Cowboys Team Notes

Here's why Cowboys land at No. 18 in ESPN's offseason power rankings

It’s “All about Jerry.”

That’s the introduction to the Dallas Cowboys entry in ESPN’s offseason Power Rankings. As the season is set to kick off, there’s a lot of work for the Cowboys to do to bounce back from a 7-10 season. That begins with their decision on whether or not to extend the franchise tag on anyone, and then to how they are going to maneuver through free agency and the draft.

Brian Schottenheimer is the seventh different coach hired by owner and general manager Jerry Jones since the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl in 1996. It’s time for Jerry and Stephen Jones to do more to support Schottenheimer with a roster that can contend for a Super Bowl, which means using free agency more than they have even if it’s not via top-of-the-market signings. The disillusionment of Cowboys fans has never been higher, and Jerry has to do something to show he is committed to ending the 29-year drought as soon as possible. — Todd Archer
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ESPN’s Todd Archer weighed in on the state of the Cowboys, as the outlet ranked them slightly higher than several teams which finished with a better 2024 record, but still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. The Cowboys landed ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals; five teams who managed eight wins on the year.

Dallas is still woefully behind the Philadelphia Eagles (4th) and Washington Commanders (6th), though.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/cowboys-espn-power-rankings-2025-offseason/
 
Struggling Cowboys 1st-round pick can't be fixed by position switch

There’s been a considerable degree of disappointment and discussion revolving around the Dallas Cowboys’ top draft pick from last year. Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys’ first-round draft selection in 2024, was selected to fill the left tackle vacancy left by Tyron Smith. But after one year in the books all he’s done is given Dallas more question marks on their offensive line.

Guyton, a standout right tackle at Oklahoma, possessed all the required traits and abilities required to protect the blindside in the NFL. His massive 6-foot-7, 322-pound frame was matched with next level athleticism, explosion and agility, earning an RAS score of 9.73 (relative athletic score, 1-10 range). Like Smith before him, he was being asked to switch sides of the offensive line here in the pros. Also like Smith, he had all the physical traits to make such a transition a perfectly reasonable request.

That’s not to say the move from RT to LT is an easy one. Switching sides of the offensive line has been likened to “wiping” with the other hand. It’s an unnatural and uncomfortable switch, requiring time and repetition before it can be cleanly (pun intended) and confidently executed. It’s why most transitions such as this take place over the offseason – so players have ample time to get in the reps and hone their craft.

Guyton, just a 13-game starter at right tackle in college, didn’t have an entire offseason to make the switch but he still had enough time to lay down some solid muscle memory before the regular season kicked off. Most field work isn’t done until minicamps and training camp anyway so whatever delay he faced being an April addition was minimal given the NFL calendar.

A strong training camp and preseason pushed the expectation-o-meter to new heights prior to the season. Guyton showed all of the dominant skills scouts mentioned in his various draft profiles and he looked like the next great cornerstone of the Cowboys offensive line.

Once the regular season began the outlook changed quickly. Guyton was frequently slow off the snap, sloppy in his technique and distant in concentration, leading to whiffs and flags. Instead of improving each week things seemingly got worse, with Guyton eventually landing on the bench working in some sort of rotational platoon with youngster Asim Richards and journeyman Chuma Edoga.

With all due respect to Edoga, he’s a player who has essentially plateaued in his own development. He’s generally seen as a good reserve but not a starting quality player with upside. The fact he was taking snaps ahead of Guyton late in the year says a lot about Guyton and what the coaching staff thought about him. It seemed as though physical limitations weren’t Guyton’s issue; it was other issues outside of physical ability that was threatening his starting spot.

In a recent episode of Love of the Star podcast, Bryan Broaddus, a former Cowboy scout and current media member, discussed these issues in a somewhat poignant way.

“The thing with Guyton,” Broaddus said. “It’s about maturity or lack of right now. It’s about being a better pro.”
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Before the 2024 season even ended many were calling for Guyton to switch back to his college position of RT, as if his issues were just “wiping with the other hand.” But Broaddus’ words and the Cowboys’ curious actions late last season indicated the left side isn’t the issue with Guyton. It’s something more along the lines of heart, maturity, and/or focus.

“They felt good enough about him and his athletic ability to bring him in,” Broaddus said. “But they’ve gotta correct the penalties. They’ve gotta get him on track for being a more mature player.”
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Guyton’s issues as a pro are the same issues he had as a collegiate player. Guyton, Dane Brugler’s OT6 in the 2024 draft class, was both sloppy and inconsistent at RT. While raw and underdeveloped, Brugler said he can continue his upward trajectory, provided he’s motivated and healthy. Those were two issues that reared their head in 2024.

Guyton’s ceiling is through the roof and his athletic traits make him a unicorn of sorts at OT. Based on what’s been observed, his issues can’t simply be solved by switching sides of the formation. It’s something that must be fixed in his own head and heart. This may be the biggest challenge for the new Cowboys coaching staff.

Broaddus can have the final words…

“For Guyton, maybe [it’s] some of our fault for talking about him, but the player needs to look in the mirror as well and work harder at his craft.”
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/tyler-guyton-struggles-dallas-cowboys-maturity/
 
Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft has 3 RBs in Rd 1, none to Cowboys

The NFL scouting combine is now less than 10 days away, with the first group of participants scheduled to take the field for testing and drills between February 27 and March 2. That window will finalize the on-field portion of draft board building, with teams still maneuvering prospects up and down based on scheme fit and personalities.

For now though, mock drafts are still relying on game film and evaluations, and it’s always fun to see where various draftniks see certain prospects as fitting best with team needs. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently checked in with his 2.0 mock of the first round with an interesting twist.

For those who believe that running backs shouldn’t go in the first round, they should be prepared to be disappointed. Jeremiah has three backs all having their names called on Day 1 of the draft, but none of them are shipped to the Dallas Cowboys.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson were all picked in the 20s, long after Dallas selected Mississippi State DT Walter Nolen.

Nolen is a very twitchy disrupter and could replace Osa Odighizuwa if he departs in free agency.
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Nolen was the apple of the eye of Cowboys Wire’s most recent seven-round mock draft, so the sentiment is strong that he’d be a great fit for Dallas.

Jeremiah shipped Jeanty to the Steelers at No. 21, Hampton to the Chargers at No. 22 and Henderson to the Vikings at No. 24. Each of those teams are likely to see their current top backs depart in free agency.

