If Jerry Jones had a motto, it might be something like, ‘Old habits die hard… if they die at all.’ Because once again, Cowboys fans are watching free agency unfold like a rerun of a show they never liked to begin with. Despite clearing a cool $56.6 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, Jones has made it clear—Dallas isn’t exactly sprinting toward the open market. “I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids,” Jones said on March 5, via ESPN.

Instead, the Cowboys are sticking to their signature playbook: talking up their own guys, hyping up draft picks, and somehow convincing themselves that they don’t need reinforcements. Sound familiar? Cowboys fans know this story all too well. When Jones says, “all-in,” he doesn’t mean making splashy moves to put the team over the top. Last year, the Cowboys watched several free agents walk, including running back Tony Pollard, left tackle Tyron Smith, center Tyler Biadasz and defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. This season, Jones plans to play it on a case-by-case basis.

“As opportunity would come up from [outside], not the draft, not from within, as the opportunity comes up, we’ll weigh it,” the Dallas owner said. “Last year, we would have waited, but we’ll look and see the opportunity to improve on the plan that basically both defense and offense is to complement what we’re wanting to do with a Dak-led team.” While all this is going on, one wide receiver is ready to hit free agency, albeit keeping his options of returning to Dallas open.

Brandin Cooks just confirmed to Emmy award-winner NFL insider Josina Anderson what many already suspected—his time in Dallas might be over. “I’m expecting a good free agency since this is the first time that I would be a free agent in my career, but I’m also open to returning to Dallas,” Cooks said.

He added that he’d love to play with the Cowboys again, but only if they use him properly. “I have a good relationship with Dak (Prescott), the Jones family and Cee Dee (Lamb), it’s just one of those things where they have to focus on what they have to get done first too. I would love to play with the Cowboys, at the same time they would have to use me right. I don’t think they fully used me to my strengths,” he added.

Cooks missed seven games last season due to a knee injury before returning week 12 and is fully healthy now—something he’s making sure everyone knows ahead of free agency. “I am fully healthy and have nothing to hide. If a quarterback wants to go throw somewhere, I could get on a plane and catch for him right now,” he said.

This whole situation is classic Cowboys. Remember, they traded a sixth-round pick to snag Cooks in 2023, and he played a key role in their 12-win season. But as much as Dallas fans might want him back, history suggests they shouldn’t hold their breath. The team’s track record with free-agent receivers? Let’s just say it’s more ‘ghosting’ than ‘pursuing’.

And then there’s the flying thing. Oh yeah, in case you forgot, Jerry Jones had some serious reservations about Cooks’ off-the-field hobby—flying planes. “Part-time pilots, in my mind, are not the way to go,” Jones said back in June 2024 after watching a video of Cooks taking Micah Parsons and Stephon Gilmore up in the air. At this point, it seems like Cooks and the Cowboys are headed for a mutual parting of ways. He wants a team that will maximize his skill set.

“I just think when you look at Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, or Ben Johnson, there’s a lot of motion in those offenses. I don’t like to be stagnant out there and teams are getting away from that. Whether I’m out wide and motion in towards the slot, or vice versa, I work well from that. I think Schotty (new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer) has got some flavor and will put his touches on the offense now too,” Cooks said. Dallas? Well, they’re busy convincing themselves that their draft picks (only 3) and internal options will be enough. But amid everything, looks like Jerry Jones just made some nice moves.

Top Comment by agomez

He needs to sell the team

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Jerry Jones might have helped the Cowboys with contract restructuring

If you’ve followed Jerry Jones long enough, you know he’s got a knack for making money moves. And this time, he might’ve actually done the Cowboys a solid. Shocked? Yeah, we were too. By restructuring key contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, Dallas freed up $20 million in cap space for 2025—and that’s just the start.

The timing? Impeccable. The Cowboys just locked in Osa Odighizuwa with a big extension and have Micah Parsons’ mega-deal looming—possibly in the $40 million per year range. Freeing up cap space now gives Dallas some breathing room before the NFL Draft and free agency kick into high gear. It also helps justify last year’s $136 million extension for CeeDee Lamb, who just wrapped up his fourth straight 1,100-yard season.

Then there’s Dak Prescott’s contract. And, well… it’s a sight to behold. His 2025 cap hit? $52.9 million. By 2028, that number balloons to $80.8 million before a void year in 2029. Yeah, you read that right. Restructuring was necessary, even if the dead cap figures make your head spin. But the real question? How does this newfound cap space actually help the Cowboys now?

Turns out, it might just pave the way for a Dre Greenlaw reunion tour. With $45.2 million now available, Dallas could finally address its defensive weaknesses. Greenlaw, when healthy, is a tackle machine, racking up back-to-back 120-tackle seasons before his Achilles injury. If he bounces back, he’d be a massive upgrade for a defense in desperate need of reinforcements.

So, Jerry Jones finally did something right with the cap. But here’s the kicker—the key to Dallas’ next big move might just come from a rival. Greenlaw, a 49ers linebacker, could be exactly what the Cowboys need. And that’s an irony in red and gold shining above the Big D.