Locked On Cowboys — Cowboys Squad Show: Are the Cowboys Ready to Spend in NFL Free Agency?

Podcast: Locked On Cowboys – Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys
Date: March 3, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Jeff Biggs, Glenn “Stretch” Smith (guest / former Cowboys coach)
Guest (next episode): Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This week’s Cowboys Squad Show dives into the pressing question: Are the Dallas Cowboys finally ready to spend big in NFL free agency? The conversation centers on Jerry Jones’ public declaration to "bust the budget," the team’s draft/free agency strategies, franchise-tagged star George Pickens’ contract saga, and the impact of the NFL Combine—plus late-breaking health news on rising defender Donovan Ezraku. The hosts weigh in with candid analysis, inside stories, and draft/depth chart projections for fans eager to see if the front office will finally act aggressively to chase a championship window.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jerry Jones Signals Aggressive Spending — But Is It Real?

• Jerry Jones stated he's ready to "bust the budget" for the right free agent.
• Marcus Mosher skepticism: “The Cowboys are going to spend more in free agency than we've seen the last couple years. But that's not really saying a ton, Jeff ... last year, Dante Fowler was their biggest signing ... one year, six million.” (03:30)
• Cautionary note: Both Marcus and Stretch caution that spending must not prioritize familiar faces over true talent; previous staff hirings and acquisitions sometimes favored coaches' ties over pure evaluation.
• Quote — Stretch: “I don't want to overpay a guy just because he's got the password to the honeycomb hideout. If we're going to overpay a guy, let's overpay the guy that's evaluated in the correct way.” (06:22)

2. Free Agency/Draft Strategy & Position Priorities

• What Dallas does in FA will guide their draft approach; if they go after key positions, expect them to avoid those spots early in the draft.

• Marcus: “If they go hard and heavy after cornerbacks, probably a good sign they’re not going to spend a first-round pick on a corner. If they sign Alontae Taylor and another guy ... we probably won’t see them use ... pick number 12 on Monsour Delaine.” (07:47)

• Draft Class Depths:

  • Linebacker and Safety: Deepest spots—can find early starters into Day 3.
  • Cornerback: Dries up quickly; quality edge rushers will only be found early.

• Stretch on team needs: Edge rusher might not be the top priority, despite some buzz.

3. Stop Drafting “Projects” — Jerry’s New Declared Philosophy

• Jerry Jones wants “no more project players.”
• Stretch Analysis: “He’s saying, ‘Don’t bring me any of those [developmental guys].’ … That's what he's saying. Jerry has a memory like an elephant.“ (10:43)
• Marcus Speculates: Shift toward immediate-impact players over athletes with just “traits”.
• Draft Example: Marcus touts Miami’s Reuben Bain as the #3 player in the class despite not fitting traditional size traits. “He's a top five pick, first round pick ... elite, elite player.” (13:42–13:57)

4. Traits vs. Proven Production — Draft Philosophy Debate

• Past Mistakes: Team has previously overemphasized measureables (height, arm length) over real tape production.

• Marcus: “You drafted Nayshawn Wright in the third round ... he was here for three years, did almost nothing ... and you don’t get ... the Cowboys got no benefit of that pick. I don't see the Cowboys being that aggressive taking traits this year.” (15:14–16:26)

• Stretch: “Whoever they are, I don’t care ... A day one starter, and they better be, because if they’re not, then it’s a bust pick.” (16:27)

5. George Pickens: Franchise Tag & Long-Term Deal Drama

[22:12–33:39]

• Context: Pickens tagged; his high-profile agent (David Mulagueda) wants a long-term deal.
• Marcus: “I think Jerry’s smart ... Have you ever met a player that was excited about the franchise tag?” (22:12–22:38)
• Stretch: “No.” (22:38)
• Contract Stalemate & Strategy:
  • Pickens likely unhappy with just a tag but doesn’t benefit from a holdout.
  • Both sides may be “in no rush”; Pickens could bet on himself and try to reset the market post-2026.
  • “If he trumps the season that he just had ... you gotta consider him a $40 million guy.” — Stretch (26:40)
  • Marcus: “It might not be the worst thing in the world for Pickens to wait this out ... we've seen how guys like Dak have leveraged this into ... even bigger contracts ... If he can have another season with no antics ... could potentially earn 10 to $12 million more per season.” (25:47)
• Shifting WR market: Impending deals for JSN, Puka Nacua, and Rashid Shaheed will re-set numbers.

6. Salary Cap & Negotiation Priorities

• Pickens’ deal may take a back seat while Dallas addresses other needs, kicker Brandon Aubrey’s deal, and cap flexibility.
• Expect more contract restructures and possibly up to $40M in cap space soon.
• Marcus: “Nothing is going to surprise them here over the next week, week and a half.” (59:23)

7. Brandon Aubrey — Kicker Extension Looming

[34:35–36:15]

• Aubrey wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid kicker (~$7M/year); both sides seem close.
• Marcus: “There’s not a lot of wiggle room here ... I think it ultimately does get done.” (35:04)

8. Donovan Ezraku’s Surprise Surgery & Defensive Depth Worries

[48:04–48:53]

• News broke that Ezraku is having hip surgery, likely missing the offseason but aiming for training camp.