Najee Harris, JK Dobbins and Aaron Jones are among the biggest names at the position in free agency, along with the Cowboys’ Rico Dowdle. Dowdle checked in with a 1,000-yard season in his first year getting extended snaps. If he departs, perhaps the Cowboys fill his void with one of those other names in free agency.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/cowboys-nfl-mock-draft-nolen-jeanty-hampton/
 
Cowboys shouldn't place franchise tag on this highly-sought after free agent

The franchise tag window opens on Tuesday, marking the unofficial start of the 2025 offseason. While the start of the new league year is still a couple weeks off and the scouting combine has yet to commence, teams are going to declare their intentions on some of the biggest stars in the league set to hit free agency.

There is a two-week window for teams to lock in players under the franchise or transition tag designations, which will change the target’s landscape and restrict their movement possibilities. For the Dallas Cowboys, there seems to only be one player worthy of consideration for the tag; defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.

The Cowboys will likely approach Odighizuwa to try and work out a long-term deal, but if they cannot work that out over the next two weeks, should they slap the franchise tag on him?

Odighizuwa is a former third-round pick who has started for pretty much the entirety of his young career, manning the middle of a defensive line that has been a pass-rushing force in the league for much of his tenure.

Odighizuwa may have turned in his best performance in a year when the rest of the team had a downturn, answering prior concerns about his ability to last through a 17-game season and finishing the last half of the year strong. Odighizuwa has always been atop the league in pressure stats, but he’s never been able to translate that into QB takedowns, scoring his career-high in sacks in 2024 with 4.5.

But he’s consistently in the backfield, notching 38 pressures as a rookie, 38 in Year 2, 44 in Year 3 and a whopping 60 in Year 4. His disruptive nature is key to being able to keep the QB from stepping up in the pocket and often allowing edge rushers to get into the backfield and take the passer down.

But a one-year commitment for $23.5 million, the cost of a franchise tender for a defensive tackle in 2025, may be too much. For one, the Cowboys are currently up against the cap. There are triggers in place on other contracts for the club to get $56 million under quickly, but using over one-third of that for Odighizuwa may be too much.

A long-term deal, if they want to retain him, so that the 2025 cap hit isn’t too severe, seems like the only viable choice.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/cowboys-franchise-tag-window-2025-osa-odighizuwa/
 
Mock draft projects Cowboys to trade 1st-round picks for 6x All-Pro, pair Garrett with Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t made a splash in the draft in some time. This prediction would certainly qualify. NFL.com allows all of their draft analysts to turn in mock drafts throughout the offseason and Dan Parr has certainly shaken up the first round with this doozy.

After selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 2 overall selection (Tennessee selected QB Cam Ward at No. 1), the Cleveland Browns went about honoring the request of their disgruntled all-world defender Myles Garrett. Their trading partner was the Cowboys, who ponied up two first-round picks to acquire him and pair him with Micah Parsons.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS

The Cowboys’ all-in mantra is back, baby. Jerry Jones isn’t going to sit on his hands and watch the NFC East run away from him, so he trades two first-rounders (this year’s and next year’s) for Myles Garrett, while the Browns get a new centerpiece for their offense. It would take some creative salary cap maneuvering for Dallas to make it happen, but Micah Parsons has already said he’d take less if it meant he would get to play opposite Garrett.
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Along with TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the last four years of the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting have been dominated by these edge rushers. Parsons finished second, second and third from 2021 through 2023, with Garrett winning in 2023 and finishing fifth the prior year. He ranked third this most recent season and has been named to the All-Pro team six different times in his career. Five of those have been on the first team.

Pairing the two together on a defense would be an insane combination.

Garrett has had 14 or more sacks in four straight seasons and led the NFL in tackles-for-loss (TFLs) with 22 in 2024. Despite missing a chunk of games, Parsons has started his career with at least 12 sacks in each of his first four seasons.

Garrett, a native of Arlington, TX, is still just 29 years old through the entire 2025 season, and has three years remaining on his contract. Acquiring Garrett would add $14.8 million to the 2025 cap per Over The Cap, and $25 million to the 2026 cap, but in all likelihood would require an extension that averages current market value upwards of $35 million in average salary.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/cowboys-mock-trade-myles-garrett-draft-micah-parsons/
 
Cowboys Headlines: Eberflus on plan for Micah, Overstreet putting big chip on DBs' shoulders

The Cowboys put their new coordinators and assistants in front of the media on Tuesday, and they made some strong first impressions. We’ll get into what Matt Eberflus wants his defense to focus on and how he plans to weaponize Micah Parsons to the fullest. Then, defensive backs coach David Overstreet wants his corners and safeties to take things very personally in the Cowboys secondary. Finally, tight ends coach Lunda Wells is one of the few returning staffers, but his reason for coming back may be something of a shock.

Elsewhere, we’ll talk franchise tags and why the Cowboys probably shouldn’t use it this year on a defensive standout, even if it means watching him leave. Zack Martin could be on the move; we’ll try to forecast his best fit. And free agency could bring a legitimate WR2 to Dallas… to play alongside his brother. We’re looking at two mock drafts that beef up the D-line: one with a highly-rated prospect, and one with a blockbuster trade. We’ll look into Jake Ferguson’s troubling dropoff in 2024, we’ll tell you who might be the most likely salary-cap casualty in Dallas, and we’ll pinpoint the one reason why the Cowboys are below the midway mark in the offseason power rankings. All that, plus what Tyler Guyton needs to fix right now, and a former Cowboys assistant finally gets his long-awaited coordinator job.

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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...matt-eberflus-micah-parsons-david-overstreet/
 
'Create violence': New Cowboys coach vows 'controlled energy' to boost struggling unit

For Klayton Adams, it all starts, by his own admission, on the offensive line.

The newly-named offensive coordinator of the Cowboys, Adams was himself a walk-on O-lineman at Boise State in the early 2000s. Early in his coaching career, he was the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at D-II’s Western Washington. He’s since worked with the front five at Sacramento State and Colorado, and then at the pro level in both Indianapolis and Arizona.

But just because Adams is now an OC for the first time- and for one of the most stored franchises in the sport, no less, with all-world talents like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb now under his jurisdiction- don’t expect him to stray too far from the big boys up front.

