Dallas Cowboys fans are hungry for a Super Bowl. The championship drought is now nearing 30 years following a disappointing exit in the 2023-24 NFL Wild Card Round, leaving time to tell what the Cowboys will do this offseason to get one step closer to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy again.
While fans are eager to see if Jerry Jones truly goes "all in" in free agency, management can't forget about their pending free agents. After all, 14 Dallas players are slated to hit free agency this offseason, per Spotrac, with some of them being major names.
Here are three Cowboys that Dallas can't let hit free agency.
Cowboys Can't Let CB Stephon Gilmore Hit Free Agency
The Cowboys were a top-five team against the pass in 2023 and Stephon Gilmore played a huge role in that success.
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year appeared in all 17 games, finishing with 54 solo tackles, 13 defended passes (his most since 2019), two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He only allowed a 55.8% completion rate and 82.7 passer rating on 95 targets, too. When the dust settled, Gilmore finished the year as Pro Football Focus' No. 35 cornerback with an overall defensive grade of 71.2.
The Cowboys' season looked to be in trouble when Trevon Diggs suffered his season-ending ACL tear. Fortunately, they had Gilmore and first-time All-Pro CB DaRon Bland to hold down the fort. Diggs and Bland will be a formidable duo for opposing quarterbacks next season, but I (and many Dallas fans) would love to see what the trio could do together throughout a 17-game schedule.
Spotrac projects Gilmore's market value at $11.1 million annually, which is pricey for a team that's currently $14.2 million over the cap. Nevertheless, some restructuring and/or trades could help free up enough space to re-sign the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
Who knows? Maybe he'll take a team-friendly discount if he's confident that the Cowboys can win the Super Bowl in 2025.
Cowboys Can't Let LT Tyron Smith Hit Free Agency
It's hard to imagine the Cowboys' offensive line without Tyron Smith providing protection. After all, the eight-time Pro Bowl blocker has been a starter for Dallas ever since he was drafted ninth overall in 2011, playing 161 games during that stretch.
Having said that, Smith's future in the Lone Star State is up in the air. He's slated to hit free agency next month and while a good portion of the fanbase wants him back, he turns 34 in December and just registered his eighth consecutive season playing 13 or fewer games. It wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys aren't willing to pay him the big bucks to remain in town.
But even if Smith asks for a lot of money, chances are that he's worth every penny. The ex-USC Trojan finished the 2023 campaign as PFF's No. 4-graded tackle overall (83.7) and the top-rated pass blocker (89.3). It was also the fifth time in the last six seasons that he allowed one or fewer sacks.
I understand that age and injuries are a concern, but I'm not too worried. Smith just named All-Pro for the first time since 2016 and I wouldn't be shocked if he has another campaign or two at the level still inside of him.
If the Cowboys want Dak Prescott to lead them to a Super Bowl, Smith must be on the field protecting him next season.
Cowboys Can't Let DE Dorance Armstrong Hit Free Agency
Despite only starting in one of his 17 appearances, Dorance Armstrong was one of the Cowboys' best pass-rushers in 2023.
The ex-Kansas defender was all over the field this season, registering 20 solo tackles, seven lost yardage tackles, 7.5 sacks, and one defended pass. His 21.0 sacks since the beginning of the 2021 NFL season only trail Micah Parsons (40.5) as far as Cowboys go, proving just how important he's been to the defensive line.
It'd be wise for the Cowboys to re-sign Armstrong considering the state of their defensive line contracts. In addition to Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., Johnathan Hankins, and Neville Gallimore are also free agents this offseason. Furthermore, DeMarcus Lawrence, Osa Odighizuwa, and Chauncey Golston are projected to hit the open market in 2025.
If Dallas wants to ensure that its D-line remains among the best next year and beyond, finding a way to lock Armstrong down before free agency opens is a must.
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