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Dallas Cowboys: 5 Players who should have never gotten away

ByRandy Gurzi|
31 Aug 1997: Wide receiver Jimmy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens moves the ball during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Jaguars won the game, 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
31 Aug 1997: Wide receiver Jimmy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens moves the ball during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Jaguars won the game, 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints encourages his team before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints encourages his team before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys have had their share of big names over the years but there have also been some who left, but never should have been allowed to

With the Dallas Cowboys currently dealing with a litany of players coming up on the end of their contracts, there will surely be some players who they want to keep but won’t be able to. Such is life in the NFL as the business side of things often causes sides to split even if that’s not what either party desires.

Throughout the years, Dallas — as well as every other NFL franchise — has had to make these tough decisions. Sometimes it works in their favor and sometimes it doesn’t.

An example of things working out for the Cowboys was when they decided to let running back DeMarco Murray leave in free agency. It’s true they weren’t the same in 2015 without him and ended up drafting Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 the following season, but Murray also didn’t live up to the contract he was given in free agency.

As for the times it didn’t work out, we have you covered there as we look at the five players Dallas should have never let go.

Toughest Omissions

Sean Payton, Offensive Coordinator

While he wasn’t a player, the Cowboys made a huge gaffe back in 2006 when they allowed offensive coordinator Sean Payton to leave. Payton was a hot young coaching candidate who interviewed for a couple of jobs the season prior but ended up staying in Dallas to work under Bill Parcells.

Then following the 2005 season, ‘The Big Tuna’ started to openly discuss retirement, which was expected considering he was in his mid-60s. But Dallas wanted him to stay and in doing so, they allowed a 43-year old Payton to sign with the Saints.

Since then, Payton has gone on to win 118 games and a Super Bowl ring. The Cowboys are still looking to get back to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Andrew Sendejo, Safety

While Andrew Sendejo may not be a Pro Bowl player, he was a good starting safety for the Minnesota Vikings from 2013-18 (although he missed 11 games last season). During that same span, the Cowboys simply couldn’t find a starter at the position. Keeping the undrafted free agent they signed back in 2010 would have alleviated a lot of stress.

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