“I definitely won’t stay away from that,” Adams laughed Tuesday, when he spoke with the Dallas media for the first time since his Jan. 31 hire. “I want to have a great relationship with all these guys, and I really want to build genuine relationships so that they know that I’m here to help them play the best football of their careers and they know that we’re going to have a very clear and communicated standard for what we expect from them.

“For me, that’s going to start in the offensive line room, and I’m very excited about developing a relationship with those guys. But I need to have that same relationship with Dak. I need to have that same relationship with CeeDee, so my time’s going to be spread a little bit more in that way, but it’s going to start on the offensive line.”

And Cowboys fans who may have felt like something has been missing in recent years will absolutely love what Adams says he’s looking for from his linemen… and the rest of the unit at large.

“The same thing that I want from every player on offense,” he says, “and that is to create violence in the game. Be aggressive. Run. Hit. I think that every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction. So if there’s gray area, what is going to allow these guys to play more free and run and hit and be violent?”

Adams will be creating the plays that hopefully check those boxes for the offense, but it will be first-time head coach Brian Schotteneheimer actually calling the shots on Sundays. So for now, the Sacramento-born Adams will be the intermediary: ascertaining what his offensive players are best at and cooking up plays to fit… but also putting them together on a menu that works for Schottenheimer on gameday.

“Just trying to mesh what the vision of what he wants,” Adams explained. “I think it would be dumb on my part to try to force a lot of things on that call sheet that he doesn’t want to call or he doesn’t feel comfortable calling.

“I’m going to see some things differently, he’s going to see some things differently. It’s going to be a growing process.”

But much of the job will also come down to the same basic principle that has been at the heart of football since the game’s very beginning: lining up in such a way that the other side can’t tell what’s coming.

“Our job,” according to Adams, “when we’re putting things on the call sheet, is to be problem solvers. So we’re trying to figure out: what do we do good? And how do we make that look multiple? How do we make that look different? That’s the part that I’m really looking forward to focusing on.”

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The Dallas offense struggled mightily last year. But the fact that Adams takes over an offense whose core contributors have finished in the NFL’s top three in points and the top five in yards in three of the past five years means it won’t have to be a total rebuild from scratch.

And having five offensive players with a combined 19 Pro Bowl nods (Zack Martin included, for now) has to be considered a massive bonus for Adams as he gets to work.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to let it unfold and look at it and say, ‘How do we put these guys in an advantageous position as many times as we can within a game?'” he told reporters. “That’s the challenge to me, and when you have good players, that’s a little bit easier.”

But don’t mistake Adams’s easygoing nature in front of the media for a passive approach on the sideline. The just-turned-41-year-old still has some of that hard-nosed, no-nonsense, O-lineman mentality deep in his DNA.

He’s the first to admit it’s ready to come out when it needs to.

“How I communicate with the players- on the field, in the meeting room- [it’s] controlled energy,” Adams said. “So I’m not going to have a lot of blowups, but it’s going to be very focused beams of ‘Here’s the problem; here’s the solution, here’s where we’re going to try to get that done.’ I’m not really a big blowup scream guy. But, you know, they’ve got to feel the intensity.”

And hopefully under Adams, the Cowboys offense will be showing plenty of intensity, too.

More 2025 Season!​

Struggling Cowboys 1st-round pick can't be fixed by position switch​


Here's why Cowboys land at No. 18 in ESPN's offseason power rankings​


Cowboys have used franchise tag 11 times, with mixed results​
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/19/cowboys-klayton-adams-quotes-create-violence/
 
NFL's new projected cap of $279.5M barely allows Cowboys a little wiggle room

The NFL is inching closer to the official start of the 2025 NFL season and with it, parameters are being put into place. The franchise tag window opened on Tuesday, allowing clubs to designate one free agent they’d like to have extended control of.

And while the Dallas Cowboys haven’t indicated they feel strongly about placing the tag on any of their crop of free agents, like DT Osa Odighizuwa, Wednesday’s new news is of major significance to them. Late last season the NFL projected where the salary cap for 2025 could end up, but now they’ve inched that projection up some. They’ve announced a range for the cap of between $277.5 and $281.5 million.

The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year’s $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025
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Prior estimates had the cap coming in around $272.5 million, so this is a significant increase of another $7 million. And with it, the Dallas Cowboys are now projected to be under the cap threshold when the new league year starts on March 12, by around $2.5 million.

This is key as all NFL teams need to be compliant with the cap by 4:00 pm ET that day, or the league will start removing players from the roster themselves. Dallas will not have to release or restructure anyone’s deal now, at least until they are interested in signing additional players.

The Cowboys currently have 54 players on their offseason roster, whose cap hits (along with dead money from players no longer on the team) total $298.55 million.

Dallas is carrying over unused cap space from 2024 totaling just under $20 million, allowing them to comfortably fit under the expected cap.

The Cowboys can restructure contracts to quickly get themselves to over $60 million of space, with other moves able to create even more room, but now have the added luxury of waiting until that is necessary.

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ current roster, which skews extremely young, and which positions they will need to address this offseason in order to be competitive.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/19/nfl-projection-salary-cap-2025-cowboys/
 
From Zero Star to Superstar: Cam Ward's mindset, motivation, and faith prepare him for 2025 NFL draft

Cam Ward moves with a quiet confidence.

Running into him at the Shrine Bowl in early February, brought about a double take. Was this really the same quarterback lighting up YouTube with highlight reels? The one teammates called a vocal leader, pushing them to a higher standard? His calm, steady energy suggested a guy more likely to be found meditating than commanding a huddle.

But once he started talking, it all became clear; the presence, the self-assurance that had won over so many.

“I’m the best quarterback in this draft,” he stated matter-of-factly.

No bravado. No theatrics. He delivered it with the same ease as the “Nice to meet you,” heard just a little while prior. He wasn’t trying to convince anyone; outside opinions were irrelevant. In Ward’s world, that was just the truth.

If one followed his journey, they wouldn’t bet against him. This season alone, he racked up five major awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award, ACC Player of the Year, and Consensus All-American honors—proof his talent speaks for itself.

Back in 2021, a YouTube video prophetically called him “The Superstar You’ve Never Heard Of.” At the time, he was fresh off leading the University of Incarnate Word—a program that was his only scholarship offer—to a 10-3 season with 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns.

