Timing is everything and perspective is everything else. NFL stars of the 1970s and 1980s could never have dreamed of earning the kind of money available to today’s players. Football was just growing into its status as the biggest sport in the land, working to usurp Major League Baseball as the apple of America’s eye. Nowadays, quarterbacks who haven’t sniffed a championship game are earning $60 million a year and fifth-round picks like Khalil Shakir are earning $60 million contracts before scoring even eight touchdowns in the league.
What a time to be alive. The dollars pale in comparison to what the owners are making off the sport, of course. That should never be forgotten as fans will often begrudge the players making their fair share of a sport that rakes in billions. The salaries are a reflection of what the owners charge the fans, not vice versa. So when looking at the Dallas Cowboys’ crop of free agents and what they’re projected to earn in the offseason, don’t hate the player, hate the owners of the game.
Here is a look at the players on the Cowboys expected to generate the most interest on the open market. With the scouting combine opening on Tuesday, their agents are busy at work hobnobbing with ownership and gauging interest. Sometimes deals are ironed out in Indy, even though they aren’t supposed to.
Two outlets, Pro Football Focus and Spotrac, work on projecting how much free agents can expect to receive in new contracts. For the Cowboys top six free agents, DT Osa Odighizuwa, edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston and Carl Lawson, LB Eric Kendricks and WR Brandin Cooks, they are projected to earn a total of between $123 million and $128 million on their deals secured.
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Highest Projection: PFF says four years, $85 million total
Lowest Projection: Spotrac says three years, $63 million total
DE DeMarcus Lawrence
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys during a training session on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Highest Projection: Spotrac says two years, $24 million total
Lowest Projection: PFF says two years, $15 million total
DE Chauncey Golston
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Chauncey Golston #99 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a two point conversion during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Highest Projection: Spotrac says three years, $22 million total
Lowest Projection: PFF says two years, $12.5 million total
LB Eric Kendricks
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 18: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a defensive stop against the Houston Texans during the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Highest Projection: Spotrac says one year, $6.8 million total
Lowest Projection: PFF says one year, $4 million total
DE Carl Lawson
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 03: Carl Lawson #55 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Highest Projection: Spotrac says two years, $7.5 million total
Lowest Projection: PFF says one year, $3.75 million total
WR Brandin Cooks
Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Highest Projection: Spotrac says one year, $5 million total
Lowest Projection: PFF says one year, $3 million total
