Much to the satisfaction of fans across the world, the Dallas Cowboys have been very active this offseason. Between re-signing their own, signing free agents, and making trades, the front office has done a lot to replenish their roster. This is a stark contrast to how they behaved last season, which was scrutinized immensely, and even more so because of how the media and fans chose to interpret Jerry Jones’ “all-in” comment (the truth behind Jerry’s all-in comments).

Regardless of what Jones said last year, the team clearly didn’t do enough in the offseason to strengthen the roster. After losing several starters in free agency, we all watched as the team did next to nothing to replenish their losses.

But that’s not happening this year. The team has experienced similar losses, but has made move after move to fill gaps and address many areas of the roster. It is puzzling how they can go from being so quiet to being so active. Not that we’re complaining, but what is up with the two completely different offseasons?

We have some theories, but before we get started, let’s run down the roster moves in each of the last two seasons so we can get a clear picture of what the team has lost and what they have added. Here are the players that have left in free agency over the last two seasons.

Looking at these two lists, the losses are similar. Last year’s lost free agents seemed like a lot at the time, but it only equates to $5 million more if you compare the average annual value of their salaries. There are a handful of key players on both lists, but we can say that there isn’t much difference in what the team had to deal with in terms of their own players walking away in free agency.

The big difference comes from how the front office responded. Putting together that list looks shows the change.

This is where things are noticeably different. They have invested over three times the financial resources in the players this year than a year ago. When you break each element of roster building down, here are the differences.

Re-signing their own

This one is easy. The team retained Osa Odighizuwa this year to the surprise of many. His $20 million annual salary is the difference maker between the two seasons. Without it, this group would almost be the same as all of the other players in this group, from either year, are low-cost depth players.

Outside free agents

The Cowboys essentially doubled what they did a year ago. They only had one player last year who cost at least $3 million (Eric Kendricks). They have four players with that cost this season, with their biggest splurge being the return of Dante Fowler.

Trades

The team was very active in this department this season, adding $10 million to their budget with the acquisitions of these new players. Kenneth Murray is the most expensive of the group, but George Pickens is the most talented player they’ve added.

If you wanted to compare the differences between this year and last, you could simplify it by saying the biggest changes are having players like Odighizuwa, Fowler, and Pickens, all of whom are impact players for this football team.

Now that we understand the differences, what is the explanation for the contrasting offseasons? We suspect that at some point over the next several months, one of the Joneses will throw us a bone and provide some clarity, but for now, we are left speculating. Here are a few theories.

Green with envy

It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles are very aggressive in their roster-building approach. Cowboys’ fans alternate between jealousy and laughing at them, depending on their results. Right now, it’s envy.

We have spent quite a bit explaining how the Eagles have chosen to borrow a ridiculous amount of cap resources from future years by adding so many void years to their players’ contracts. The Eagles already have the most cash allocated to players in each of the next three years, with over $700 million on their books. No other team is close to that.

While the Cowboys’ front office has been more active this year, they aren’t changing their ways and following the Eagles’ approach. They are just doing more of what they do, which still consists of careful spending. There were no big outside free agent purchases, nor did they manipulate contracts by excessively using void years. The Cowboys are still doing Cowboys things, but they’re just doing a little more of it.

A cold glass of reality

Every year, the front office reiterates that they “like their guys” and use it to rationalize their lack of spending in free agency. In their defense, they have had a lot of talent on this roster. But last season, they were exposed, and it left a stain on the front office’s roster-building approach. Granted, they were hit hard with injuries, and we’ll never know how things would have turned out in an alternative universe where “their guys” were on the field playing. Regardless, the front office cut corners, and when their depth was challenged, they were sitting ducks.

The front office appears to be trying to mitigate this issue by being more active this offseason. Maybe they are owning their mistake and learning from their decisions (or lack thereof) from a year ago?

Stocking the fridge for the new coaching staff

Some believe the front office did Mike McCarthy a disservice by not adding more talent last season. If they felt they had the talent, then the real issue holding them back was coaching, and having the coaches do their jobs better was the only way for this team to take the next step. The team must’ve gotten the answer they were looking for because McCarthy wasn’t retained.

When McCarthy first took over as head coach in 2020, the Cowboys spent over $30 million on outside free agents for players like Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Andy Dalton, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Everson Griffen, Greg Zuerlein, and Cam Erving. That’s almost 50% more than they spent on outside free agents this offseason and doesn’t even factor in inflation from being five years later.

Like they did with McCarthy, they want their new head coach to have a fighting chance. The coaching change transition is already going to come with enough challenges, and having a shortage of talent will add to that struggle.

Do you have any theories? “The front office is inept” is a fan favorite, but did they suddenly wise up this offseason? Let us know your reasoning in the comments.