Three Storylines of the Cowboys Offseason

As we all know, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs. They followed their 13-3 season by going 9-7 in 2017. Stephen Jones has come out and said that the Cowboys probably will not be players in the top of the free agent market. Over the past few seasons the Cowboys have started putting all their resources into the draft and in the lower parts of free agency. So, with that being said let’s take a look at three storylines of the upcoming offseason now that the Super Bowl is behind us.

WILL THE COWBOYS MAKE A RUN AT AN EARL THOMAS TRADE?

After the Cowboys were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks on Christmas Eve, Earl Thomas ran down the Cowboys tunnel to have a quick word with head coach Jason Garrett. During that conversation, Earl was heard saying “if y’all have a chance come get me.” Thomas is in the last year of his contract in 2018 and said at the Pro Bowl that he will not feel comfortable going out there this upcoming season without a contract extension. Thomas is from Texas and grew up a Cowboys fan and his longtime coach in Seattle, Kris Richard is now the defensive backs coach in Dallas.

WILL DEZ BRYANT CONTINUE TO BE A COWBOY?

This is the biggest question being asked in Dallas these days. Dez Bryant is coming off his third straight underwhelming season since signing his 5 year, $70 million deal after the 2014 season. There have been injuries, there have been questions about the way Dez is used and his relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott and there has been talk that he has just lost a step and the days where Dez is a dominant force are over.

Stephen Jones has said publicly that Bryants’ sideline demeanor can be a distraction for both him and the entire team. Jones also commented on the Dak and Dez relationship saying that it’s a work in progress and could improve “if given the opportunity,” leaving the door open for a possible divorce.

WILL DEMARCUS LAWRENCE BE BACK WITH THE COWBOYS?

Demarcus Lawrence finished the 2017 season second in the NFL in sacks with 14.5. This season couldn’t have come at a better time for Lawrence as he enters free agency. The Cowboys have a decision to make. In some ways they have all the control because if they can’t come to a long term agreement they can use the franchise tag on Lawrence, which is a one year guaranteed contract around $17.4 million. Stephen Jones has said that the team would prefer to get a contract done and not to use the tag. After the season, Lawrence said he expects to be back with the team one way or another. “I already know what my situation is. I really don’t care about it because I already know how the Cowboys feel about me and they know how I feel about the organization,” Lawrence said after the season finale.