The Dallas Cowboys and free agency haven't been the best of friends in the past couple of seasons, but under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, that might be about to change.
With a host of players walking out the door last offseason, and Dallas not replacing them, under Schottenheimer, things might just be a little different.
Defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa is perhaps the most notable free agent, and along with others such as Jourdan Lewis and DeMarcus Lawrence, some key players must be tied down to new contracts.
But with the Cowboys able to have $100 million in cap room with a few simple flicks of the switch on several contracts, there is money to play with, and that makes the free agency period rather exciting.
So, what will the plan be in free agency under coach Schotty?
“We're always going to start with our guys," Schottenheimer said on the free agency plans. "We know them right, we've got history with them, we've developed those guys, we understand their strengths, their weaknesses, what they bring to the table from a culture standpoint.
"It all depends on how things go, it's a very competitive business, it's a very competitive time a year, there's incredible dialogue going on all day, every day here in Indianapolis. I think that's the exciting part about this time of year, is you really are competing with these other teams that want to come in and acquire your players, and we're going to make it very tough to let those guys leave."
That sort of positive talk is a start ... and paired with COO Stephen Jones' vow to be "selectively aggressive'' in roster spending?
It creates optimism.
And indeed ... The Osa deal seems like it will only be a matter of time, with our Mike Fisher reporting that a deal is "very close.''
But the futures of others, like Lawrence and Lewis? They aren't so straightforward.
“I’m optimistic in our conversations with the Cowboys that they’re very aware of what it will take to keep DeMarcus a Cowboy,” Canter said to 105.3 The Fan. “Honestly, that’s up to them. It’s not up to us. There’s a number.
"That number gets done and DeMarcus is wearing 90 and running back on the field.”
We don't know what that "number'' is for Tank, who has been a $20 million per year guy. But we do have a source close to the talks who is envisioning Lawrence getting offered more elsewhere ... and as he's about to turn 33, finishing his career elsewhere.
Having said all of that, there does appear to be a want to get a little proactive this offseason.
Plus, we then add in owner Jerry Jones not having his annual "On The Bus" talks with reporters with his time rather limited dealing with player agents per our own Mike Fisher. Is that a sign that times are changing?
It would appear so. But maybe not enough to change the future of long-time stalwart Demarcus Lawrence.
