL is interesting. We all start the season thinking everyone is trying to win a Superbowl. In reality there are probably only 10 teams or so trying to win a Superbowl. The other 22 teams are trying to build or rebuild. I think what Stephen has mastered is always being on of those teams that is trying to win a Superbowl but never really having what it takes to win a Superbowl. He would rather sit in that area permanently. The other NFL teams are constantly shifting between the two groups knowing that sometimes you have to break it down, start fresh and than push for a Superbowl.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think what Stephen has mastered is always being on of those teams that is trying to win a Superbowl but never really having what it takes to win a Superbowl.

The other part is, maybe Dak just isn't good enough. In that case it's very hard to win it all no matter what you do.

But I guess that's part of it too, recognizing that your QB is good but not good enough and having the guts to make that big move.

 

[Simpleton]

You know the NFL is interesting. We all start the season thinking everyone is trying to win a Superbowl. In reality there are probably only 10 teams or so trying to win a Superbowl. The other 22 teams are trying to build or rebuild. I think what Stephen has mastered is always being on of those teams that is trying to win a Superbowl but never really having what it takes to win a Superbowl. He would rather sit in that area permanently. The other NFL teams are constantly shifting between the two groups knowing that sometimes you have to break it down, start fresh and than push for a Superbowl.

I don't know if that's a conscious thing or more a function of the circumstances Stephen has found himself in.

Both Romo and Dak were upper-tier QB's that the team found with what amounts to dart throws, when you have basically 15 continuous years of having a top 10ish QB in the league you're naturally going to generally find yourself in that upper tier of competition.

I'll be very curious to see how aggressive he/the organization is in finding the next "franchise" QB once Dak is gone.

 

[Genghis Khan]

The problem is, they don’t know they’re doing it. Insulting our intelligence…. I really believe they think this is the way. In fact, they believe they are smarter than other GM’s and Owners, just haven’t struck gold yet. Meanwhile, we are digging with the wrong tools, still using pickaxes and shovels while other team are using drill and dynamite.

I just think they are stupid.

 

[Simpleton]

I just think they are stupid.

I think they are very stupid and just kind of stumbled onto the strategy of prioritizing the draft over everything, while at the same time kind of lucking into a decent personnel guy in McClay.

 

[p1_]

Also, if you knew that your offseason activity was heavily dependent on a player's contract situation, why not draw a hard line in the sand to get something done ~48 hours before free agency kicks off?

That's what smart, forward thinking organizations do.

That's why I believe they're purposely dragging Dak's contract extension out in order to deflect criticism. "Our hands were tied until we got Dak's deal done."

theyve had ample time to do Dak's contract. I dont see any incentive for delaying, none.

 

[p1_]

This seems to get buried in the Cap Boy abuse.

 

[Bipo]

This seems to get buried in the Cap Boy abuse.

This is the problem. They want the rank and file to play for nothing while paying 4-5 guys at elite levels. You'll never win shit like that unless QB1 is actually worth that elite pay.

 

[1bigfan13]

But I guess that's part of it too, recognizing that your QB is good but not good enough and having the guts to make that big move.

This is what will keep them tied to the hip of a QB like Dak and willing to overpay him for another 4-7 years. They are terrified of starting over at the position even though it's pretty clear that the current QB is part of the problem.

 

[boozeman]

We are at the stupid stage when we pretend a never was is now viable. Sad!

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The other part is, maybe Dak just isn't good enough. In that case it's very hard to win it all no matter what you do.

But I guess that's part of it too, recognizing that your QB is good but not good enough and having the guts to make that big move.

Could be but then what was Romo? Also a QB who just wasn't good enough. This problem doesn't span just Dak. It basically spans the Cowboys since Parcells left. Which also happens to be the era when Stephen in my opinion has really taken over. But sure, the QB could be the problem but it goes along with what I'm saying. Keep paying the really good QB who just isn't good enough, instead of trading them, getting assets, freeing up cap room, and then making a hard run when you find a young, cheap and talented QB.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

This is the problem. They want the rank and file to play for nothing while paying 4-5 guys at elite levels. You'll never win shit like that unless QB1 is actually worth that elite pay.

Maybe it's just recency bias but doesn't it feel like the only QB in the NFL you can do that with is Mahomes? Allen isn't winning a Superbowl. Lamar Jackson isn't winning a Superbowl. No one else is really winning Superbowls with these highly paid franchise QBs. They may have more playoff success than us but the end results have basically been the same.

 

[Bipo]

Maybe it's just recency bias but doesn't it feel like the only QB in the NFL you can do that with is Mahomes? Allen isn't winning a Superbowl. Lamar Jackson isn't winning a Superbowl. No one else is really winning Superbowls with these highly paid franchise QBs. They may have more playoff success than us but the end results have basically been the same.

The fact that anyone is paid as much or more than Mahomes is fucking ridiculous.

His pay should be whatever....and everyone else at least 10 mil per year less.

 

[Cujo]

Please be patient with Stephen.

Fuck that asshole. Been patient for 28 fucking years. He can go fuck his mother.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The fact that anyone is paid as much or more than Mahomes is fucking ridiculous.

His pay should be whatever....and everyone else at least 10 mil per year less.

I mean realistically that's kind of how it feels. And right now at least in the NFC it's been teams with cheap QBs and elite teams that make the Superbowl the last two years. Jalen Hurts was still on the cheap a couple years ago. Purdy is still on the cheap. The Rams traded for their QB before winning it. The Bucs were on a rental agreement with Brady. Jimmy G the year before that wasn't a franchise QB.

This concept of get a guy, develop him and pay him for the remainder of his career only seems to be working for the Chiefs right now.

 

[bbgun]

Jalen Hurts was still on the cheap a couple years ago.

He's still cheap, only making $13.5M in 2024.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Could be but then what was Romo? Also a QB who just wasn't good enough.

Personally I think Romo was a little better than Dak... But he had a battleship anchor called Garrett to deal with.

Hell I think Jerry was dangerously close to keeping that redheaded idiot even longer until Stephen talked him out of it.