NFL Executives Sound Off on 'Disappointing' Cowboys Free Agency Haul

The Dallas Cowboys entered the NFL offseason with one goal in mind: improve on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas' defense cost the team several games in the disappointing 2025 team, which ended with the team stumbling to a 7-10 record and missing the postseason for a second consecutive year.

Immediately after the season ended, the team ousted Matt Eberflus and hired new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to revamp and rebuild the unit.

Before free agency kicked off, the Cowboys agreed to trade for Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Then, the team started making some free agency signings with a focus on the secondary.

The Cowboys signed key playesr like safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant, and safety P.J. Locke, before shifting to the trenches to sign veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard. While the moves undeniably improved the defense and team overall, there are some who aren't as impressed with the moves.

The Athletic surveyed a group of NFL executives who gave their unfiltered thoughts on every team's moves, with Dallas leaving more questions than answers.

Dallas Cowboys co-owners Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones on the field during pregame warmups against the Los Angeles Chargers | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

“Dallas is one of those spin-your-wheels type teams that never really gets a lot better,” an exec said.

Ouch, but after years of stagnation and a 30-year championship drought, it's understandable to have that take. Dallas has shown flashes of brilliance, but quickly reverts back to mediocrity. The Rashan Gary was meant to provide a spark, but giving up a fourth-round pick for a player who was expected to get cut had some scratching their heads.

“I was a little disappointed with Dallas,” another exec added. “They got Rashan Gary, who Green Bay was not fired up about. They were not necessarily going to bring him back.”

Then, there is the George Pickens contract saga, which is a reason for concern. The Cowboys hope Pickens will play on the franchise tag, but there is no guarantee that he will, and there's no long-term deal in sight. The last player to get an extension before signing his franchise tender was Terrell Owens in 2015.

Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“What are they going to do with Pickens?” another exec asked. “Are you going to have two receivers making (at least $34 million, CeeDee Lamb’s APY), plus the quarterback (Dak Prescott) making $60 million?”

Of course, we won't know how the the offseason moves off until the team takes the field and the games are played. Let's hope that the team can prove all of the doubters wrong.

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