NFL Free Agency: The Dallas Cowboys Have Wised Up

In years past, the Dallas Cowboys probably would have done whatever it took to keep running back DeMarco Murray on the roster. Maybe they would have matched the five-year, $42 million contract he signed Thursday with the Philadelphia Eagles that included $21 million guaranteed. Instead, the Cowboys learned from their 2008 gaffe when they re-signed running back Marion Barber, III to a seven-year, $45 million deal that included $16 million in guaranteed money after one solid season.

It makes your stomach hurt just thinking about it. The team lost a player who, in the past two years, has rushed for over 2,966 yards and 22 touchdowns. Fans might be upset but they should understand that these are the tough decisions that have to be made by any well-run NFL franchise. While Jerry Jones may still be the franchise lead man, much of this type of change should be credited to Cowboys’ executive Stephen Jones.

The handling of the Murray situation gives an indication that the days of poor decision-making and bad football philosophy by a Jerry-Jones-led front office are over. Dallas really liked Murray and would have loved for him to remain with the team. The team offered him $6M a year, but Murray wanted $8M. The running back made $3.5M total in his first four NFL seasons… one can’t blame him for wanting to get paid when he had the chance.

On the other hand, Jones cannot be blamed for not being willing to pay as much as the Eagles. The league’s most consistently successful franchises are those who stick to their guns and do not waiver when it comes to what they’re willing to pay a player with regards to their available salary cap. Had the Cowboys given in to Murray’s contract demands they would not have been able to make their other desired roster moves in 2015 and perhaps even beyond.

The Boys made the sensible move in signing running back Darren McFadden. The deal — for two years and worth up to $5.85M — was very cap-friendly. McFadden (27 years old) has run for 4,247 yards on 1,038 carries and 25 touchdowns in his career. He has also caught 211 passes for 1,769 yards and five touchdowns, but he has struggled with injuries throughout his time in the NFL. Dallas hopes that with McFadden running behind an offensive line that many consider the best in professional football, he will be able to reach his full potential.

Jerry Jones released a written statement this past week explaining the team’s decision to move on from Murray. He was correct when he wrote:

“At the end of the day, this is about finding the best way to collectively fit all of the individual pieces together in terms of talent and dollars under the salary-cap structure that gives you the best chance to have a championship team.”

The Dallas Cowboys finally have the proper philosophy and the proper mind set to do just that.