The Musers The Podcast

Cowboys Weekly – Wheelin' & Dealin' Whimper?

Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: George Dunham and Bob Sturm
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the Dallas Cowboys’ approach to the opening weeks of the NFL’s 2026 free agency window. George and Bob dissect the team’s recent trades, free agent signings, and missed opportunities, highlighting both defensive overhauls and the perennial frustrations of Cowboys fandom. With a blend of insider insight and classic Musers banter, they break down the Cowboys’ reticence in free agency, weigh the logic (or lack thereof) in recent personnel moves, and vent about Jerry Jones’ management style. The episode offers a thorough snapshot of where Dallas stands, what’s missing, and why the front office’s old habits die hard.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys' Approach to Free Agency: Business as Usual?

• [00:30 - 04:36]
  • Opening Sentiment: Both hosts express mild pessimism about the "big splash" that Jerry Jones had hinted at. Moves have been made, but there’s skepticism about whether they’re difference-makers or just incremental changes.
  • Bob Sturm’s Analogy:

    "We're trying to do post game shows in the first quarter… you can't do that."
    (01:14)

  • NFL FA vs. College Portal: The NFL salary cap and competition for players often makes free agency “a Black Friday sale”—you may target someone, but 31 other teams may beat you to the punch.

2. Analysis of Defensive Trades

• Rashan Gary Acquisition
  [04:47 - 14:40]

  • Gary, once seen as a possible defensive star, now enters Dallas “probably playing a big role, but... not a great player, but okay, it’s a start” (05:45 - George).
  • Bob gives background on Gary’s expectations vs. actual career, noting he’s “a solid player… like Daron Bland: a good pro, but when you pay him like an ace… expectations get warped” (08:57).
  • Noted comparisons to Demarcus Lawrence’s move—a “good with an ensemble cast” type, not a world-beater solo.
  • Gary’s contract situation: Dallas is likely working on a pay cut. “At $20 million, no. But at $10 million, yes.” (13:40)

• Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco & Solomon Thomas to Tennessee
  [15:50 - 22:02]

  • George laments losing Osa, especially when Dallas finally had multiple strong DTs:

  “Last February he was the only defensive tackle worth a dang on this roster.” (15:50)

  • Bob, however, details why this deal may be driven by cap mechanics and the pursuit of “a better version of something,” possibly a bigger-name player upcoming.
  • Trading Osa costs Dallas cap space due to bonus acceleration. Only worthwhile if it leads to another move.

3. Max Crosby Trade Drama

• [22:02 – 31:46]
  • Max Crosby’s anticipated trade to Baltimore for two firsts fell through due to a failed physical—possibly a legitimate injury concern or Baltimore’s buyers remorse.
  • Fallout rippled league-wide, potentially shifting other deals (including Dallas's trade for Gary).
  • Dallas reportedly offered a 1, a 2, and Odighizuwa for Crosby, but now, “do you trade pick 20 for Crosby?” Bob:

    “Can you find something at pick 20 even close to Max Crosby? The answer is no.” (29:55)

  • Raiders, by now, are likely to settle for a single first-rounder, with other teams circling.

4. Free Agency: Who the Cowboys Landed

Key Signings and Evaluations

• Jalen Thompson (Safety, ex-Cardinals) – [33:45 - 40:42]

  • Smart, tough, versatile: George and Bob enthusiastic.
  • Bob’s breakdown:

    “He’s a dog, isn’t he?... I was very impressed... football IQ of Jalen Thompson—he’s a very, very smart player at all three levels.” (35:05, 38:40)

  • High snap count, high tackle count—raises risk vs. reward for injury due to heavy hitting.

• PJ Locke (Safety, ex-Broncos)

  • Brought in for depth; history of injuries (including a spinal fusion).
  • Adds versatility but “is not a guy who’s been able to stay healthy” (41:16).

• Otito Ogbonnia (NT, ex-Chargers) [44:26]

  • Big body for run defense; solid rotation player.

• Tyrus Wheat (Edge)

• Sam Howell (QB – backup) [45:18]

  • Passed through multiple NFC rosters. Serviceable backup; brings “stability and competition behind Dak.”

