Linked to acclaimed edge rushers in free agency, the Cowboys made their move at the position Friday. They are signing former top-five pick Dante Fowler, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
This will reunite Fowler and Dan Quinn, who was the head coach in Atlanta when Fowler signed with the Falcons in 2020. The two did not stay together long, with the Falcons firing Quinn early that season. This stands to be a higher-profile partnership. It’s a one-year deal, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Cowboys To Re-Sign DL Dorance Armstrong]
Fowler’s production has yo-yoed during his seven-year career. He helped the Jaguars’ “Sacksonville” defense reach the 2017 AFC championship game and was a starter in Super Bowl LIII for the Rams, after a midseason trade. Fowler timed his initial contract year well, producing 11.5 sacks alongside Aaron Donald in 2019. That led to a big-ticket Falcons deal, one the team ended up regretting.
Fowler played 14 games in each of the past two seasons but did not top 4.5 sacks in either. The Falcons adjusted his three-year contract and released him earlier this offseason, allowing an early trip to the market for a player who was already on track for free agency. The Cowboys’ edge plans changed abruptly this week, when Randy Gregory backtracked on an agreement due to guarantee-forfeiture language in his contract. Gregory is now in Denver. The Cowboys pursued Von Miller as well, but a big Bills offer steered the future Hall of Famer to western New York.
Pairing with DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons stands to be a strong opportunity for Fowler to re-establish his value during his age-28 season. After his two down Atlanta years, the former No. 3 overall pick is running out of time to do so.
Yawn….
Love this move for us. Low-risk & considering Jerry/Stephen are never aggressive in FA, and didn’t land any of the top DE on the market remaining (shocking) if we can get the same production that Gregory gave us in the aggregate w/Armstrong, Basham, Fowler & Golston we should hopefully be ok. Or it can go to total crap, which if it does it won’t cost us that much money to get rid of these guys.
He’s always been at his best when someone better is drawing all the attention. Playing alongside Donald or playing alongside Campbell and Ngakoue. Maybe playing with Parsons and Lawrence will put him in a position to succeed again.
I agree. Much rather give Fowler $5M than dishing out $14M for Gregory. Wish they would’ve made it a 2 year offer with a voidable second year, but they need help with the pass rush.
Nobody said nothing about no $5 million dollars!
Dallas Cowboys website says: “Ironically enough, after the Cowboys could not retain Gregory just a few days ago in free agency, they’ve now turned to Fowler, who has agreed to terms on a 1-year deal with the Cowboys on Friday. The contract is reportedly worth about $5 million for the 2022 season.”
Gotta look at more than one website when this one doesn’t update the contract details after a few hours.
I wouldn’t worry too much Cowboys fans, this is also an excellent and deep draft for teams needing help off the edge. You can get solid rotational edge rushers in the 3rd and 4th rounds in the upcoming draft.
So, the Cowboys can have Lawrence and Fowler help mentor a 3rd-4th Round pick, and he will likely start either towards the middle to end of the season, if Fowler isn’t producing, or certainly by next season…
Couldn’t agree more. Sports writers and fans are screaming that Dallas is asleep at the wheel AGAIN! First off they aren’t even close to being done. This draft is Dallas friendly as there are deep positions that also correspond to team needs. Lastly. I look at it this way. 2021 was a ” Yawn” as Jimmy Johnsons Ghost texted. If the batch of players wernt hungry enough to win a single playoff game then out with the old and in with the new! Cooper was good but too expensive for production, Williams? Was caught holding more than a horny boy at the prom! Jarwin may never play again, Wilson was the teams 4th receiver! Collins turned into an attitude? Gregory was good but if suspension language in his contract was his problem so I’d say his focus wasn’t in the right place anyway? DENVER? seems clear where thats going! So relax. I suspect this week you’ll be able to come up for air!
Just don’t pay him much so he will “stay hungry.”