His impressive stats at UIW could be considered making up for a lack of experience in high school. Columbia High ran a Wing-T offense, limiting Ward to a laughable 12 passing attempts per game. No stars, no scouting reports, no major offers. But instead of sulking, Ward locked in.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “It’s not about whether you can go to [a notable] school. It’s about playing football and making plays. That’s the only thing that’s gonna get you to the next level – making plays on the field. So if you got a good mindset and [you’re] coachable, you can do a lot of good things.”

That mindset turned the unheard-of kid into a quarterback who can’t go unnoticed. At the Shrine Bowl, a small frenzy broke out among an otherwise sparse crowd when fans spotted him on the patio of the Miller Lite Club. Security had to intervene as excited kids swarmed the railing, desperate for a photo, an autograph, or even just a glimpse.

Ward took it all in stride. “I wanted to put myself in this position since I was in high school,” he said, “I’m just glad God gave me a way, gave me the work ethic to go do it.”

That journey is now the focus of Zero Star, a docuseries currently in production from Firebrand Media, with Ward slated to star in its premiere episode. As a zero-star recruit with no ranking or scouting buzz, even his ironclad confidence felt the pressure.

“What I feel separated me from [more popular players] is that I was willing to do anything,” he explained, “I still will to do anything to get what I want out of football, whether I’m taken [at] the first pick or I’m taken the last pick of the draft. At the end of the day, everything is a mindset. If you don’t have the mindset, you’re not [gonna] be successful on the field or off the field.

Then, one last nod to what he considers his true power source.

“Keep God first and He’ll do a lot for you,” he said. “Sometimes, I would just pray and work out.”

That unwavering faith? It’s gotten him this far. And he’s still making plays.

So what’s next for Cam Ward? He’s heading to the NFL scouting combine on February 27, where he’ll have the chance to prove his case. Fans will see if NFL teams agree he’s the best quarterback when the 2025 NFL draft kicks off on April 25.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/19/cam-ward-interview-nfl-draft-2025/
 
Cowboys biggest 2025 FA decision proves why drafting his replacement is a foolish strategy

The Dallas Cowboys have a number of important roster decisions on their hands this offseason but perhaps none as big as what to do with standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa, a former third-round pick from 2021, is set to hit free agency this March. The four-year vet is the top ranked free agent DT on the market this cycle, and as such, expected to command an annual salary north of $20 million.

For the Cowboys, a team already considered weak on their defensive interior, they must decide not only if they can afford to sign him but if they can afford to lose him. Mazi Smith, a first-round pick in 2023, hasn’t developed like they hoped he would. While he’s improved enough to factor into the interior rotation, he’s far from assuming an all-important role of starting 3-tech DT.

It’s at that 3-tech position that Odighizuwa has thrived with Dallas. Despite posting just 13.5 career sacks, the former UCLA product has consistently measured as one of the better interior pressure players in the NFL. Last season, Odighizuwa’s best season to date, the 26-year-old posted 60 pressures which was tied for fifth in the league per PFF.

Perhaps more important than his year-over-year improvement was his play late last season. Prior to 2024 Odighizuwa had a reputation for disappearing late in the season. But last year he dispelled some of those concerns by playing the best ball of his season late in the year.

Odighizuwa’s slow and steady development speaks to a larger issue at the DT position. DT is a notorious slow developing spot in the NFL. The leap from college to the pros is significant and prospects take time to grow into the physical demands required in the NFL.

dt-pressure.png


DT prospects will typically peak when playing on their second or even third contract, often giving the original team who drafted them the raw end of the deal. It’s those teams who take the time to draft and develop, but fail to retain, who are the biggest losers in the equation. They sow the seeds but it’s another team who reaps the reward. It’s what stands to happen to Dallas if they can’t find a way to retain the ascending Odighizuwa this offseason.

Teams who build through both free agency and the draft can play the situation advantageously. They can dedicate free agent money to fill their DT position with outside veteran talent most seasons. As veterans these players can hit the ground running and don’t require the growing pains that are notorious with DTs playing on rookie contracts. Those teams can then use their draft picks to target positions that see quicker returns on the field.

For teams who don’t fully utilize free agency like the Cowboys, they must be willing to put up with the years of growing pains in hope that someday those players will hit their potential and get re-signed. If the second part of that formula can’t be achieved, those teams are simply drafting and developing star players for other teams.

Of course, there is risk and some informed speculation to accept in the case of Odighizuwa. If the Cowboys are going to dedicate significant money to him, they have to feel like his best years are ahead of him. Interior pressure players are extremely valuable in the NFL these days and can pay off enormously for non-blitzing defenses like Dallas’, but the Cowboys can’t afford to waste money on another high-cost player performing below expectations.

The 2025 NFL draft is loaded with attractive DT prospects this year so there’s no better time than now to be in the interior defensive lineman market. For the Cowboys they need a front-line DT addition even if they retain Odighizuwa this spring so under either scenario, they’re in the mix. If they allow Odighizuwa to leave in free agency, they could be in for a world of hurt on their interior, even if they reinvest in high draft picks and replacement level veterans. The position is that important and the needs are too significant.

Odighizuwa is unquestionably a success story for Dallas. He was a third-round pick who improved year after year, becoming a top-five interior pressure player by Year 4 and by the age of 26. Keep in mind there is only one DT, Asim McNeil, younger than Odighizuwa who ranked in PFF’s top 10 last season. The Cowboys free agent to-be is on an excellent trajectory and it would be a shame if Dallas missed out on his eventual peak.

After all, what’s the point of drafting and developing if the best years are just going to be played elsewhere?

Related articles​

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More!​

NFL's new projected cap of $279.5M barely allows Cowboys a little wiggle room​


'Create violence': New Cowboys coach vows 'controlled energy' to boost struggling unit​


Struggling Cowboys 1st-round pick can't be fixed by position switch​
Click to expand...

Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/19/cowboys-osa-odighizuwa-free-agent-2025-draft/
 
2025 Free Agency: Cowboys predicted to replace 7x First-Team All-Pro with 197-game starter

The Dallas Cowboys may have to wait to hear what the plans of Zack Martin are. The seven-time First-Team All-Pro is deciding whether or not he’s going to suit up for a 12th season. The 2014 first-round pick has been considering retirement since prior to the 2023 season, when Dallas responded by guaranteeing his salary for the final two years remaining on his deal.

They were two of the worst seasons of a stellar career, however. Under the direction of Mike Solari, the Cowboys’ offensive line didn’t perform up to their usual standards and the question is whether or not it was direction or attrition as the root cause. Now that Brian Schottenheimer has renewed a focus on the offensive line via his hires, one has to wonder if Martin would re-establish himself if he returned to Dallas.

