Cowboys 'Don't Define All-in' by NFL Free-Agency Spending, Stephen Jones Says

The Dallas Cowboys made it clear they would be taking an "all-in" approach to the offseason, but the franchise hasn't lived up to that mantra through the opening days of free agency.

Speaking to reporters Thursday while addressing fan frustration, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones made it clear that the team's definition of "all-in" isn't what the fans and media have made it out to be.

"Everybody certainly has that right," Jones said. "I know where the frustration is; it's the fact that we have not had a lot of success in the playoffs to their satisfaction. Until we do that, the criticism is certainly something that's going to be there ... but we are going to stick with what we believe will ultimately get us a championship for our fans. We don't define all-in by what you spend in free agency."

After Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters at the Senior Bowl that Dallas would be "all-in" entering the 2024 campaign, he attempted to clarify those remarks at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, saying, "Your definition of what is 'all-in' and mine might not be the same thing."

He added:

"I will assure that there will be some things done differently because we're going to be working on different players and drafting different people, and so just the very nature of it is different. Different people. You got different coaches."

"But I think the attention that the nuances of where we are with the cap, the nuances of where we are with our position in the draft, the nuances of where we are with our free agents that we get that involved in [is] the definition of 'We're all-in.'"

As of Thursday afternoon, the Cowboys have re-signed long snapper Trent Sieg and signed linebacker Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal in free agency. They were the last team in the NFL to sign a player not on their roster last season when they agreed to terms with Kendricks on Wednesday.

Dallas' NFC East rivals, meanwhile, have made a number of notable moves. The Philadelphia Eagles signed star running back Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants acquired linebacker Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers and the Washington Commanders have signed the likes of linebacker Bobby Wagner, running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Dorance Armstrong.

Stephen Jones doesn't appear to be worried about those early moves made by the team's biggest rivals, though.

"There's a lot to be played out between now and our first game next year," he said. "I don't think you win a Super Bowl championship on the first, second or third day of the league year."

The biggest issue for the Cowboys this offseason is their lack of cap space. According to Spotrac, Dallas has just $2.8 million in cap space available.

Dallas also needs room to sign Dak Prescott to a contract extension as he's due to become a free agent in 2025.

There's still plenty of time for the Cowboys to make a splash, but their options continue to dwindle as players fly off the board.