The Cowboys are planning to let David Irving hit free agency. The mercurial defensive tackle who played in just two games last season, after registering seven sacks in an eight-game 2017, will be allowed to walk, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Although the Cowboys currently hold nearly $50MM in cap space, they have much higher priorities than retaining an often unavailable defensive tackle. Beyond another franchise tag situation with DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas has complex contract math upcoming. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Byron Jones and Jaylon Smith are extension-eligible.
Additionally, the Cowboys were not pleased with how Irving handled his high ankle sprain last season, Moore adds, noting the talented interior defender only occasionally appeared at the team facility for rehab after receiving a second opinion on his injury.
Irving began a second straight season with a drug suspension, after missing time in training camp to deal with a custody battle over his daughter. Personal issues extended into the season for Irving as well.
While it won’t be hard to imagine another team taking a chance on the 25-year-old talent, the Cowboys do not appear ready to make an effort to prevent that from happening.
This hurts, because I know he’ll get picked up. But I know in the back of my head that there’s an extremely high chance his new team will face the same annoyances associated with him that Dallas did.
I think Cleveland will be on him in a heartbeat and they have dealt with annoyances in the past so that probably won’t deter them.
The only problem with his “annoyances” is that it involves him never showing up and playing. I don’t think any team will put up with that.
Yes, there are many teams that will think they have “the answer” as to how to properly motivate this slacker who only wants to get paid.
A cancer that needs to be cut away!
The only place I seem him succeeding is somewhere with no night life and even still he is a big risk
He has issues upstairs. I don’t think it’s necessarily partying, but I could be wrong
And where is there “no night life” in the NFL these days?