Cowboys owner Jerry Jones makes feelings known on Eagles’ $138,145,000 free agency

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles adopted different approaches to roster building this year. While the Cowboys spent $21.25 million in free agency, their rivals, the Eagles, invested $138 million.

According to Over the Cap, the Eagles shelled out $138,145,000, with $84,450,000 in guarantees.

Clearly, the Cowboys spent conservatively and the Eagles took a more front-foot approach. With a 13-3 record, the Eagles' investment is paying off. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are at 7-9.

In light of this, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked for his thoughts on the difference between the two approaches. Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, he pointed out how the Eagles have committed a lot to their QB, Jalen Hurts.

Hurts signed a five-year, $255 million extension in 2023, with $179 million in total guarantees.

"They've really spent some money to put this team together," Jones said.

Jerry Jones also stressed how the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback's contract was already in place. Therefore, all they had to do was make moves that could maximize their window of opportunity while they still had the cap room to make further changes.

"This is a good time for them to hit it because they have a lot invested in this team," he said.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are struggling to balance short-term needs with long-term goals.

However, Jerry Jones remains confident in his team's future. He revealed his constant monitoring of the NFL's cap status, and how he uses the information to evaluate the Cowboys' spending.

"I for sure make comparisons with the cap status (of other teams) around the league with where they've got room to grow the cap. I do that all the time. I observe every club very carefully. I obviously look that over and apply it to us and where we spend our money," Jones said.

The Dallas Cowboys' goal is to get long-term success with QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb.

In August, Lamb signed a four-year, $136,000,000 contract while in September, Dak signed a $240 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid QB in the league.

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Jerry Jones' Dallas Cowboys salary cap concerns in 2025

As reported by ESPN on Dec. 19, Dallas Cowboys Executive VP Stephen Jones has already considered how much room they have when it comes to the cap space next year.

The Cowboys' 2025 salary cap is around $275 million of which $263 million has already been allocated among 40 players. Contracts for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are causing a cap crunch but the Cowboys are also keeping a tab on upcoming extensions, including for Micah Parsons.

Other complications are with injured players, veterans, and other considerations like CB DaRon Bland and TE Jake Ferguson, who will see salary increases due to performance escalators.

In spite of these challenges, the Dallas Cowboys will likely have some cap room to make moves in free agency. Now, the major question is not whether the Cowboys can spend, but whether they will choose to do so after a thoroughly disappointing 2024 season.