One day into NFL free agency frenzy and things are going about as how you’d expect them to for the Dallas Cowboys: It’s been mostly about who is leaving than it is about who is arriving.
The latest example of a departure is defensive end Chauncey Golston, who is signing with a division rival no less. Golston is headed to the New York Giants on a three-year deal worth $19.5 million.
Superstar defender Micah Parsons reacted to the news with a simple yet telling message: “Dam” and two sour face emojis. Coming from him, it’s more than just a teammate reaction to the loss of a fellow defensive lineman.
Parsons has been vocal about his desire for the Cowboys to be more aggressive in free agency, which unsurprisingly hasn’t been corresponded by the front office. Earlier in the day he showed support for cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a message that read “Congrats family (definitely) gonna (be) missed!”
Golston leaving isn’t exactly a surprise. The Cowboys allowed Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong in 2024 and it always seemed like Golston was headed down the same path after putting together his best season yet with 5.5 sacks in 13 starts.
Right now, it seems like Parsons’ running mates at edge rusher will be spearheaded by Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland. The former is coming back from a season-ending injury that kept him out all of 2024 and has yet to truly have a breakout year. As for Kneeland, the team expects him to take a second-year jump.
Truth be told, problems are piling up on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys. After losing Lewis, the secondary has a hole a the nickel position and Trevon Diggs might not be healthy to start on the outside in Week 1. At linebacker, DeMarvion Overshown might also not be able to start early on and pending free agent Eric Kendricks is unlikely to return. As for the trenches, DeMarcus Lawrence might join Golston as a free agent departure.
So that “Damn” from Parsons? It’s more than just a simple reaction, it’s a telling one.