The NFL off-season is in full swing and the Dallas Cowboys are already in danger making the biggest mistake this season. They need to avoid this and do the simple task of trying to keep David Irving as a Cowboy.

Currently as it stands, Irving is a restricted-free agent meaning the Cowboys have the right to match any offer. The Cowboys also have the choice of tendering Irving with wither a first or second round pick, which just means that is the compensation Dallas gets back if they don’t decide to match the offer sheet.  According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Dallas will tender Irving but has not yet decided which type of tender they will tag him with.

This year, a first-round tender will cost the Cowboys $4.3 million for the season, while a second-round tender will cost $3 million.

The decision shouldn’t be this hard. Do everything in your power to retain David Irving, including tagging him with a first-round tender.

Yes, paying $4.3 million for one year is a lot from a player that hasn’t been as reliable for most of his career, but the talent outweighs all the bad.

Last season, Irving despite playing only eight games due to a suspension and a severe concussion injury, still managed to put up seven sacks. He had four sacks in limited playing time last season and he helps open up much more room for Demarcus Lawrence to thrive on your defensive line.

With Irving and Lawrence holding down the defensive line and you add in a talented young secondary, this defense is going to be scary good in 2018 if people can stay healthy.

Also, the move will pay off even if Irving does get an offer sheet the Cowboys can’t afford to match. In the unlikely hood a team is willing to pay big money to Irving; the Cowboys get an extra first-round pick which is like Gold in the NFL.

So Jerry, bite the bullet and give him that first-round tender. He and Lawrence are the War Daddies you’ve been dreaming about for so long.  Be the wildcatter gambler that helped you build this franchise and the results are going to be spectacular.