After further review: Revisiting the Cowboys 5 most controversial offseason moves in recent history
There have been some highly controversial moves made by the Dallas Cowboys in offseasons past. Here is a look back at the top five and what they look like now.
The front office of the Dallas Cowboys is very mindful of the salary cap. They are always looking for ways to save money. Who they keep and who they let go is crucial and the team has made some controversial decisions over the last few years. At first, these moves are heavily criticized. Over time, some start changing their tune. Today, we’ll revisit the five more news-worthy roster moves the Cowboys have made over the last five years.
Trading for Trey Lance
Last offseason the Cowboys shipped their 2024 fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for former 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance. The former North Dakota State star entered the NFL with limited experience and he’s only started four games over his first three years in the league. He never played a single snap last season with the Cowboys. It’s well-known that this 24-year-old quarterback has yet to figure things out at the pro level, but the Cowboys would love to see that light bulb go off while wearing the star. And because we still don’t know the full impact of this move, it’s hard to pass too much judgment.
However, this move makes this list because it’s still puzzling what the Cowboys' intentions are for Lance. Fourth-round draft capital isn’t tossed around lightly, so surely they have plans for him. Is he supposed to be some cost-effective replacement quarterback should the team move on from Dak Prescott? Or is the hope that he serves as a viable backup? Whatever it is, they better figure it out soon as he is in the last year of his rookie deal after they declined his fifth-year option in the spring.
The Randy Gregory contract debacle
Fans were fuming when this ordeal went down. After announcing that the team was re-signing Randy Gregory to a five-year, $70 million deal, much celebration was had. But then later that same day news broke that it was the Denver Broncos signing the edge rusher to a new contract. What in the world happened?
As the story goes, the Cowboys front office had language in his contract that could forfeit his salary should Gregory be fined or suspended for violating the league’s drug or personal conduct policy. Considering his past, the Cowboys wanted to protect themselves, but Gregory would have none of it and immediately signed with the Broncos.
At the time, fans were upset with the front office as their controlling ways cost them a good player, but in hindsight, the Cowboys dodged a bullet. Gregory’s time in Denver was short. He got into a fight and made little impact on the field. Eventually, Sean Payton had seen enough after Gregory only played in 10 games over two seasons with Denver. After leaking that he was about to be released, the 49ers offered the Broncos a late-round draft pick for his services. He was a reserve on the 49ers' defense and even played in three postseason games, recording one tackle in each game. In April, he signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Call it what you want, but this one worked out in the Cowboys' favor.
Releasing La’el Collins
La’el Collins is another player who had some weird stuff happen to him. He got robbed of hearing his name called one Day 1 of the 2015 NFL draft after news circulated that the police wanted to talk to him about the shooting death of a woman who he had been involved with. As a result, Collins went undrafted and signed with the Cowboys. After the team couldn’t figure out where to play him his first two seasons in the league, he finally settled in at right tackle. He spent the next several years serving as a reliable edge protector for the Cowboys offense.
In 2019, the Cowboys signed him to a new five-year, $70 million deal, but the following year, things started to go south for him. In 2020, he got in a car accident and missed the entire season with a hip injury. In 2021, he was suspended five games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and it was reported he attempted to bribe the test collector. When Collins finally returned, he had to fight for his job as another undrafted tackle, Terence Steele, had wally-pipped him.
Collins’ misfortunes became Steele’s opportunities and in the end, the Cowboys went with the younger Steele as their new right tackle. Fans were conflicted about Collins. Some thought he was still the better choice, while others preferred rolling with Steele and saving money. In the end, the Cowboys made the right move.
Re-signing Ezekiel Elliott
Another player, more controversy. After a 4-12 season where the team was without Tony Romo for most of the year, the Cowboys were awarded the fourth-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. It would be their highest draft pick in 25 years dating back to when Russell Maryland was selected first overall in 1991. And how did the Cowboys use it? By taking a running back.
Right out of the gate, there was controversy as many felt that was a misuse of draft capital. Ezekiel Elliott was a star at Ohio State and at first, it seemed like the Cowboys might have been right with their decision. Zeke rushed for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns as a rookie. In his second season, there were problems. The NFL suspended Elliott for violating the personal conduct policy relating to accusations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. Throughout the season, this ordeal was dragged out as it was appealed and reinstated repeatedly until he finally gave up in November.
Elliott never got into any more trouble and averaged over 100 yards per game over his first three seasons, so the Cowboys rewarded him with a six-year, $90 million deal in 2019. However, the deal didn’t come easy as Zeke had to force the front office’s hand by holding out during training camp. Unfortunately, the wear and tear caught up to him as every subsequent year he had a new career low in yards per game. Elliott only made it through two years of his six-year deal and was released last season. After a year with the New England Patriots, Elliott is back with the team on a one-year, $2 million contract.
The Cowboys' handling of Elliott will be forever scrutinized for their early draft selection of him, but also by compounding matters by doubling down on him with an extension. It’s understandable the value he had early in his career, but the longevity of running backs is not good and Zeke wasn’t the outlier they were hoping for.
Trading Amari Cooper
From players who bring drama to one of the most soft-spoken players in the league. The Cowboys were desperate for wide receiver help in 2018, so they took matters into their own hands by trading a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for Amari Cooper. From the onset, Cooper was a godsend. He immediately bolstered the passing game and the Cowboys were so impressed that they rewarded him with a five-year, $100 million deal in 2020.
That same year, the team was gifted CeeDee Lamb when he fell in the draft for no good reason. The duo of Cooper and Lamb played together for two seasons before the team opted to part ways with Cooper and save some money. This move was highly criticized. Cooper was a good player and he remains a good player with Cleveland. At the same time, the Cowboys thought the team would be better if they used the $60 million he was to earn over the next three seasons for other players. Even though this was purely a cap-saving move, the front office was criticized for only getting a fifth-round pick in return.
This one is tough to judge because both sides make good points. Cooper would be a great player for any team and his $20 million annual cost isn’t that expensive in today’s market. At the same time, the Cowboys have some much better players who need to be paid, so the front office is doing everything they can to have the funds to keep the core together. With Lamb as the new alpha, the team felt it could configure a strong receiving group without paying a high cost for their WR2.
After thinking about it, which offseason move was the worst? Which one have you changed your mind about?
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