DALLAS — The NFL's free agency period "begins" with the opening of the legal tampering period, where teams are allowed to start negotiations with the representatives of unrestricted free agents before free agency officially begins, and the official opening of free agency.
Contracts cannot be finalized or signed during the legal tampering period, but deals can be agreed upon and often start getting reported. The legal tampering period opened Monday at noon and free agency frenzy went wild. NFL insiders fired tweets off at a rapid pace Monday afternoon and evening, with many teams announcing numerous moves.
One team, however, that didn't announce any additions and has garnered criticism online for remaining seemingly dormant, were the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys re-signed defensive tackle Carlton Davis on March 6, but have not announced a single free agency addition as of this writing. Dallas has seen numerous players leave the organization and sign with other teams.
Running back Tony Pollard agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans, and the Washington Commanders have agreed to pluck center Tyler Biadasz and defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.
Meanwhile, Dallas' lack of activity in the free agency market has social media criticizing owner Jerry Jones, especially after his comments about "going all in" headed into 2024.
Jon Machota, Dallas Cowboys writer for The Athletic, reshared a video posted from last week in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine where Jones spoke on his "going all in" comments.
"Your definition of what is 'all in' and mine not be the same thing," Jones said. "But I'm trying to win the games this year with my decision."
Rick Gosselin, longtime Cowboys and NFL writer for the Dallas Morning News, gave perspective from the other side, saying that "the first week is when all the stupid money gets spent." Gosselin described Monday's moves as "panic spending."
Dallas announced its first free agency move on Tuesday: long snapper Trent Sieg. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was the first to report Sieg's agreement. Sieg reportedly agreed to a one-year deal, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer.
Here is a list of the Cowboys unrestricted free agents who remain on the market:
- Tyron Smith, OL
- Chuma Edoga, OL
- Rico Dowdle, RB
- Sean McKeon, TE
- Stephon Gilmore, CB
- Jourdan Lewis, CB
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB
- Jayron Kearse, S
- C.J. Goodwin, DB
- Johnathan Hankins, DL
- Neville Gallimore, DL
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