Jerry Jones, speaking at Zack Martin’s retirement press conference this week, stated that the Dallas Cowboys’ way of doing things a year ago was part of the plan.

The lack of interest in signing free agents, plus the snail-pace extensions of Dak Prescott and CeeDee were all met with criticism. But for regular readers of Cowboyscountry.com, this was known to be part of what our Mike Fisher called the “Blow It Up” plan, and funnily enough, Jerry admitted that.

“I don’t believe that in any way that not signing Dak, for instance, or not signing Lamb hurt us in any way last year on what we did in free agency,” Jones said. “I know that’s been applied, but it didn’t at all because we had available dollars or could make available to have done what we wanted to do.”

Then, Jerry, in the next breath, when asked about this offseason’s plan of attack in free agency: “It’s a part of last year’s plan.”

Right, so what is phase 2 of this plan?

We have our theory, so let’s take a walk.

We have Stephen Jones stating that Dallas will be “selectively aggressive,” and then Jerry is going in the other direction, saying that free agency isn’t the place to fill roster voids (yes, it is, Mr. Jones).

So, there is a bit to work through there. But we offer this question: if free agency isn’t the time to fill roster voids, then why create over $50 million in cap space with contract restructures?

We think Phase 2 of Jerry’s plan is more in line with what Stephen stated, and being selectively aggressive. It won’t be a tier-1 free agency for the Cowboys, but tier 2? This is where the magic can happen.

For arguments sake, moves for linebacker Nick Bolton ($12.3 million APY), receiver Tyler Lockett ($7.7 million APY), running backs Aaron Jones ($5.6 million APY) and guard Will Hernandez ($4.3 million APY) would come to a combined total of $29.9 million and fill holes in need for the Cowboys (all numbers via Spotrac.com).

Dallas could also consider Najee Harris, Robert Spillane, Jonathan Allen (a big yes from us), and B.J. Hill.

All aside from Bolton would likely be one or two-year deals, but now you are starting to see how the plan could come together, and if we add in Micah Parsons’ extension, then even more cap space is created.

Then the re-signings of, say, Eric Kendricks, Jourdan Lewis, Israel Mukuamu, KaVontae Turpin, Carl Lawson, Chauncey Golston, Bryan Anger, and maybe (doubtful but maybe_ DeMarcus Lawrence can happen.

That is what Phase 2 of “Blow It Up” can look like. And all Jerry and Stephen need to do, really, is to continue following their own plan.