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The Dallas Cowboys may wish they didn’t cut this $1.5 million value player, especially knowing that he quickly signed to another team.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have been fairly active during the offseason, including in NFL free agency, which officially kicked off on March 11. But, the team parted ways with a particular player in free agency who already found a new home, and it’s a move they may regret.
It’s one thing to have to release an expensive player because of cap space, but when it comes to value players, there can really be some diamonds in the rough. So, it’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes, cutting low-profile players can hurt a franchise more than the expensive big names.
When it comes to the numbers, the Dallas Cowboys are working with a tight salary cap, and that means they’re having to make difficult decisions. The team restructured deals for high-paid players, such as Dak Prescott and Kenny Clark, and that’s helped clean up a large amount of cap space.
Former Dallas Cowboys Player Who Only Cost $1.5 Million Quickly Lands New Team
One player the Dallas Cowboys let walk in free agency was linebacker Jack Sanborn. In March of 2025, he signed a deal with the Cowboys to play for one year at $1.5 million, according to research from Spotrac.
But, the team let him go for the 2026-27 season, and the Chicago Bears quickly lapped him up. Sanborn officially signed with the team on Wednesday, March 18, just one week after free agency kicked off.
Sanborn started his career with the Chicago Bears in 2022, so it’s a homecoming for him. “I love it here in Chicago and being part of what [coach] Ben Johnson and [defensive coordinator] Dennis Allen have been building here and the success that they’ve had,” Sanborn said in an interview with the Chicago Bears’ official website. “It’s something I couldn’t pass up, and I’m grateful that I’m able to come back here and help in any way I can.”
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is Happy With Team’s Free Agency Moves
Jones told reporters on Thursday, March 12, right after free agency kicked in, that he’s pleased with the moves the Cowboys have made so far during the NFL free agency period.
“I think we’re within the boundaries of what we have available, what we’re trying to accomplish with draft picks and with cap,” he said. “I wouldn’t try to re-visit or try to re-do what we’ve done on either that cap or the trades we’ve made. I like what we got.”
One of the best moves so far was signing veteran safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal worth up to $36 million, according to Spotrac research. Jones doesn’t pay a lot in free agency, so this was the most significant move the team has made, at least when it comes to dollars and cents, in free agency since signing cornerback Brandon Carr to a five-year, $50 million contract in 2012.
Now, defensive coordinator Christian Parker has a solid new player in his lineup. The Cowboys are making bigger moves than usual during the NFL offseason, and hopefully it will pay off when September kicks in.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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