Dallas fans are preparing for a long offseason, and for good reason. There are 27 impending Cowboys free agents, their head coach search has been nothing short of exhausting, and they promise limited spending once again.
While Brian Schottenheimer and Kellen Moore are understandably taking up the headlines, what Dallas decides to do with their free agents is equally important.
After all, players play, and coaches coach. Whoever the next head coach is could have their inaugural season enhanced or handicapped by the Cowboys’ front-office decisions.
They have to spend if they want to compete, and that means re-signing key players.
Which players should they target? How much money will they cost? That is what we’re here to answer. Let’s take a look at the three Cowboys free agents that the team must re-sign in the 2025 offseason.
Osa Odighizuwa: Emerging Star In The Trenches
If you’re a Cowboys fan, you know how much the team has struggled at defensive tackle in recent years. From Trysten Hill, to David Irving, to Gerald McCoy, things have simply been a slug on the interior defensive line in Dallas.
This is why the Cowboys’ offseason plans must start with extending Osa Odighizuwa’s contract.
Since his rookie season in 2021, the former UCLA Bruin has been getting better each year, and he is now one of the key players on the Dallas defense.
Odighizuwa is coming off career-highs in sacks, tackles, and quarterback hits, and he is only 26 years old. When you have a guy putting up those numbers who hasn’t hit his prime years yet, you keep him around.
He would be one of the hottest commodities on the open market, and bidding wars with other teams don’t work out well for Dallas.
They should put the full-court press on extending Odighizuwa as soon as possible.
Eric Kendricks: Indispensable Linebacker
The 2024 Cowboys free agent list was headlined by Ezekiel Elliott and Eric Kendricks. Signing the aging veteran had more to do with Mike Zimmer’s presence than anything, but he has now become indispensable to the defense.
Kendricks, 32, played in 15 games for Dallas and finished with his highest tackles total in four years. That’s impressive, considering his age.
138 total tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three sacks are hard to replicate for such a low price. Kendricks only cost the Cowboys $3M in the 2024 season.
While his performance beat expectations, he will still be a year older next season, so I’d expect his price range to stay the same.
The question of Zimmer’s future in Dallas should have no bearing on whether Jerry Jones retains Kendricks. With DeMarvion Overshown out, and Marist Liufau still developing, this veteran is the perfect presence and player to have in the organization.
Dallas should re-sign Eric Kendricks quickly before another team steals him.
Brandin Cooks: Bargain Deal For Veteran Weapon
You don’t need me to tell you the Cowboys front office loves a bargain. If they can get somebody for cheap, they will do it. Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks could become that signing for Dallas in 2025.
At 31 years old, Cooks’ value is declining solely based on his age, but when you throw in his 2024 campaign, that price will drop even further.
Cooks has seen his receiving yards and total receptions decline in each of the last three seasons.
In addition to that concern, he struggled with his health in 2024, playing in just 10 games for the Cowboys as he battled an infection after a midseason knee surgery. When you combine that with the statistical drop-off, most teams get scared.
Dallas may be the opposite, however. The team has a young and unproven wide receiver room outside of CeeDee Lamb, and Cooks offers stability and leadership.
When you throw in the possibility of a highly-touted rookie joining that group, their interest in re-signing Cooks could increase. He may be the perfect low-risk, high-reward veteran for the Cowboys in 2025