For as much hate as they get, Cowboys have had great offseason

NFC East, NFL Free Agency: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys poses for a photo with Trevon Diggs #7 and Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
NFC East, NFL Free Agency: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys poses for a photo with Trevon Diggs #7 and Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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Despite the assumed dysfunction and largely being a hated team, the Dallas Cowboys have had an excellent 2023 offseason and are on the uptick.

I don’t care whether or not the Dallas Cowboys win or lose in 2023, but what I do know is that they have done quite well for themselves this offseason.

Dallas Cowboys have done well for themselves this offseason

External additions 

  • WR Brandin Cooks
  • CB Stephon Gilmore
  • RB Ronald Jones

Man, I love these additions.  In Cooks, you’re getting a true speed threat, something that the Cowboys have needed for a while now.  With almost 9,000 receiving yards in nine seasons, Cooks has been the epitome of consistency for his entire career and is going to play well in Dallas.

Stephon Gilmore won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2019 and is still an effective cornerback, forming a nice duo with Trevon Diggs.  They also only gave up two fifth-round picks and one sixth-round pick for both players, virtually nothing for quality veterans.

Ronald Jones isn’t great or anything, but he’s a nice backup for Pollard, who should get the bulk of carries in 2023.  Jones will be a solid piece for them, likely getting somewhere around 5-8 carries per game.

Re-signings

  • QB Cooper Rush
  • RB Tony Pollard
  • EDGE Dante Fowler Jr
  • DL Jonathan Hankins
  • LB Leighton Vander Esch
  • S Donovan Wilson
  • *They also agreed on a re-worked deal to keep Tyron Smith in Dallas

How could you not be impressed by these moves?  They were able to keep perhaps the best backup QB in the NFL.  They also retained Tony Pollard, who could lead the league in rushing this year, for at least another season.

And their ability to keep a strong core of defensive players around for Dan Quinn was a genius move.  They’ll feature one of the top defenses in 2023, and being able to keep as many guys as possible from year to year is one of the best ways to build and keep a stout unit.

To all of the Cowboys’ haters, let’s put the bias aside for a second and acknowledge the great work they have done this offseason in keeping their guys around and bringing in efficient veterans.