The Dallas Cowboys don’t usually spend much in outside free agency so when they do, it’s wise for fans to take notice. Unlike most offseasons, the Cowboys attacked 2025 with two shakes of fervor and a dash of gusto. They opened their checkbooks for a number of players, even making trades to round out the rough edges along the way.
Lost in the flurry of activity is the contract value the front office placed at a couple key acquisitions. While running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have dominated much of free agent conversation, there’s a different player the front office deemed more valuable, by way of contract, who’s quietly falling under the radar.
When the Cowboys signed former Dolphins guard Robert Jones to a one-year, $3,750,000 deal in March, it was largely met with indifference from the fanbase. Zack Martin had just retired and Dallas needed options on the table to possibly replace him in the starting lineup. The Cowboys made sizeable investments at left tackle, right guard and center in recent drafts, so Jones looked like a perfectly reasonable option to replace Martin.
$3,750,000 isn’t a King’s Ransom but it’s not nothing either. It represents the Cowboys second-largest salary investment in outside free agency this offseason with only Dante Fowler’s $6 million figure topping it. It was a larger annual amount than what was given to Solomon Thomas, Payton Turner, Jack Sanborn and the two headline grabbing running backs. The Cowboys clearly value Jones.
Like most years, the Cowboys are taking the opportunity in their organized team activities (OTAs) to test the many different combinations of offensive linemen. Chances are good the final combo will follow the chalk and feature Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terence Steele as starters. But backup plans could very well have Jones in the mix.
Jones never graded particularly great in Miami but he has experience and he’s relatively young. Working under one of the best O-line minds in the game in Klayton Adams, the stage is set for Jones to deliver his very best in Dallas here in 2025. The Cowboys front office probably thinks as much or they wouldn’t have made Jones their second-highest paid free agent acquisition this offseason.
Whether he’s a contingency plan should someone falter, or an emergency option should someone fall to injury, he’s a safe bet to be in the mix. Since $3 million has been given him in signing bonus and guarantees he’s nearly a lock to make the team.
Hopefully, everything works out with the predicted starting lineup and no one has to see Jones play in 2025, but the Cowboys clearly saw the value in Jones or they wouldn’t have made him one of their highest paid free agent additions. It’s something everyone should keep in mind as training camp inches closer.
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