What we learned about the Dallas Cowboys during Week 1 of NFL free agency

The first week of NFL free agency is winding down and we’ve seen some big moves take place across the league.

Although the Dallas Cowboys didn’t make any big splashes, they did see their roster change in a big way as one of the franchise’s pillars was allowed to test the open market. A few of the team’s unrestricted free agents also found new homes and Dan Quinn’s defense just keeps getting stronger.

Here’s what we learned about the Cowboys in the first week of free agency:

1. Future plans don’t involve Ezekiel Elliott

On the first day of the NFL’s new fiscal year, the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott parted ways. The running back was designated as a post-June 1 cut, opening the door for Tony Pollard to take over a featured role in the offense.

In seven years with the Cowboys, Elliott amassed 8,262 yards rushing and 68 scores on the ground. His base salary for the 2023 season was $10.9 million and his cap hit of $16.9 million was going to be the highest in the league at the position. Dallas applied a $10.09 million franchise tag on Pollard earlier in the offseason, which meant they would have been spending more than they liked at running back.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reacted to Elliott’s release Thursday, describing the move as “tough.”

“A brother,’’ Prescott said. “Playing the game with a brother. Being able to start this NFL career and share so many memories and grow up as men with the organization, I really can’t imagine taking the field without him. I don’t know if it’s completely hit me yet.

“Obviously, I’ve talked to him. I’m hurt. I’m sure he is.’’

The two came into the league together nearly seven years ago, part of the same 2016 draft class that ushered in a new era. Elliott was the driving force that transformed the Cowboys from a 4-12 mess into a 13-3 team that nailed down the No. 1 seed. Prescott was his accomplice.

Those roles slowly changed. Prescott developed into the team’s offensive focal point while Elliott eased into a secondary role.

2. Stephon Gilmore boosts Dallas’ defense

The Cowboys continued to stock their defense with playmakers, trading a fifth-round pick to Indianapolis for cornerback Stephon Gilmore on Tuesday. Despite turning 32 last season, Gilmore hasn’t showed many signs of slowing down.

He was a productive defender with the Colts in 2022 and made himself familiar with some of his future teammates when Dallas and Indianapolis faced off in December. Gilmore swapped jerseys with Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, and came away with an interception off Prescott.

Last season, in 16 games, Gilmore had two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 66 tackles. Opposing quarterbacks completed 56.2% of their passes against him.

In a Thursday conference with reporters, Gilmore said he thrives in late-game situations.

“Whenever a team needs a big play in the game, I always try to force it,” Gilmore said. “I make it come to me, but I’m always putting myself in the position to make the play. I live for those moments. A lot of players that I looked up to growing up, they were able to make those plays at the end of the game. No matter how big the situation was, they were able to step up and make a play.”

3. Top internal free agents are back

The Cowboys weren’t expected to swing for the fences to start free agency, but they were making a push to re-sign their own playmakers.

Dallas brought back its top internal free agents Tuesday, agreeing to new deals with safety Donovan Wilson and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Wilson signed a three-year contract that can reach $24 million, while Vander Esch signed for two years and $11 million.

The objective was always to keep Wilson and Vander Esch because of the high value each brings.

Reliable backup quarterback Cooper Rush will also return to the team, agreeing to a two-year contract Friday. The deal will be worth $6 million, a person familiar with the contract said. He will receive a guarantee of $2.75 million in 2023 to continue to work behind Prescott.

He led the team to a 4-1 record as the starter and kept the team afloat until Prescott returned against Detroit in late October.

The Cowboys also brought back special teams ace C.J. Goodwin on a one-year deal.

4. Day 3 picks bring in another weapon

It’s safe to say the Cowboys have been very active this offseason after completing each of the moves listed above. What else was on their list of priorities? Adding a wide receiver is a good place to start.

While Dallas preferred to sign a veteran on the open market, a trade wasn’t off the table. Dallas wasn’t looking to part ways with a first- or second-round pick, especially after acquiring Gilmore for a fifth-rounder. The Cowboys got right back to work Sunday, trading for Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans for a 2023 fifth-rounder and a 2024 sixth-rounder.

Cooks had a base salary of $18 million and a cap hit of $26.4 million. For the Cowboys to complete a trade for the veteran, something had to happen with his salary. The Texans agreed to pay $6 million of the receiver’s $18 million guaranteed salary, a person familiar with the situation said Sunday.

This will be Cooks’ fifth NFL team, as he has played for the Saints, Patriots, Rams and Texans.

5. Some unrestricted free agents find new homes

The Cowboys came into the offseason with 19 players on their list of unrestricted free agents. By the end of free agency’s first week, three of those players have signed with new teams.

Offensive lineman Connor McGovern started things off by agreeing to a three-year, $23 million contract with the Buffalo Bills on Monday. A day later, receiver Noah Brown planned to sign a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Linebacker Luke Gifford also departed, securing a two-year, $5 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. Going into Saturday, 12 of Dallas’ unrestricted free agents were still on the market.

6. DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyron Smith restructures create cap space

On Wednesday, the Cowboys announced contract restructures for defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and offensive tackle Tyron Smith. While Smith has struggled to stay healthy, his restructure reduces his $13.6 million salary for 2023.

The offensive lineman can exceed his previous base earnings if he achieves a series of performance incentives tied to playing time. For Lawrence, the team simply took $13.35 million of his $15 million salary and converted it into a signing bonus.

A person with knowledge of Lawrence’s restructure said that Dallas added $8.9 million in immediate cap space there.

The Cowboys have also restructured contracts for Prescott, right guard Zack Martin and receiver Michael Gallup.

7. Schultz is still on the market

The Cowboys kept Dalton Schultz on their roster last season by placing a $10.93 million franchise tag on the tight end. The designation went to Pollard this season, sending Schultz to the open market.

Schultz hasn’t found a new home yet and he’s one of the top remaining free agents, according to ESPN.

He was productive in the postseason with 12 receptions, 122 yards and three touchdowns, and he won’t turn 27 until July. While Schultz was one of Prescott’s favorite targets, the Cowboys found depth at the position in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot.

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