Monday is a busy day around the NFL, as it marks the start of the 2025 free agency tampering period. All 32 franchises are allowed to negotiate with outside free agents as of noon ET, and it didn't take long for the deals to start rolling in as general managers threw caution (and boatloads of money to the mind).
Unfortunately, one of the league's first free agent signings is terrible news for the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys Free Agency: Jaguars Sign CB Jourdan Lewis
NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing now-former Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Although the deal's full details are unknown, Rapoport did indicate that the deal will make Lewis the "NFL’s highest-paid nickel CB."
There's no doubt that losing Lewis is a major blow for the Cowboys. He was one of the team's top free agents this offseason, and fans were clamoring for him to be re-signed. It doesn't help that the veteran CB's departure comes less than a week after owner/general manager Jerry Jones hinted at being "less aggressive" in free agency to prioritize the draft and re-signing his own players.
Drafted 92nd overall by the Cowboys in 2017, Lewis was coming off an impressive 2024 performance. The former Michigan Wolverine played a career-high 872 defensive snaps last season, resulting in 39 solo tackles, eight defended passes, one sack, and an interception.
By the time the smoke cleared. Pro Football Focus graded Lewis favorably regarding coverage (79.0) and overall defense (71.7).
Replacing a well-rounded ballhawk like Lewis isn't easy, but the Cowboys must find a way to do so this offseason. Veteran CBs Da'Ron Bland and Trevon Diggs are still solid, however, the duo has been marred by injuries lately, as Diggs has only made 13 appearances since the start of 2023, while Bland only suited up for seven outings last year.
Given Jones' reluctance to re-sign Lewis, chances are that the Cowboys will look for his replacement in the NFL draft. Michigan's Will Johnson and Texas Jahdae Barron are two potential CB prospects that Dallas can target with the first round's 12th overall selection.
Losing a fan-favorite player isn't fun, but the Cowboys can't dwell on it forever. How they handle Lewis' departure will impact how the fanbase views the franchise for the remainder of the offseason.