Looks like tacos are off the menu at the Star in Frisco.  The Dallas Cowboys officially released defensive end Taco Charlton today after failing to find a trade partner.

Now some will say that I am not being a serious writer with the taco pun I wrote, but nothing about the 2017 first-round defensive talent was really serious.

The player even got a deal with Taco Bueno shortly after being drafted and fans mocked or celebrated his nickname.  Yet, the player really never showed he was worthy of being a first-round pick.

Even on draft night, fans who paid close attention knew that Charlton was really not a good fit in Dallas or worthy of a first-round selection.  He was an OK player but also had nothing special about him. Nothing on his film or his combine numbers told you that this guy was going to be an impact player.

That is what you need out of your first-rounder.  Fans and media alike were hoping that the Cowboys would take a chance on outside linebacker T.J. Watt, the younger brother of superstar defensive end J.J. Watt. The younger Watt didn’t fit what the coaches wanted but he had undeniable talent and many thought with some coaching, Watt would have been an excellent pick.  Instead, they went for Taco because they needed a pass rusher and he fit their mold.

Two years later the Cowboys are releasing the young player after an off-season where both sides seemed to want to end this relationship. Charlton flashed in the preseason, but after two healthy scratches to start the year, Taco went to twitter asking to be freed.  The Cowboys tried to look for a trade partner but had no offers and had to ultimately release him.

Taco simply was a bust. He had just four sacks, a forced fumble and just 46 combines tackles in his two-year stint. Just put on the tape and you can see why the man was simply just underwhelming.

So who’s to blame here?

You could argue that the majority of the blame should be at the front office.  They simply just whiffed on this prospect. Cowboys scouts and even the coaches forced the hand that they really needed a pass rusher, which meant they had to take a guy like Taco.

They veered off their draft philosophy which helped them be so successful in other years. Instead, they settled for a sub-par player who entered the league with high expectations he was never going to meet.

On the other hand, you could blame Taco for his role in this divorce.  Taco never had the attitude to get better or listen to others for advice.  He famously declined help from former Cowboys great Charles Haley. Even Taco admitted in an exclusive interview with Mike Fisher, that he wasn’t liked by the coaches.

Charlton didn’t make the situation easier by bringing low effort and lack of plays during his short time here on the team. He also didn’t handle being benched this year and took it too social media, which never is a good thing in the NFL.

In the end, he got what he wanted and was set free, trying to continue his NFL playing career.  The Cowboys got what they wanted and got rid of a potential distraction in the locker room.

So if you’re a fan and are worried this is the sign of things come, don’t you worry. The team still drafts well every year and still has a good record on hitting in the draft. As long as they stay true to the board and their philosophy, they will avoid future Taco Charltons.