FRISCO, Texas – This is the reality of NFL football at the end of each season: players will return the next season, maybe even the majority of the roster, but that exact same team will never play together again.
"There will be some changes, there will be some personnel, there will be some new guys here next year, there will be some guys that are here that won't be here," head coach Jason Garrett said. "That's all part of this National Football League. But I do believe we have a great core, a great foundation coming back and I believe they'll be determined to take the next step next year."
NFL free agency begins March 9, and the Cowboys will have decisions to make this offseason on whether to try to retain 21 free agents to be, including starters Terrance Williams, Ronald Leary, Terrell McClain, Brandon Carr, Barry Church and Morris Claiborne.
Take a look at all the 2017 Dallas Cowboys free agents.
20161226DALALL
Dallas Cowboys defensive back J.J. Wilcox (27) drops back into coverage during a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game 31-26. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) intercepts a pass during a 2016 NFL week 4 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, October 2, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers, 24-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Minneapolis. Dallas won 17-15. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys safety Barry Church (42) calls out a defensive signal during a 2016 NFL week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Penn. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 27-13. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant (56) during a preseason NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, August 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys, 27-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Andrew Gachkar defends on defense prior to a play in action against the Cincinnati Bengals during a NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 28-14. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) during the 2016 NFL week 15 regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers, 26-20. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Ryan Davis (75) runs in pursuit during a week 10 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov 13, 2016, in Pittsburgh. The Cowboys won 35-30. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Richard Ash (76) during a 2016 NFL week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Penn. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 27-13. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) during an NFL Divisional Round Playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 in Arlington, TX. The Packers won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys guard Ronald Leary (65) prepares to block on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay won 34-31. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) takes a handoff during a 2016 NFL week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Penn. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 27-13. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) looks to pass during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 1, 2017, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 27-13. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore (17) passes during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, January 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys, 34-23. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Jack Crawford (58) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Detroit Lions' Glover Quin (27) watches as Dallas Cowboys' Brice Butler (19) catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar celebrates his touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (64) plays against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) carries the ball during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain (55) watches during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 14, 2016 in Irving, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Here's the complete list of impending free agents below.
Unrestricted:
QB Kellen Moore
QB Mark Sanchez
RB Lance Dunbar
RB Darren McFadden
WR Brice Butler
WR Terrance Williams
TE Gavin Escobar
G Jonathan Cooper
G Ronald Leary
DT Richard Ash
DT Jack Crawford
DE Ryan Davis
DT Terrell McClain
LB Andrew Gachkar
LB Justin Durant
LB Rolando McClain
CB Brandon Carr
S Barry Church
CB Morris Claiborne
S J.J. Wilcox
Exclusive Rights:
DE David Irving
[embeddedad0]
