The Dallas Cowboys have made few moves this offseason due to being cash-strapped, but fortunately for them their best signing thus far did them a huge favor by taking a discount rate despite being offered more money by the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite owner and general manager Jerry Jones talking a big game ahead of the offseason, the Cowboys salary roosters have come to roost and the organization has been handcuffed when it comes to making worthwhile moves in NFL free agency. It is why they landed on our list of the 10 teams that have done the worst so far this offseason.
- Eric Kendricks stats (2023): 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
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However, last week the organization made a rock-solid move when they signed one-time All-Pro and nine-year veteran Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal for the surprisingly low rate of just $3 million. The 32-year-old has had 100 or more tackles in the last eight seasons and is a proven and reliable linebacker in the league.
Well, it seems that the Cowboys did not benefit from a diminished market for the one-time Pro Bowler and were actually given a team-friendly deal by the man who played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. According to ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Kendricks allegedly turned down a more lucrative offer from the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers to play for Dallas in 2023.
“Call it the power of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer or a major difference in cost of living and taxes between Texas and northern California,” Archer wrote on Thursday.
- Eric Kendricks contract: 1 year, $3 million ($2.5 million guaranteed)
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It has been a while since the Cowboys got over on the 49ers, but in this one instance the power of that Dallas D was too much for Kendricks to pass on in free agency this month.