Talkin’ Cowboys: No Splash Zone?

Date: March 10, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrik “No-See” Walker, Isaiah Stanback, Josh Rodriguez

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Dallas Cowboys’ approach to NFL free agency as the new “legal tampering” period opens. The crew breaks down the Cowboys’ latest moves, analyzes trade and free agent targets, and debates the wisdom of focusing on depth versus “splash” signings. Lively banter and sharp analysis drive a wide-ranging discussion about Dallas’ off-season strategy, player fit in the new system, and prospects around the NFC East.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Early Free Agency Moves: Cowboys Activity (01:49–10:13)

• Sam Williams Re-Signed (01:54)

  • One-year, $3 million deal; special teams mainstay in need of defensive growth.
  • Isaiah Standback: “[Williams] did not fit a 4-3 type defensive end. He is a 3-4 outside linebacker. This system should bode well for him.” (03:19)
  • Concerns remain over maturity (9.5 career sacks, 9 personal fouls).

• Rashan Gary Trade (04:27–06:43)

  • Traded a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay for Gary (current base: $18M, expects contract restructuring).
  • Not a “blue-chip” but an impactful starter who is durable and consistent.
  • Patrick Walker: “This is not the blue chip edge rusher that I think everybody wanted, but is he a good football player? Absolutely. Is he better than what you had on this roster last year? Absolutely.” (11:57)

• Jalen Thompson Signing (06:48–07:31)

  • Three-year, $36 million max; versatile strong safety from Arizona, former pupil of new Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith.
  • Relegates Donovan Wilson to likely leaving: “They did not give Jalen Thompson a $36 million contract for him to play in rotation or back up to anybody.” (07:24)

• Contract Restructuring (07:31–08:13)

  • Malik Hooker (saves $2M), Terrence Steele (saves $9M) restructured.
  • Steele now 16th highest-paid OT; restructures free up cap for further moves.

• Second-Round Tenders (08:13–10:14)

  • Brandin Aubrey (k, 2nd round tender) and TJ Bass (OL) get $5.6M tenders, offering Cowboys right to match or receive a pick if signed away.
  • Brock Hoffman not tendered, slight tension but open door for his return.

• Comp Picks & Other Misses (10:14–11:35)

  • Two compensatory fifth-round picks added for the 2026 Draft.
  • Cowboys nearly completed a Maxx Crosby trade but didn’t want to give two firsts—Baltimore did.
  • Still monitoring market for Trey Hendrickson; linebacker market “whiffed.”

2. Rashan Gary Trade Reaction and Outlook (11:36–15:33)

• Cowboys’ Comfort with 4th Round Trades:
  • Recent pattern (Trey Lance, Jonathan Mingo, Rashan Gary).
• Gary’s Value:
  • 7.5 sacks, highly available (“The best ability is availability…” – Josh Rodriguez, 13:31), top run defender.
• Not Done Yet:
  • Hosts emphasize Gary can be a building block but expect further moves, especially at linebacker.
  • “It can't be [the end] … they were trying really hard to get a linebacker yesterday.” (14:18 – Josh Rodriguez)

3. Missed Linebacker Opportunities & Free Agent Philosophy (15:33–21:59)

• Linebacker Market Run:

  • Cowboys pushed hard but lost out on key targets.
  • Patrick Walker (16:54): “Not for lack of effort…they went hard at linebacker yesterday. Just didn’t go.”
  • Lively exchange on why certain targets (presumably Georgia LB, Lloyd, Little, etc.) signed elsewhere despite coaching, system, and player familiarity advantages.

• Depth vs. Splash Debate:

  • Isaiah Stanback (19:53): “I think that they're really kind of have to...turn their attention to consistency versus one splash…have three or four guys that are able to come in and play…collectively as a defense, we could be one heck of a unit if we have consistency across the board.”
  • Josh laments missing on “depth pieces,” not just stars: “Yesterday was a really, really tough sit.” (21:59)

4. Grading Day One & Defensive Build Philosophy (22:34–23:51)

• Grades for Day One (22:34):

  • Patrick: “If I give an A to Jalen Thompson…and B+ to Gary…an F on linebacker… I land right at C.” (23:20)
  • Kyle: “It’s also day one…They’re moving in the right direction.” (23:22)

• Roster Construction:

  • Emphasis on new DC Christian Parker’s system—adding versatility, depth, and fit over sheer star power.
  • Building a “goon squad” with multiple contributors rather than overpaying “one splash” player.

5. Free Agents Still Available & Preferred Targets (29:49–33:43)

• Targets Left in Free Agency (29:49):

  • Isaiah Stanback: “I still want Bobby Wagner…still one of the top linebackers in the league.” (29:53)
  • Calebon Chaison (Edge), Caden Ellis (LB), Leo Chanel (LB), and cornerbacks like Tariq “Reek” Woolen discussed as good fits for Dallas’ evolving defense.
  • Patrick Walker (33:05): “When we talked about adding the sweetener to the Gary Deal, Chaison would be sweetener. You gotta address linebacker today.”

