FRISCO, Texas – On March 9, the NFL's legal tampering period will begin for pending free agents.
The Cowboys will have their fair share of free agents on the roster, which of course they can agree to terms with and sign at any time before that period.
From unrestricted free agents to restricted and exclusive rights free agents, Dallas has a lot of decisions to make over the next month when it comes to how they want to construct their roster for 2026, and even beyond.
With that, we'll examine each pending free agent on the Cowboys' current roster, continuing today with unrestricted free agent Rob Jones.
How He Got Here
After spending four years with the Dolphins, starting a total of 30 games, including all 17 in 2024, Jones was a free agent last March. He signed a one-year deal in Dallas for $3 million with the idea he could wind up winning the starting job at right guard.
At least, that was the plan heading into the season but it changed after the drafting of Tyler Booker.
What He Did in 2025
The plan for Jones didn't come to fruition because of an unfortunate neck injury Jones suffered early in training camp. The setback occurred at the very end of a July practice, promptly ending his season before it got started. The neck injury required a surgery and Jones spent all of the season on injured reserve.
Why He Could Stay
Never say never to anything, but Jones returning in 2026 doesn't seem like the most likely of options. The Cowboys do have a couple of restricted free agents in T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman who are considered backup guards. If neither of them return, which is unlikely, then it would open the door for the Cowboys to acquire a veteran with some experience. That's why they signed Jones in the first place. Then again, he was signed in March before Tyler Booker was drafted.
But assuming Jones is fully healed from the injury and would come back at a price, there would be a scenario that would have him back in that capacity.
Why He Could Leave
The Cowboys did what they're supposed to do in free agency and cover the bases. That's why Jones was signed but if a player such as Booker came along to draft, they were going to do that and considerably upgrade the position. So Jones came here to be a starter, but began training camp as a backup and then got hurt.
And now, Bass and Hoffman seem to have more upside because they have a little more position flex. Jones had some flexibility to play guard and tackle but it didn't seem as if the Cowboys considered him at tackle.
All in all, after the injury and the fact he's behind others on the depth chart, it wouldn't be a surprise if Jones didn't return next year.
