Journalists Detail Jerry Jones’ Close Calls as Cowboys Miss Multiple Pass Rushers in Free Agency

Jerry Jones' Dallas Cowboys are a few pieces away from being capable of hunting for their first Super Bowl in more than three decades.

Journalists Detail Jerry Jones’ Close Calls as Cowboys Miss Multiple Pass Rushers in Free Agency

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been active in free agency (Image via Imago)

In Short
  • Jerry Jones missed out on three key pass rushers during free agency, including Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.
  • He successfully traded for pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
  • Jones also signed safety Jalen Thompson from the Cardinals, marking a productive offseason for the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones knew he had to get many of his moves right if his vision for his team was to come true with them hoisting a Super Bowl trophy or two in the immediate future.

The 83-year-old was ridiculed for his ‘all in’ comments from a couple of offseasons ago. But now, that narrative has been changing ever since his so-called ‘vision’ has been taking shape.

He did not mind receiving backlash after trading Micah Parsons in September last year, but probably knew that his plan would eventually bear fruit.

Even then, there are things that may not work according to what he believed would happen. For instance, he did not anticipate that his team would need pass rushers this badly, despite creating what could be the best defensive tackle combination in the league.

Thankfully, this offseason, the owner-cum-GM had quite a few options at his disposal on how he would tackle that glaring deficit. Before free agency opened, he almost nabbed Maxx Crosby from the Raiders.

Dallas was actually very competitive in the Nakobe Dean market… I’m told their offer was similar to the Raiders, but ultimately he went with his gut feeling… At least tells you Dallas is trying.

Jane Slater revealed on X

The longtime insider’s revelation indicates that Jerry Jones was active in the offseason, speaking to Nakobe Dean, a 25-year-old pass rusher, who helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. It’s just that the Georgia Bulldogs ‘gut’ led him to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jerry Jones lost out on another young pass rusher

These instances indicate that Jerry Jones missed out on a chance to land two pass rushers in a span of two days. However, there was more, as Todd Archer revealed.

Jerry Jones chased three pass rushers
Jerry Jones chased three pass rushers (Image via Underdog NFL/X)

Cowboys were in the mix for Quay Walker, who ended up joining the Raiders, per sources. Told Walker had a Zoom with Cowboys earlier in the day. He was higher on their list than Nakobe Dean. Search for LB continues.

Todd Archer wrote

This means the energy magnate missed out on three pass rushers in total. Missing out on one 2021 CFP national championship-winning Georgia Bulldog in Nakobe Dean is one thing.

Then, to miss out on Quay Walker, who played opposite Dean in that college football championship-winning team, was another blow. It might also irk Cowboys fans that the 25-year-old also joined the Raiders.

Now that is three impactful sack artists lost with ties to Tom Brady‘s franchise. As frustrating as it can be, at least Jerry Jones is trying, and unlike how they threw barbs at him in the past, journalists and fans are appreciating him for it.

Jerry Jones goes back to Green Bay for another trade

Just like the Las Vegas Raiders, Jerry Jones also has multiple connections with the Green Bay Packers. However, unlike the former, the latter franchise has been a source of relief rather than a frustration.

The last time the Cowboys supremo engaged with the Packers, he sent Micah Parsons for a handful of draft picks. Then, last year, after cutting Trevon Diggs, the cornerback decided to follow his close friend to Wisconsin.

Jones went back on the phone with the community-owned franchise and traded for pass rusher Rashan Gary in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

The 28-year-old pass rusher might not have the superstar tag like a Maxx Crosby or a Trey Hendrickson, but many believe this was a move designed around what new defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants.

Therefore, over the past three days, Jerry Jones managed to bring in one capable pass rusher, then signed Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, and garnered two compensatory fifth-round picks, all while still having his two first-round picks intact.

It seems the billionaire is about to have his best offseason in the past decade quietly. If this can culminate in at least a run to Super Bowl LXI or even the NFC Championship game, he will have silenced his doubters.

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