If he doesn’t make a decision prior to free agency’s start , the Cowboys will have their own decision to make, and that would be whether to replace him from their current roster or go outside.

And if they go outside, Pro Football Network thinks there’s a good replacement coming out of Detroit,

When the Cowboys’ offense has been at its best, it has been backed by a strong offensive line. As a direct replacement for Martin, Kevin Zeitler would very much help them do that as he comes off a season playing against a very good Detroit Lions offensive line. Zeitler would be a short-term fix, but the Cowboys cap situation means they are likely unable to get involved in the conversation for the top free agents at each position.
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Kevin Zeitler is a 13-year veteran who has started 197 games across his career. He’s only made one Pro Bowl, but it was recent, in 2023 while he was with Baltimore.

Zeitler was a first-round pick two years before Martin, landing with the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 27 pick. He spent five years there before moving on to Cleveland and the New York Giants for two years each. He then spent four seasons in Baltimore before joining the Lions last season.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...agency-prediction-zeitler-martin-replacement/
 
Cowboys may be equipped to fix this big issue and match playoff teams' tendencies

When things don’t work in the NFL, like what happened during the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season, a smart thing to do is to look around and see what all the successful teams are doing. In some ways it’s a philosophy that says “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” but in other ways it’s a necessary analysis of league trends.

The Cowboys declined in a number of areas last season, but one area in particular saw a concerning degree, and that’s the defensive secondary. Dallas’ pass defense ranked top 10 in the NFL in both success rate and EPA/dropback in 2023. In 2024 they declined in both areas, falling outside the top 10 in both, and sparking an introspective assessment this winter.

After one season of leadership, Mike Zimmer is out at defensive coordinator (by his own volition) and Matt Eberflus is in.

Like Zimmer, Eberflus has a no-nonsense approach to the job and is a stickler for discipline. He uses a wide range of coverages, often leaning on zone looks on early downs and shifting to more man coverage on third downs. His focus on coverage makes him a versatile coordinator, capable of calling the right coverage scheme for the right situation.

The 14 playoff teams from 2024 can specifically provide insight into what the NFL’s top teams are doing these days and possibly give Eberflus a direction in which to focus his offseason blueprint.

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It’s no surprise the split safety defenses like Eberflus’ are gaining steam. Philadelphia’s Vic Fangio has been leading the charge for years and has been an inspiration to coordinators interested in eliminating the big plays.

What’s interesting to see is even the top split-safety teams like the Eagles, Chargers, Packers and Vikings are playing high doses of Cover 1 and Cover 3 each week. That’s because mixing safety locations and coverages is a necessary step in gameplay. Quarterbacks who know the coverages each play have a decided advantage over the defenses. Coordinators have to mix things up to keep opposing offenses on their toes.

It’s important to note, even though split-safety defenses rule the day, arguably the best coverage defense in the NFL, Denver, is built around single-high safety coverages. They match up so well in man coverage they rely heavily on Cover 1. It’s a similar situation with the Lions, Commanders and Steelers.

The takeaways are successful teams play to their individual strengths, and they mix up coverages quite a bit. There’s an instinct to simply call Fangio a split-safety coordinator but the reality is he’s only doing it slightly more than many coordinators known for their heavy use of single high.

Looking at the Cowboys roster much will depend on player availability.

If Malik Hooker is back, Dallas should be able to continue their use of Cover 1 (man). Hooker is excellent up top and exhibits the required range to play centerfield. If Trevon Diggs returns healthy, he’s well equipped to play in those single-high safety looks as well. Diggs is skilled in both man coverage and in deep zone when in Cover 3.

DaRon Bland is a cornerback who’s suited for either situation but is probably at his best in zone. When Bland can face the QB, he can jump routes and play the ball. Everyone familiar with his record breaking 2023 season can tell you there’s no one better.

If all the parts are back and available to Eberflus in 2025, he should be able to mix and match his coverages like the best of them. League trends have shown there are many different ways and combinations of ways to get the job done. As long as the calls play to the strength of the personnel and they offer a touch of disguise, they have the ability to succeed.

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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/19/nfl-coverage-schemes-dallas-cowboys/
 
Cowboys Headlines: Mock draft nets new WR2; Micah reacts to salary cap spike; this new coach could be key

As Cowboys fans continue to get to know their 2025 coaching staff, one under-the-radar hire may end up being the real key to Brian Schottenheimer’s debut season. We’ll tell you which assistant may get leaned on a lot this season, but we’ll also look at the Dallas coordinator who’s making a very unusual jump this year, the staffer who’s reuniting with one of his college stars, and the position coach who’s already preaching the good news that the fanbase has been waiting for.

Elsewhere, a larger-than-expected increase in the salary cap had Micah Parsons expressing his thoughts with three simple letters… and one agent says the Cowboys should call the edge rusher’s bluff when it comes to his contract negotiations. We’ll also look at a surprising possible replacement for Zack Martin… and why the team may fill his shoes with someone even older. All that, plus a two-round mock draft delivers a big-play threat opposite CeeDee Lamb, we dig further into the dilemma in Dallas over what to do with Osa Odighizuwa, and we definitively rule out one 2025 opponent for Week 1.

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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...5-tetairoa-mcmillan-micah-parsons-ken-dorsey/
 
9 Wide receivers Cowboys could target in trade talks, free agency

It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys have some work to do to re-establish their offense among the league’s best. It wasn’t long ago that the offense was a staple in the league’s top 10 rankings, no matter who was asking. The Cowboys were first in scoring in 2021 and 2023, and third in 2022, but plummeted to 21st in 2024. They were Pro Football Focus’ top offense in 2021, fourth in 2023, but No. 28 in 2024.

Dallas finished fourth in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2021, and ninth in 2023, but dropped to 25th in 2024. The drop is consistent with the loss of QB Dak Prescott, but the team’s passing game was a struggle even when he was under center and the biggest culprit was the lack of receiving options not named CeeDee Lamb.

Both Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson struggled in 2024, with the latter turning in the worst TE performance in the history of advanced stats. Cooks is a free agent and Dallas would be wise to find help from outside. Waiting to see how the draft falls and then hoping to get elite production from a rookie makes little sense unless they are ready to early commit the No. 12 pick (or higher) to the cause. So free agency, or the trade market might be the way to go.

