Jerry Jones: Cowboys won't look to 'fill voids' in free agency
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones backed off comments made by CEO Stephen Jones about the clubs "selectively aggressive" approach to free agency.
"I don't think aggressive is the right word," Jones said Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. "I'm not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids."
Jerry Jones' comments contrast statements Stephen made last week suggesting the franchise would take a more proactive approach to free agency.
"Obviously, our goals historically have been to try to fill as many of our musts and needs before the draft so you can pick the best player on your board," Stephen Jones said at the time.
The Cowboys have rewarded some of their homegrown talent instead of looking for solutions elsewhere of late. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb each received lucrative extensions last offseason, and Dallas awarded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa a four-year, $80-million contract before Tuesday's franchise tag deadline.
Prescott and Lamb both agreed to restructure their deals, freeing up nearly $56.6 million in cap space over the past two days, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.
Extension negotiations with Micah Parsons are ongoing - the two-time All-Pro pass-rusher could be in line to become the highest-paid defensive player in 2025, the final year of his rookie deal. But Jerry doesn't believe those talks will diminish the Cowboys' pursuits in free agency, as the team was in a similar position last offseason.
"I don't believe that not signing Dak or not signing Lamb hurt us in free agency last year at all," the executive said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks was one of the few free agents the club signed in 2024.
The Cowboys currently have $54.3 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. The new league year begins on March 12.
Dallas' GM is confident the team will be able to address its issues in the upcoming NFL draft. He said that Dallas' 10 selections in 2025 could be used as "bait" to help improve the roster, but noted he'll let other organizations initiate potential trade talks.