The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for another season, and with several key players hitting free agency, the team is looking to bring back some familiar faces. The biggest surprise on the open market is edge Jadeveon Clowney, who joined the Cowboys midseason and led the team in sacks. Clowney's performance down the stretch of the season has certainly earned him a place in the league, and he may be choosing not to accept an offer before identifying where he can best be served in the pursuit of a playoff appearance. Personally, I think Clowney's decision to wait could be a strategic move, as he aims to secure a more favorable contract or find a team that better suits his goals. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential impact of Clowney's decision on the Cowboys' roster. If he chooses to wait, it could mean the team has more flexibility to address other needs, such as strengthening the offensive line or adding depth at linebacker. In my opinion, the Cowboys should be cautious in their approach to free agency, as they have already added eight linebackers over the offseason, including veterans like Rashan Gary and Dee Winters. While the group is in shuffle as the team figures out the best fit for each player, it's clear that some players, like Marist Liufau, are no longer suited for their current roles. Liufau, who has been just plain bad, has allowed 35 receptions on 39 targets and has a missed tackle percentage of 18.4. As an inside linebacker, Liufau has a short leg to stand on making the switch to the outside, and the Cowboys couldn't continue allowing him to hurt the defense while playing on the inside. This raises a deeper question: How will the Cowboys navigate the free agency period and the open competition for starting positions? With an open competition for the starting left tackle job, it is crucial for Tyler Guyton to take a leap forward for his third year in the league, especially as the perceived weak link on the offensive line. The team will be counting on Guyton or Thomas to protect Dak Prescott's blindside so the unit can reach its maximum potential. If you take a step back and think about it, the Cowboys' success in the upcoming season will depend on their ability to address their weaknesses and make strategic decisions in free agency. The division will almost certainly be more competitive this year, with the Eagles still being a very competitive team and the Cowboys looking to get to the top of the division before the Eagles figure it out. In my opinion, the Cowboys have the talent and the potential to succeed, but they will need to make smart decisions and navigate the free agency period carefully. What this really suggests is that the Cowboys have a challenging but exciting season ahead of them, and it will be fascinating to see how they approach the open market and the competition for starting positions.
