Despite having rosters loaded with talent, the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys are being labeled the NFL’s most “unstable” franchises by a group that knows the business side of football better than most – player agents.
In a recent survey conducted by NFL reporter Ben Standig, 24 agents were asked to name the most unstable franchises in the league. The Bengals topped the list with 5.5 votes, while the Cowboys followed closely with 3.5.
Rounding out the top four were the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, each receiving three votes. But it was Cincinnati and Dallas that sparked the strongest reactions from the agent community.
One agent singled out the Bengals’ front office for a pattern of dysfunction. “There is always some kind of issue there and not much accountability,” the agent said, pointing to the rocky negotiations this offseason with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart.
Hendrickson skipped all of training camp before ultimately agreeing to a restructured deal that added $14 million in guaranteed money. Stewart, meanwhile, missed the first three days of camp before signing his rookie contract, reportedly due to contract language issues that other teams had resolved far earlier.
Another agent criticized the Bengals’ organizational structure, describing it as “mom and pop ownership.” Team owner Mike Brown still holds a heavy hand in daily operations, and several family members work in the front office, leading some to believe the organization is behind the times when it comes to negotiating and adapting to modern NFL standards.
Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys didn’t fare much better in the eyes of agents. Known for being deeply involved in every football decision, Jones drew sharp criticism for his hands-on approach. “An 82-year-old billionaire thinks he knows how to run a football team, and all the yes men around him nod along,” one agent said.
Jones’ reputation for cutting agents out of the negotiating process hasn’t helped matters either. He prefers to deal directly with players, which agents see as a red flag.
This offseason, Dallas found itself in a standoff with superstar linebacker Micah Parsons, which ultimately ended with Parsons being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Though the Cowboys landed two first-round picks in return, the handling of the situation only further cemented the perception of instability.
Instability that goes beyond the field
While the Bengals and Cowboys may consistently compete on the field, behind-the-scenes issues appear to be undermining long-term success.
Whether it’s outdated ownership structures or adversarial negotiation tactics, both franchises are struggling to maintain trust among the very people who help shape player careers. If either team wants to change its reputation, it will take more than wins – it’ll take modern leadership and transparent communication.
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