DALLAS — There aren’t many NFL observers who believe that the Dallas Cowboys have had a good offseason thus far. If a poll were created for Cowboys fans, it’s a good bet that the majority would think even less of what the organization has accomplished since the season ended.
After three straight 12-win seasons, but a disappointing lack of postseason success, management has responded by losing five starters, allowing multiple role players to sign elsewhere, and have added just one meaningful free agent. The Cowboys have also failed to make any progress on long-term deals with their three big priority superstars, with quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons still awaiting contract extensions.
It’s impossible to spin what the team has done since the offseason has begun in any way that is positive. Simply put, the Cowboys look worse on paper. That’s a problem that is compounded by the fact that the rest of the division has been making moves to get better for the upcoming season.
Head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t seem to be concerned just yet, acknowledging that it’s early in the process.
No one connected with the team seems to be worried, but it feels like they should be. The rest of the NFC East have all been aggressive in adding talent, while the Cowboys have basically stood pat or even lost talent overall. Dallas won the division in 2023, but the gap looks like it’s closing between them and their rivals.
Here’s a look at how the three other NFC East teams have improved while Jerry and Stephen Jones have sat on their hands in the most critical time for improving the roster.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles had one of the biggest collapses in NFL history when they blew a big lead to hand the division to the Cowboys during the 2023 campaign. Their response was to make some changes to the coaching staff and add quality players in free agency.
It started when they fired the offensive and defensive coordinators and replaced them with Vic Fangio on the defensive side, and former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on offense. Then Dallas’ current most hated rival signed some of the best options available.
The Eagles landed perhaps the best running back, cornerback, and pass rusher in free agency. Adding former New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley was a move that not only hurt a rival but improved the position for the next three years. Barkley is better than last year’s starter D’Andre Swift and the new RB should make life difficult on defenses who now have to key in on quarterback Jalen Hurts and Barkley in the running game.
Their defense also gets a boost from signing edge rusher Bryce Huff, who had 10 sacks last year, and by reuniting with cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Philadelphia signed other free agents to supplement these three and look like a better team, even without center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who both retired. The Cowboys and Eagles have swapped division titles in seven of the last eight seasons and Philadelphia looks like a prime candidate to take the NFC East away from Dallas in 2024.
New York Giants
It had to be tough for the team to watch Barkley sign with the Eagles, but the Giants rebounded nicely when they signed two quality offensive linemen who are expected to start and added running back Devin Singletary. The offensive line has long been an issue for the Giants, but they have now revamped the unit which will make whoever lines up in the backfield more productive.
Signing guard Jon Runyan and the versatile lineman Jermaine Eluemunor will also help keep quarterback Daniel Jones upright more. However, their biggest move was to trade with the Carolina Panthers for pass rusher Brian Burns.
Burns has been one of the best pass rushers in the league since entering as a first-round pick in 2019. As a two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, Burns has 46 career sacks, with at least 7.5 in every season. The Giants were missing an elite pass rusher to pair with Dexter Lawrence on the inside and now they have it with Burns.
The Giants also added a few more role players to bolster their depth, and they have the look of a team that can rebound and compete for a playoff spot, and possibly a division crown in 2024.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have been very busy in free agency, and former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn has raided his former team. Dallas’ losses have been Washington’s gains as the Commanders have signed three former Cowboys.
Pass rushers Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler flew north to play for Quinn, and they were joined by Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz on the offensive side of the ball.
But there’s also been plenty more additions for the Commanders in addition to former Cowboys. The team also signed touchdown machine and all-around stud running back Austin Ekeler, All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, and another rising star in LB Frankie Luvu.
It has been a great offseason for the Commanders during free agency, but they’ve had stellar offseasons before, only to have it blow up in their faces. Regardless of how their 2024 campaign shakes out, they are undoubtedly better than they were from last season.
By lying dormant and sticking to their peculiar offseason plan of being observers in free agency, the Cowboys are unquestionably worse off. Meanwhile, the three other NFC East teams are better now than they were when the 2023 season finished.
Dallas has fallen behind their divisional foes this offseason in terms of adding talent, but it remains to be seen if that translates into regular season success for their rivals. It’s also important to note there are still a few months left for the Cowboys to improve and the NFL Draft is also right around the corner to be a potential difference maker.
However, as it looks right now, the Commanders, Eagles, and Giants are all in a much better position to dethrone the Cowboys. Another year without a repeat champion in the NFC East could easily be on the horizon.
Do you think the Cowboys will overcome a slow start to their offseason? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
