The Bengals’ surprising decision to part ways with longtime safety starter George Iloka may end up helping an NFC team that’s thin at this position.
Iloka’s on the Cowboys’ radar, with Calvin Watkins of The Athletic tweeting internal discussions are taking place about Dallas bringing in the 28-year-old defender. The Cowboys are discussing the position as a whole and aren’t too far along on a possible Iloka pursuit, but the now-ex-Bengal’s name has surfaced, per Watkins.
Dallas may not have starter Xavier Woods for its Week 1 game, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Woods strained a hamstring against the Bengals on Saturday, and the team received a firsthand look at Iloka’s most recent work. The Cowboys also lost fellow safety Jameill Showers to a torn ACL, further limiting the Cowboys at a position at which most believe they were already understaffed.
The Cowboys view Iloka as a strong safety, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. They’ve been connected to one of this generation’s best free safeties for months, but nothing’s transpired on the Earl Thomas-to-Dallas front recently. Former UDFA Jeff Heath is stationed at the strong safety spot for now. No known discussions have taken place about moving Byron Jones back to safety.
Iloka started throughout the three most recent Bengals playoff seasons, re-signed with the team in 2016 and started the past two seasons. The former fifth-round pick is entering his seventh NFL season and figures to land somewhere soon, this offseason’s odd safety free agency developments notwithstanding.
Make it happen.
Lol… Xavier Woods.
Why is that funny
Because it’s a New Day, yes it is…
He shares the name of a professional wrestler. A bit of a goofball, too.
Gonna miss him in Cincy… he was a good safety. He’s not a huge turnover guy but solid in coverage and tackling. But I’m looking forward to our first round rookieBates to gate some play.