5. Who Got Away & Why

Front Seven Frustrations

• Nicobe Dean and Devin Lloyd (LB) – The Ones Who Got Away – [48:02 – 56:53]
  • George vents: “If you’re going to get to the super bowl, you’ve got to take some risk. Go out and get some guys who can play.” (62:48)
  • Bob details that Dallas’s offers were similar to, even slightly better than, those of Vegas—but sometimes players just prefer not to sign with division rivals or prefer a different city.
  • The root issue: Dallas front office hates the “auction” nature of free agency, preferring old-school 1-on-1 negotiations. This stubbornness costs the team deals.

Additional Misses

• Reek Woolen (CB), Kenneth Walker III (RB)
  • Bob and George fantasize about what could have been if the Cowboys had been more aggressive.

6. Recurring Problems: Jerry & Stephen’s Approach

• The Jones family hates open competition and losing control.
• They focus on dictating terms, sometimes to the detriment of player-agent relationships.
• Refusal to win an “auction” leaves Cowboys behind while more adaptable front offices pounce.

Quotes:

• “If you haven’t participated in free agency since 2012, it’s because you don’t understand how free agency works.” (55:29 – Bob)
• George:

  “This is the business deal I want you to win. … I don’t care if you get a great deal on land in Frisco.” (55:29)

• “You want to participate in free agency, you best not torque off every NFL agent in your other business dealings.” (59:19 – Bob)

7. Building for the Draft and What’s Next

• With holes still at linebacker, edge, and potentially at corner, Dallas is set up to draft “the two best playmakers, regardless of position.”
• The first lap of free agency feels underwhelming (“a crappy start”), but with picks in hand and some flexibility, draft season remains hopeful.

8. Memorable Banter & Moments

• Bob’s “YouTube cutups” analogy for backup QBs: “...that’s not really how you want quarterback. You want quarterback to be a consistent level that you can count on, not YouTube cut ups.” (46:58)
• Lamenting Dak’s called-off wedding:

  “That’s the big NFL wedding of the off season. Not Tay Tay and Travis, it’s Dak.” (64:27 – George)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bob Sturm (on Rashan Gary):

  "You can pay me like an ace. That won't make me an ace. So the size of the paycheck does not make one a superstar." (08:57)

• George Dunham:

  "Last February [Osa] was the only defensive tackle worth a dang on this roster... Now, third round pick? That Sounds better. But I pictured a rotation there.” (15:50)

• Bob Sturm (on the free agent market):

  "This is Jerry Maguire telephone scene… bro, do you want this deal or not? This deal is here for 30 seconds… can you go to this number or not?” (51:00)

Important Timestamps

• Cowboys’ FA Philosophy Intro: 00:30 – 04:36
• Rashan Gary Breakdown: 04:47 – 14:40
• Defensive Tackle Trades: 15:50 – 22:02
• Max Crosby Trade Rumors: 22:02 – 31:46
• Jalen Thompson & Free Agent Class: 33:45 – 44:26
• Backup QB Competition: 45:18 – 47:46
• Missed Linebackers (Dean, Lloyd): 48:02 – 56:53
• Fan Frustrations with Front Office: 56:53 – 62:48
• Big Picture / Outlook: 62:48 – 66:12

Final Thoughts

• The Cowboys have started free agency with "a whimper—not a splash.”
• Defensive moves (Gary, Thompson, Ogbonnia) are positives, but frontline improvements, especially at linebacker, remain elusive.
• The Joneses’ refusal to adapt to modern free agency auctions continues to haunt Dallas’ team-building efforts.
• Hope is not lost—with the draft (and maybe Max Crosby?), Dallas can still pivot. But fans are left (as usual) waiting and worrying.

The hosts close on a note of hope and resignation:

"We're doing a postgame show midway through the second quarter and we've got to let this thing percolate ... But after watching the first lap... that team with the star in their helmet had a terrible start." (63:05; 63:35)

Summary by [Podcast Summarizer AI]