The Dallas Cowboys have been extremely cautious in free agency so far. Just like in previous years. That has to change. A commentary.

“Ten years ago…” A sentence that is usually associated with an event like the Super Bowl victory or the retirement of a particular player.

For the Dallas Cowboys, a special event is now also around ten years ago. An event that is symptomatic of the fact that the franchise has consistently fallen short of its own expectations over the past decade.

In 2015, the Cowboys signed their last external free agent costing more than six million US dollars in annual salary in NFL free agency.

It was Greg Hardy, who collected more than eleven million US dollars for his one-year contract. After the 2015 season, which had few ups and far more downs, Hardy was out.

The deal didn’t pay off for Dallas at the time. But is that the reason for not signing another star free agent in the years that followed?

The Cowboys need to have the courage to do something again and make a move in the free agency market. Because if you see yourself as a playoff contender, you should act accordingly. If it’s not already too late for that.

Dallas Cowboys: There’s enough cap space

The Cowboys’ management around owner Jerry Jones cannot use the cap space as an excuse. With more than $50 million (as of March 11), Dallas is in the top third of the league.

This means that there is money for a big deal.

Yes, the Cowboys have not been idle so far, but the really big name is not there. Javonte Williams ($3 million for one year) and Robert Jones (up to $4.75 million for one year) have filled the running back and guard positions for now.

But are these the starter solutions for a contender? That can’t be all.

Dallas Cowboys: The competition never sleeps

Other teams like the Los Angeles Chargers (running back Najee Harris for $9 million in one year) or the Green Bay Packers (guard Aaron Banks for $77 million in four years) have spent significantly more.

Even though Banks is a left guard and the Cowboys need a right guard after Zack Martin retires, it still shows what is going wrong in Dallas compared to the competition.

Jones is cutting corners at every turn, only to push through questionably high contracts like those of Ezekiel Elliott or Dak Prescott in the past.

It’s the wrong way. The market offers many options that would put an end to the Cowboys’ construction sites. However, Jones and Co. would have to spend money on them.

Maybe not necessarily at the position of running back, but Mekhi Becton, Will Fries or Teven Jenkins alone are top guards on the market.

Dallas Cowboys: Not always just a home-grown favorite

Or they could put star defensive lineman Micah Parsons – who will probably sign a new contract in Dallas – alongside another top pass rusher. Because Eric Kendricks could be poached as a free agent.

However, Cody Barton (to the Tennessee Titans for three years and $21 million) and Dre Greenlaw (to the Denver Broncos for three years and $35 million) are promising options that have already been taken off the market.

The Cowboys like to keep their own players, as shown not only by the plans with Parsons but also by the $80 million extension with D-lineman Osa Odighizuwa. He was re-signed for four years.

But always only stars with their own stable? That doesn’t have to be the case.

The Cowboys can’t afford to take much more time, even though free agency doesn’t officially start until Wednesday.

Otherwise, Dallas will go into another decade without having made a big deal in free agency. At least when it comes to players who were previously under contract with another team.