Fortunately, this is a big offseason for potential wide receiver movement. It’s one of the most stacked positions in free agency and several other players could be available for trade. Wednesday’s announcement that the salary cap will have an additional $7 million in space certainly helps ease the idea of acquiring salary, and Dallas has options to create whatever room they desire, if they want to actually invest in Brian Schottenheimer’s tenure.

Here’s a look at the wideouts from PFF’s recent list of 22 top offseason targets, which should be of great interest to Stephen Jones.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/cowboys-2025-wide-receiver-targets-offseason/
 
$132 million, 6x Pro Bowler predicted to be perfect fit at WR for Cowboys

A general rule to live by in professional sports is don’t invest big money in older players. Players on the decline are scary investments to make because diminishing returns and declining health typically come with the territory. In some cases, these situations are unavoidable, like re-signing key internal free agents, but more often than not teams like the Dallas Cowboys would rather invest in youth and upside than experience and decline.

To fill the vacant receiver spot opposite CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys may not have much of a choice. Unless Dallas wants to use a top-50 pick on a plug-and-play WR in the 2025 NFL draft, they may need to invest in someone considered “over the hill.” Stefon Diggs is one such player who fits the mold as a free agent possibility, but there’s an older, possibly cheaper, player who may fit the Cowboys even better: Keenan Allen.

Allen, 32, has long been one of the most underrated WRs in the NFL. Lacking breakaway speed or even one double-digit touchdown season on his resume, Allen has flown under many fan radars over the years. Yet the 12-year veteran has posted six Pro Bowl invitations and six different 1,000-yard seasons over the years. His 68.1% catch percentage and 96.1 passer rating when targeted make him one of the most consistent free agent WRs to hit the market.

But that age thing…

If 2024 is any indication, Allen is a great player who’s on the decline. Playing in Chicago last season, Allen posted one of the worst years of his career. His 57.9 catch percentage was a career low, his 4.7 receptions per game matched a career low and his 47.1 yards per game marked a career low. Yet, the veteran WR may be just what the Cowboys need in 2025.

The Cowboys are in the market for a starting outside WR who is simultaneously affordable. Even with the possible drop-off, Keenan checks Box 1 as an instant starter and for all the decline highlighted above, he also checks that all-important second box for how much it would cost to sign him.

Although he’s raked in over $132 million in salary during his career, Allen is predicted to command a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency; a price tag similar to what Brandin Cooks commanded the last two seasons. He’s a player likely on the decline but he’s everything else the Cowboys need as they build a roster for 2025.

Allen, 6-foot-2, 211-pounds, is a true X receiver capable of beating press and creating separation in situations that make separation nearly impossible. Technically speaking, Allen is crisp, running uniform routes and using his body and natural ball skills to win contested balls. He’s a player whom timing-based offenses appreciate because he shows up at the right place at the right time on a consistent basis.

Never blessed with elite speed, Allen built a career creating separation against faster and more explosive competition. He can win with size in man coverage and can find soft spots consistently against zone. In 2024 Allen looked slower than previously seen which likely led to his decline in production. Yet Allen still showed the strengths of his game don’t rely on youth and speed proving the veteran free agent can still be a valuable contributor today in a more complementary role.

Lamb, Dallas’ undisputed No. 1, pushes whoever the Cowboys add at WR into the No. 2 role regardless. They don’t need Allen to be anyone he’s not. They do need him to be a blocker though.

Blocking from the WR spot will be an important trait for whoever the Cowboys add this offseason. Because Brian Schottenheimer wants to run closely-bunched formations in both running and passing situations, he needs WRs who are big and willing to block. Allen can be that guy.

Per PFF run blocking grades, Allen has declined as a run blocker in recent seasons. Yet still, he rates as one of the better run blockers over the years and given his size it’s reasonable to expect a bounce-back season given the role and responsibilities he’d be asked to fulfill in Dallas.

Related articles​

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For the best local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Austin American-Statesman.
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9 Wide receivers Cowboys could target in trade talks, free agency​


Cowboys may be equipped to fix this big issue and match playoff teams' tendencies​


2025 Free Agency: Cowboys predicted to replace 7x First-Team All-Pro with 197-game starter​
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/free-agent-keenan-allen-cowboys-perfect-fit-wr/
 
ESPN predicts NFL cuts, 9 players who make sense for Cowboys

With the new NFL season approaching, teams are working on adjusting their bottom lines. With an unexpected $7 million in cap space available for each team, some potential cuts could be curtailed as teams are able to carry higher priced players into the 2025 year. That doesn’t mean that roster cuts aren’t going to be taking place prior to the start of the new league year on March 12.

Recently, ESPN published a look at the biggest question mark facing all 32 teams when it comes to the salary cap. The review brought up several names who could be cut loose and several of them should be of interest for the Dallas Cowboys, who could be over $60 million in cap space in the blink of an eye.

TE Mark Andrews, Ravens

29-years old, Baltimore would save $11 million in space by releasing the veteran.

DE Myles Garrett, Browns

Dan Graziano doesn’t see a Garrett trade happening until after June 1, when they can better absorb the cap implications.

WR Christian Kirk, Jaguars

Kirk is a reasonably priced option who may be sent packing with a new Jacksonville regime and Brian Thomas taking the reigns as WR1.

DE Joey Bosa, Chargers

This would only impact Dallas if they haven’t worked out things with Micah Parsons… but that would be interesting.

CB James Bradberry, Eagles

Bradberry missed the year with an Achilles tear, but is supposed to be ready for OTAs. If he’s cut, he could be seen as Diggs insurance to start the year.

DE Cam Jordan, Saints

He’s going to be 36-years old, but Jordan is one of the best edge setters the sport has seen.

WR Deebo Samuel, 49ers

It seems that it’s prohibitive for the 49ers to trade Samuel and they’ll end up having to designate him as a June-1 cut.

WR Tyler Lockett, Seahawks

Lockett has been demoted to WR3 in Seattle, but he’d be WR2 for Dallas if they brought him in.

LB Dre’Mont Jones, Seahawks

Jones hasn’t been worth the top-tier money Seattle has him on the books for, but would make a nice addition for Dallas, especially as they wait for DeMarvion Overshown’s recovery.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/cowboys-nfl-2025-roster-cuts-good-fits/
 
Zack Martin's retirement after stellar 11-year career cements Cowboys' Ineptitude Era

It’s the end of an era. Zack Martin has retired from football after an 11-year career, all spent with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin’s resume is immaculate; missing more than two games in a season just twice in his career, he was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams each of the other nine campaigns. He entered the league a dominant force of nature as soon as he was drafted from Notre Dame and converted from tackle to guard.