• Potential Defensive Additions via Trade/FA:

  • Discussion of cost and roster-building tradeoffs.
  • “I don’t care. … It ain’t my money.” (35:19 – Patrick) in reference to paying for Trey Hendrickson.

6. Cap Management & Aggressiveness (35:09–41:27)

• Cap Flexibility:
  • Cap “can be finessed” if team wants to go all-in; Osa Odighizuwa contract identified as a potential restructure candidate for more room.
• Hesitation Hurts (35:51):
  • Kyle Yeomans: “In this day and age…hesitation gets you nothing…Make a move. Forget about the future. Let’s do this thing over the next two or three years and see what happens.”
• Trade vs. FA Bidding:
  • “Would you not be more comfortable…swooping in and offering up a pick [for a soon-to-be-released star] than fighting a bidding war?” – Patrick Walker (45:48). Consensus: Yes; use surplus comp picks for a shot at difference-makers if possible.

7. Team Building Approaches & Locker Room Culture (48:19–51:36)

• Intangibles & Versatility:
  • “I’m thinking about guys that not only produce on the field, but have the versatility to be multiple defensively…What type of energy do they bring?” – Isaiah (48:19)
• Experience/Leadership on Defense:
  • Advocating for adding seasoned veterans (e.g., Campbell, Cam Jordan) as backup/rotational D-linemen to strengthen the locker room and provide depth.

8. NFC East Free Agency Recap (51:36–53:14)

• Eagles: No outside signings; lost 3–4 significant contributors. Extended DT Jordan Davis.
• Giants: Very active—added Isaiah Likely (TE), Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Ar’Darius Washington (S), new punter. Lost Wandale Robinson (cashed out), CB Cordale Flott, and Daniel Bellinger.
• Commanders: Added Oweh (Edge), Amik Robertson (CB), Tim Settle (DT), and re-signed Mariota. Lost Alec Pierce.
• Cowboys: Only team in division not to lose a free agent to NFC East rivals. Noted success in developing offensive linemen (Biadasz, McGovern).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cowboys’ Approach to Big Moves:
  • “They're stuck between old times and the new wave…should we go back to that [star] move? … Let's go with depth and consistency.” – Isaiah (19:53)
• On Hesitation in Free Agency:
  • “Hesitation gets you nothing…Make a move. Forget about the future.” – Kyle (35:51)
• On Rashan Gary:
  • “He’s the definition of consistency…if combined with another move, ideally Trey Hendrickson, you’d feel great.” – Patrick (15:53)
• Locker Room Energy:
  • “Are they go hit you in the face type? … I need my outside linebackers to be straight goons…menaces—even if not dominant.” – Isaiah (50:20)
• Cap Philosophy:
  • “You can finesse the salary cap however you need to. Teams do it all the time…It ain’t my money.” – Patrick (35:19)
• On Missing Out at LB:
  • “As far as linebacker goes, yesterday was a really, really tough sit.” – Josh (21:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Early Free Agency Moves Recap: 01:49–10:13
• Rashan Gary Trade & Analysis: 11:36–15:33
• Linebacker Misses & Depth Strategy: 15:33–21:59
• Grading Day One: 22:34–23:51
• Available Free Agents Discussion: 29:49–33:43
• Salary Cap Finessing & Aggressive Moves: 35:09–41:27
• NFC East Free Agency Recap: 51:36–53:14

Tone & Banter

• Signature barbershop-style banter, especially in the opening (“tamper, pamper, damper, hamper…” 02:03–02:27).
• Emphasis on realism: “We’re going to tell you what the real is.” – Patrick (04:27)
• Balance between optimism about “directionally correct” moves and frustration about missed linebacker targets;
• Recurring theme: “Depth over splash” vs “go all-in.”

Summary Takeaways

• Cowboys are more active than previous offseasons but still not “emptying the bag.” Most moves have focused on depth, versatility, and system fit rather than headliner signings.
• Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson are key upgrades, especially on defense. However, linebacker remains a critical unaddressed need—hosts are vocal in wanting at least one more significant move.
• Salary cap flexibility remains, and there is consensus that Dallas can get creative to land “one more piece”—either via trade or FA—if they’re willing to stop hesitating.
• Locker room and coach fit matter as much as stats.
• NFC East is active and changing, with rivals taking big swings.
• The panel is frustrated but hopeful that Cowboys management will finally “pull the trigger” for a real difference-maker before the window closes.

For die-hard Cowboys fans or NFL free agency junkies, this episode is a front-row seat to the team’s real-time recalibration—with all the laughs, gripes, and sharp takes you’d expect from Talkin’ Cowboys.