Evidence continues to point to a drastic change from previous years, as the Dallas Cowboys appear to be making significant changes in their team-building approach.
“It seems so,” we said.
The following five notable signs suggest the Joneses are ready to prioritize winning over maintaining traditional methods (not to mention marketing).
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys looking for more deeds than words
Are Cowboys fans skeptical? Indeed they are. And we’ve documented Dallas’ complacent nature in recent months. So we get it.
But at least for now they are showing a renewed urgency to strengthen the squad and alter their overall mentality.
Here are five key examples that show this expected evolution:
1. Hiring people outside of their circle: The Cowboys are expanding their hiring practices, bringing in new perspectives from outside their typical circle, indicating a willingness to embrace new strategies and ideas to elevate the team. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer deserves a lot of credit for leading this change. He didn’t just bring in guys he was familiar with. Instead, he seems to have chosen the most qualified candidate.
2. Moving operations to Indianapolis: Unlike in years past when the staff was split up in several different locations, head coach Mike McCarthy led the initiative to have everyone present in Indiana. Again, it was his idea, but as he also noted, credit goes to Jerry Jones for having forked over the money for this to happen.
This change reflects a commitment to improving its draft process and creating a more focused and intense environment for talent evaluation.
3. Urgency with Osa Odighizuwa: The Cowboys have made it clear they are serious about strengthening their defense by addressing the need for a star defensive tackle, Osa Odighizuwa. Despite being “one of their guys,” he remains an early wave free agent … and dismissing him early is a departure from the norm.
4. Jerry Jones cancels his annual “On the Bus” media meeting: CowboysCountry.com’s Mike Fisher was the first to report that Jerry Jones canceled his traditional media meeting at the NFL Combine, citing a busy schedule and prioritizing actions over words.
Jones is spending the weekend talking to agents, not journalists, a change from his usual media-focused approach, which highlights a focus on the actual work rather than public relations.
5. Sign Micah Parsons before the March 12 deadline: This is still to be determined, but it could serve as the strongest indicator of all. A contract extension for star edge rusher Micah Parsons before this deadline could free up as much as $18 million in salary cap space.
For now, it is certainly fair to suggest that the tide is “turning”, but if number 5 comes true, there will be no doubt.
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