When Martin joined the Cowboys in 2014, he was the final piece of the puzzle. Dallas’ front office had see enough. Franchise quarterback Tony Romo was being asked to do too much, and the club wasn’t protecting him at levels that allowed the veteran quarterback to perform at his best.

In Jason Garrett’s first full season as head coach, the offensive line finally became a priority for the organization. Dallas drafted USC cyborg Tyron Smith that season, moving him from right tackle to left tackle the following year. After confirming they had their franchise left tackle, Dallas then drafted Wisconsin’s Travis Frederick in 2013’s first round, followed by Martin the next year.

For several years, the Cowboys boasted one of the most impressive offensive lines in the league. All-Pros and Pro Bowls rained down as Dallas had a core position group that was supposed to lead to championships. But those aren’t promised and good things don’t last forever.

Soonafter the second iteration of the Great Wall of Dallas hit their groove, Romo’s body began to break down. Somehow Dallas lucked into a second-consecutive franchise QB in Dak Prescott, but that joy didn’t last long either.

A unique medical condition robbed Frederick of his prime years and eventually his career, and Smith began suffering a consistent stream of injuries year after year.

Frederick missed all of 2018 with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an auto-immune disease. Smith, who missed three whole games and parts of several others every season from 2016 through 2019, started experiencing major issues in 2020.

With Frederick retired, Smith played just two games that season (only 30 over four years), the first campaign where Martin was the last man standing.

Unfazed, Martin continued to play with sheer excellence, year after year, consistently protecting his quarterback and making running lanes for backs.

Even when he wasn’t his usual best, in 2023, he was still the best in the league, earning his seventh First-Team All-Pro and ninth overall. But Martin knew the end was nearing. He had publicly floated the possibility of retirement earlier that summer, holding out until the final two seasons of his contract were guaranteed.

Dallas had released Smith that prior spring, leaving Martin as the elder statesman of the offensive line. Taking direction from a new OL coach in Mike Solari, the time Martin missed and the new system, along with age, allowed flaws in the armor to start to appear.

In 2024, Martin wasn’t the same and he struggled long before the myriad of injuries took their toll. After 10 games, he had enough and was placed on injured reserve.

Now, facing free agency, he’s decided his body has had enough, hanging up his cleats.

And with his retirement, he adds his name to a ridiculously long list of star Cowboys who have now seen their career come to an end without Dallas ever hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

Martin, Smith and Frederick. Romo. Prescott. Jason Witten. Dez Bryant. DeMarcus Ware. Flozell Adams. Miles Austin. DeMarco Murray. Ezekiel Elliott. Dexter Coakley. Dat Nguyen. Sean Lee. LaRoi Glover. Jay Ratliff. Terrell Owens. The talent that has flowed through the various headquarter buildings since the end of the Triplets era has been immense.

And they’ve all left Dallas without winning a championship.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/cowboys-zack-martin-retirement-wasted-talent/
 
40+ photos of Zack Martin looking somewhat, kind of, sort of happy doing football things

Trying to get an offensive lineman to smile is often an exercise in futility. The job is hard and thankless as there’s no other position in football where a player is required to be close to perfect at all times. It’s often said that if a defensive pass rusher got a sack every game of his career, he’d be on his way to the Hall of Fame, but if an offensive lineman gave up a sack every game, he’d be on the bench before the first season ended.

Working in the trenches, wrestling bears for three hours every week is not a happy experience. It requires a dominating, aggressive, not-so-friendly demeanor play in, play out just to be adequate. Zack Martin was way more than adequate across his career. He was the gold standard, which required even more focus than most others could summon.

Martin was a rare breed. Playing all 11 of his seasons in a Dallas Cowboys uniform, he was literally as close to perfect as a lineman has been in some time. It’s not often that linemen are in consideration to be first-ballot Hall of Famers, but Martin is worthy of such prestige.

To play at that level, smiling is not something that would be a staple of a player, And being that offensive linemen are rarely the subject of a photographer’s lens, catching them in moments of joy is a lot more rare than say a running back or wide receiver, so it’s a fun exercise to go through the photo captures of Martin’s 11-year career and relive some of those joyous moment.

Here’s a collection of pics from his time with Dallas, and from his collegiate days in Notre Dame, when Martin was clearly in a happy place.

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Stanford v Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: T.J. Jones #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates…
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: T.J. Jones #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates catching the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime against the Standford Cardinal with teammates including Zack Martin #70 at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2012 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Stanford 20-13 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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New Orleans Saints v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touchdown with…
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touchdown with Zack Martin #70 and Travis Frederick #72 against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Houston Texans v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown catch…
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown catch with Ronald Leary #65 of the Dallas Cowboys and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at AT&T Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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Dallas Cowboys v Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Gavin Escobar #89 of the Dallas Cowboys (R) celebrates his touchdown…
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Gavin Escobar #89 of the Dallas Cowboys (R) celebrates his touchdown with Zack Martin #70 during the third quarter a game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is congratulated by Zack…
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is congratulated by Zack Martin #70 and Travis Frederick #72 after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Washington Redskins v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 03: (L-R) Cole Beasley #11 and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas…
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 03: (L-R) Cole Beasley #11 and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his 6 yard…
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his 6 yard touchdown catch with Zack Martin #70 and Travis Frederick #72 against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 15: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys (C) celebrates with Brice…
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 15: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys (C) celebrates with Brice Butler #19 and Zack Martin #70 after scoring a touchdown in the first half during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: La'el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys, Travis Frederick #72 of…
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: La'el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys, Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys, and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate the touchdown by Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: Dez Br ant #88 of the Dallas Cowbo s and Zack…
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: Dez Br ant #88 of the Dallas Cowbo s and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowbo s celebrate a second quarter touchdown against the Green Ba Packers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b Ronald Martinez/Gett Images)
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Dallas Cowboys v Washington Redskins
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with…
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with offensive guard Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate Stops in Dallas to Rev Up Cowboys Fans
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin plays a game with a young fan during the…
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin plays a game with a young fan during the Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate stop for Dallas Cowboys fans on November 4, 2017 in Grapevine, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Ford Motor Company)
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Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate Stops in Dallas to Rev Up Cowboys Fans
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin poses for a photo with fans during the Built…
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin poses for a photo with fans during the Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate stop for Dallas Cowboys fans on November 4, 2017 in Grapevine, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Ford Motor Company)
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Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate Stops in Dallas to Rev Up Cowboys Fans
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin poses for a photo during the Built Ford Tough…
GRAPEVINE, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Zack Martin poses for a photo during the Built Ford Tough Toughest Tailgate stop for Dallas Cowboys fans on November 4, 2017 in Grapevine, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Ford Motor Company)
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/gallery/cowboys-zack-martin-happy-photo-collection-notre-dame/
 
