Over the last couple of seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have developed a reputation for being especially cheap in free agency. For example, instead of signing running back Derrick Henry last offseason, owner Jerry Jones opted for a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott. Henry had 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens making $8 million. Elliott had 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns for Dallas while making $2 million.
Of course, the Cowboys’ lack of spending on outside free agents can be attributed to them giving massive contract extensions to their own star players. Dak Prescott is currently the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, making $60 million a year on the contract extension he signed last year. CeeDee Lamb also got a huge contract, one that is paying him $34 million a year.
And, of course, they are still trying to work out an extension for Micah Parsons.
The Dallas Cowboys Signed Offensive Tackle Saahdiq Charles
On Wednesday, it was reported that the Cowboys had signed free agent offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles, who previously played for the Washington Commanders:
After four seasons in Washington, Charles became a free agent and signed with the Tennessee Titans for the 2025 season. However, he did not play last year as he surprisingly decided to retire during training camp.
At the time, Titans head coach Brian Calhoun said that Charles decided he just didn’t want to play football anymore.
As one can imagine, Cowboys fans were not too thrilled with this signing.
Dallas Cowboys Fans Are Furious About the Saahdiq Charles Signing
Not only did Charles retire from football and sit out the 2025 season, he also was not an every-Sunday player for Washington. As a rookie in 2020, he played just one game. He played 10 games in 2021, 13 in 2022, and 11 in 2023.
Cowboys fans, while acknowledging the need for offensive line depth, are not thrilled with the Charles signing because he seemingly quit on the Titans last year:
It will be interesting to see what kind of role Charles earns after sitting out for a year. He certainly will have a tall task in front of him having to protect the highest-paid player in NFL history.