• Marcus: “This is a setback for him ... but I don’t think this is going to suddenly make edge rusher a bigger need than it already was because I think it was one of the biggest needs on the roster.” (48:04)

• Context: Multiple key defensive players (Ezraku, Duron Bland, Savon Revell, Overton) are coming off injuries—a concern for 2026 depth and production.

9. NFL Draft: Combine Takeaways & Roster-Building Philosophy

[39:25–44:47]

• Combine Impact:
  • “If you are rooting for someone like Reuben Bain ... this probably was a good combine.” (39:25)
  • Some prospects rose/fell based on measurables and workouts; others play the waiting game for Pro Day.
• Key Takeaway:
  • Most depth/value in this year’s draft is at linebacker and safety.
• Immediate Starters Are a Must:
  • Stretch: “If you don’t get two day one starters, I mean, it’s a bust.” (44:14)
  • Supports rumors that Dallas could trade a pick for a proven contributor.

10. Blockbuster Trade Rumors: Max Crosby

[44:42–46:59]

• Rumor: Dallas linked to Max Crosby of the Raiders; a trade would cost at least pick #20 and possibly a player like Osa Odighizuwa.
• Marcus: “Whenever you’re paying a guy a lot of money and you’re giving up draft capital, that’s really hard to do... I probably would do it for pick 20 because you’re in a window... but I think anything more than pick 20, I, I would have a problem with it.” (45:50)

11. Offseason Improvement: Fixing the O-Line, Analytics’ Role

[53:15–57:18]

• Stretch (Coach’s Insight): True team growth means analyzing every play, every look, identifying missed opportunities, and dialing up precise improvements.

  • Emphasizes offseason film study, technical refinement, and making sure your best players are maximized.

• Marcus: “This is where you’ll see the analytics department ... saying, ‘Hey, when we get against these ... defenses, these are the five or six route combinations that are the most effective...’” (56:20)

• Key offseason priority: Fix the offensive line — needs to match its investment to performance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marcus (on FA spending): “My fear is ... the Cowboys maybe don’t remember how to do it right. A lot of times you’re gonna have to pay 120% of what you think you need to pay.” (03:30)
• Stretch: “Don’t bring me ... a damn Toyota Camry. It’s not what I want. ... Jerry has a memory like an elephant.” (10:43)
• Marcus (on Reuben Bain): “Third best player in this class ... Top five pick, first-round pick ... elite, elite player. You don’t see that on tape?” (13:42–13:57)
• Stretch (draft philosophy): “I’m not looking for any projects. I’m not betting on the come. ... I don't want a guy that, boy, you know, he's got all this stuff, but boy, now, let me tell you ... I'm out on that.” (16:27–18:54)
• Jeff Biggs (on franchise tag): “Have you ever met a player that was excited about the franchise tag?” (22:38)
• Stretch (on injuries): “The problem with having hip surgery is … he needed to add some weight … How much lower body work can you really do?” (48:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:30 – Will Cowboys actually spend in free agency? (Mosher skepticism)
• 07:47 – FA action reveals draft intentions
• 10:43–12:53 – Jerry's "no more projects" mandate explained
• 13:42–13:57 – Reuben Bain top-5 prospect debate
• 16:27–18:54 – “Traits” vs. production; lessons from failed picks
• 22:12–33:39 – George Pickens tag, contract standoff; WR market discussion
• 34:35–36:15 – Brandon Aubrey’s looming kicker extension
• 39:25 – NFL Combine takeaways for Cowboys’ draft plan
• 44:42–46:59 – Max Crosby trade rumors; would Dallas pay the price?
• 48:04–48:53 – Donovan Ezraku’s surgery and defensive depth worries
• 53:15–57:18 – Offseason improvement strategy: film, analytics, line play
• 57:18–61:48 – Salary cap moves, extension priorities, and preview of next week

Summary Flow & Tone

The episode is brisk, candid, and occasionally irreverent—matching the show’s signature style. Coach “Stretch” provides hardline, old-school evaluation and locker-room wisdom; Marcus delivers sharp, stat-laden perspective and transparent skepticism about front office promises. There’s tough love for previous draft misses, pragmatism about the realities of salary cap wizardry, and an unblinking focus on putting pressure on the organization to fix the trenches and resist familiar mistakes in both free agency and the draft.

For First-Time Listeners

This Cowboys Squad Show episode provides clear, honest guidance on what frustrated fans might expect from Jerry Jones and the Dallas front office in a potentially pivotal free agency. If you’re tired of hearing the Cowboys are “in on everyone” only to watch them stand pat, this episode prepares you with realistic expectations, sharp draft/depth analysis, key cap mechanics, and the insider logic that will drive the team’s actions in both March and April.

What’s Next?

• More combine buzz and draft rumors on upcoming Locked On Cowboys podcasts.
• Expect free agency preview coverage, with linebacker/safety scouting reports and reaction as the legal tampering window opens.

Your Team. Every Day.