Early Extension? ESPN advises Cowboys make $94.5 million move

The Dallas Cowboys are locked in with cornerback Trevon Diggs, but things haven’t exactly worked out for the best. The former second-round pick out of the University of Alabama set the world on fire in his first three years of the league, recording the most interceptions in a season in 30 years with 11 in 2021. His work was rewarded with him signing a five-year extension ahead of the 2023 season that secured with function guarantees through the 2025 season and a deal that doesn’t run out until 2029.

But Diggs has hardly seen the field since that contract was signed, missing all but two games in 2023 and missing six in 2024. Along that timeline, the Cowboys discovered a Day 3 cornerback pick who was just as tremendous in Fresno State’s DaRon Bland.

Bland followed up Diggs’ phenomenal success by securing nine interceptions in 2023, returning an NFL record five of them for scores. Together they’ve combined for three Pro Bowls and two First-Team All-Pro nods in their combined eight years of service; an impressive start for a dynamic duo.

The Cowboys haven’t gotten the bang for the buck out of Diggs’ extension, but should that impact how they approach Bland?

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz took some time to advise each of the NFL’s 32 teams on moves they should make during this offseason, and for Dallas he suggests they extend Bland now instead of waiting until his contract expires after the season.

There may be some questions about extending Bland, who is going into the final year of his rookie contract, after the cornerback missed much of 2024 with injuries. And frankly, he could be a bit overrated after his performance in 2023 because there’s a lot of randomness involved in getting five pick-sixes. Still, Bland is strong in coverage. Even without any interceptions in 2024, he had an above-average coverage DVOA in his seven appearances. Extending Bland would lock down the cornerback spot across from Trevon Diggs and allow Dallas to add roughly $3.3 million in cap space.
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A couple notes. The Cowboys have several ways that they can create additional cap space this offseason, so the $3.3 million isn’t a dire need, and that doesn’t seem an accurate projection of the impact of an extension. Bland is set to make $5.2 million this season in base salary and an extension would likely lower his base salary to the league minimum, $1.1 million for a player with three accrued seasons.

But a new deal for Bland would come with a signing bonus, and that would have to be a relatively small one to see that kind of savings. It would need to be $4 million across a five-year deal to shave $3.3 million off his cap number.

More than likely Bland’s bonus would be bigger and the savings much less.

Spotrac sees Bland’s market value as being a $23.7 million a year player, and suggests a four-year contract extension totaling $94.5 million in new money.

A signing bonus of at least $20 million would be in play, meaning that Bland’s 2025 cap hit would go up, not down. Even if Spotrac is over-estimating Bland’s value by a large number, the likelihood an extension results in cap savings this year is unlikely.

The real question is whether or not Dallas should commit to Bland for the long term.

His work as a fill-in nickel corner in his rookie season was quite impressive, and he followed that up with a record-setting season on the boundary in Year 2. An injury late in training camp in Year 3 put him behind the proverbial 8-ball, but there’s no reason to think that downturn should extend into this year or beyond.

It makes a ton of sense for the Cowboys to extend Bland now, especially considering they might need to leverage a franchise tag scenario with Micah Parsons next offseason.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/21/cowboys-daron-bland-potential-extension-espn/
 
Salary Cap Explainer: How Zack Martin's retirement impacts Cowboys' 2025 space

The Dallas Cowboys are saying goodbye to a legend, as nine-time All-Pro (seven First-Team nods) Zack Martin has decided to hang up his cleats. Dallas has known this was a possibility since the summer before the 2023 season, when Martin publicly contemplated ending his career while holding out for a restructured contract.

He received it, guaranteeing the final two seasons (2023, 2024) on his then-current deal, giving him a $5.8 million signing bonus and adding a couple clauses and void years to help the Cowboys manage the cap implications.

So how does all of that work now?

Dallas will designate Martin’s retirement as a post-June 1 move, allowing them to spread out the significant amount of dead money over two seasons.

Martin’s deal included a league-minimum (for a veteran of his tenure) voidable base salary of $1.255 million. That amount will stay on the books until June 2, along with his bonus prorations from signing bonuses and restructures from years past.

When a team gives a player a signing, restructure, or option bonus, it’s paid up front but hits the cap in equal installments over the course of (up to) five seasons, which is why void years are added to deals. They allow teams to push off the salary cap impact into the future. In the future, those cap hits take up a lower percentage of that year’s salary cap.

A June 1 designation allows a team to only incur that current year’s proration onto the cap, which for Martin is $9.4 million. So for now, nothing changes on the Cowboys’ cap; Martin is still accounting for $10.655 million of cap space in 2025.

After June 2, the base salary is voided and his 2025 cap hit is reduced to $9.4 million; the amount of the proration for money that had already been paid to him.

The Cowboys won’t be out of the woods yet, though.

As the Cowboys didn’t absorb any of the unamortized bonus amounts that were sitting on the 2026, 2027, 2028 void years on this season’s cap, that will all come due in 2026. Once a player is no longer on a team, those prorated charges accelerate to the current fiscal year.

As a post-June 1 cut, that fiscal year is the 2026 cap.

With amounts of $9.4 million, $4.41 million and $3.25 million remaining on those seasons all coming together, Dallas will have $17.06 million in dead money on their 2026 cap.

Again, this isn’t money Dallas is going to have to pay anyone; they’ve already paid it. It just didn’t hit the salary cap when the Cowboys actually paid the player.

That $17.06 million would’ve been a higher percentage of their cap space in the years it was paid out (2019 through 2023) then it will in 2026, because the 2026 cap is much higher than it was in those seasons. It’s an accounting trick similar to having a credit card with no interest rate but an annually rising maximum.
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Source: https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/21/zack-martin-retirement-salary-cap-impact/
 
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