Dallas Cowboys to be 'selectively aggressive' in free agency - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — If last year's theme for the Dallas Cowboys was «all-in,» then the leader in 2025 is «selectively aggressive.»

While the «all-in» definition used by owner and general manager Jerry Jones might have differed from conventional wisdom in terms of how the Cowboys put together their roster last season, the «selectively aggressive» moniker used Monday at the NFL scouting combine by executive vice president Stephen Jones goes back to how the Cowboys used to handle free agency before 2024.

«Obviously, our goals historically have been to try to fill as many of our musts and needs before the draft so you can pick the best player on your board,» Stephen Jones said. «Didn't get that totally accomplished last year, but certainly that's always the goal. And every year is different in terms of what those musts and needs are, and then you also have to marry what's in free agency vs. where the draft is heavy and where we can help ourselves in the draft.»

Signing All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons to a long-term extension is at or near the top of the list for the Cowboys. While they have yet to kick off discussions with his agent, that could happen as soon as this week with how the organization usually approaches its own players regarding long-term deals.

Parsons is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal (around $21 million) while potentially looking at an extension that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in football (currently $34 million per year).

Last offseason, the Cowboys' priorities were retaining wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, but those deals did not get done until August and September, respectively.

Prescott was at every offseason event before signing a deal