Dallas Cowboys News & Rumors

Cowboys Executive Speaks On Free Agent WR Odell Beckham Jr.

As free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continues to work his way back from the ACL injury that ended his first appearance in the Super Bowl after only a quarter and a half, rumors have run rampant on where his next destination will be. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones spoke recently on the NFL’s Sirius XM channel about the desire he has to bring Beckham to Dallas, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

Jones, much like his father, Cowboys owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones, double dips in his duties serving not only as vice president but as CEO and director of player personnel for the team, as well. Therefore, the younger Jones’ comments on Beckham hold some weight, as he does have input on the team’s personnel decisions. “It’s hard not to imagine how a healthy OBJ could really help us out,” Jones told the show. “He did that for the Rams last year.”

Jones is referring to the impact Beckham made for Los Angeles after signing with the Rams at this point in the season (on this exact day, to be specific) last year. After six fairly unproductive games with the Browns to start the 2021 season, Beckham was excused from two practices before the two parties agreed to separate, leading Cleveland to eventually waive the three-time Pro Bowler.

Beckham took some time deciding where he would sign before eventually joining the Rams. After failing to amass a single touchdown and only gaining 232 yards through six weeks with the Browns, Beckham found a role with the Rams, who had just lost Robert Woods for the season to an ACL tear of his own. In the final eight games of the season, Beckham caught 27 balls for 305 yards and five touchdowns.

Beckham’s effectiveness continued in the Rams’ run to the Super Bowl, catching 19 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown in the three games leading up to the season finale. Beckham even left his mark in the Super Bowl, opening the game’s scoring with a 17-yard touchdown catch before being forced to exit the game with two receptions for 52 yards and the lone touchdown.

The 2021 Rams were already seeing success before Beckham arrived with a 7-2 start to the season. After he arrived, they finished the season 5-3 in the last eight games, including a five-game win streak, before going undefeated in the postseason. The 2022 Cowboys are similarly seeing success at 6-2 so far this year despite only seeing three games from starting quarterback Dak Prescott. The rest of their schedule holds some challenges that adding Beckham could assist with. After their bye week, the Cowboys head to Green Bay to face a down Packers team, but the Packers always seem to find a way to break Dallas hearts. After that they’ll face a strong Vikings squad before finishing out their division race which includes games against the surprising Giants and undefeated Eagles.

The Cowboys defense and rushing offense have really helped the team succeed so far this year. One of the biggest perceived holes on the team has been the presence of receiving options behind top pass-catcher CeeDee Lamb. Lamb leads the team with 42 catches for 556 yards and three touchdowns. With the departure of Amari Cooper, free agent addition James Washington on injured reserve, and Michael Gallup still getting back to 100% after his own ACL tear from late last season, the Cowboys have turned to former seventh-round pick Noah Brown as their second option at wide receiver. Brown has certainly contributed with 25 receptions for 339 yards and a touchdown, but his 39 targets are fewer that Lamb’s receptions-total and nearly half of Lamb’s target-share.

Dallas can depend on Lamb to lead the pass-catching group. The tight ends contribute with Dalton Schultz as a provider of production in the offense and Jake Ferguson proving effective in the red zone with two touchdown receptions this season. Running back Tony Pollard provides an effective pass-catching option out of the backfield with 12 catches and 121 receiving yards of his own. Adding Beckham to this group as the second receiver opposite Lamb could pay huge dividends for this offense that recently got Prescott back behind center.

Realistically, the odds of landing Beckham were something that Jones put into perspective. “(Beckham) can go wherever he wants, but we want to make our compelling case,” Jones said. He didn’t dismiss the idea of offering Beckham a multi-year deal, a larger commitment than the one-year contract the Rams gave Beckham last year. “At the end of the day, it’s about business, as well, so we’ll just roll up our sleeves and see if there’s an opportunity to put a star on Odell’s helmet.”

Poll: Who Will Sign Odell Beckham Jr.?

In what will be a key point not only on Odell Beckham Jr.‘s rehab timeline but perhaps in this year’s Super Bowl chase as well, the standout wide receiver is expected to be fully cleared for football work soon. Around nine months after suffering his second ACL tear, Beckham will be ready to practice for his new team. Who will that team be?

A free agent of this caliber is rarely available at this point in the season. Whichever team signs Beckham will see its skill-position corps receive a stretch-run jolt. However, injury concerns and Beckham’s desire for a multiyear contract complicate this unique chase. Beckham’s Browns stay also showed how adding him can backfire in a poor fit, injecting some risk into his 2022 equation. That said, teams pursuing him will be doing so based off his quick-impact Rams stay. The Rams needed OBJ to reach Super Bowl LVI. Despite the steady run of injuries that date back to his Giants days, that will be what drives a signing.

Rams connections overshadowed every other team’s Beckham ties for most of the offseason. Everyone from Les Snead to Sean McVay to Kevin Demoff expressed optimism Beckham would return to Los Angeles. With the Rams 3-5 and ranking 31st offensively, they do not appear the favorites any longer. The Rams ($4.2MM in cap space) have received little from their skill positions beyond Cooper Kupp; Beckham would boost the sinking contender’s cause. This franchise has also made a habit of landing big fish.

If he is eyeing a multiyear commitment, going back to an offense he knows well would make sense. Then again, Beckham expressed disappointment in the Rams’ previous offer. Although Sean McVay said last month the team had not made its best proposal yet, will such an offer come given the defending Super Bowl champions’ current state?

The Cowboys ($6.9MM in cap space) may have taken over as the OBJ favorites. Dallas cornerstones like Micah Parsons and Ezekiel Elliott are recruiting him. More importantly, Jerry Jones appears to be as well. In discussing OBJ’s market with NFL personnel, Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed came away with the Cowboys as the frontrunners here.

Beckham, 30, would slot in alongside CeeDee Lamb as the Cowboys’ top weapons. Dallas’ auxiliary troops have not shown too much this season. Of course, Dak Prescott‘s injury contributed to the limited production from Dalton Schultz and Michael Gallup. And the Cowboys just signed a player coming off a December ACL tear (Gallup). While they appear ready to gamble on Beckham, that partnership will mean Lamb’s complementary pieces will each be fresh off ACL rehab. But the Cowboys may have their best Super Bowl opportunity since 2016, when they claimed the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The team may be on its way to the No. 5 seed this year, but a dominant pass rush has changed its equation compared to recent years.

The team viewed as the second-likeliest to add Beckham, per Kyed, the Bills are not as well-versed in attracting free agents. But Josh Allen‘s ascent has changed the franchise’s trajectory. Von Miller making the atypical decision to choose Buffalo over L.A. could bring Beckham to follow suit. Miller has been banging this drum for months. Earlier this season, the Bills were not viewed as a key player in this market. With Jamison Crowder (fractured ankle) out of the picture and the Bills encountering more defensive injuries, has that changed?

Beckham is believed to prefer a warm-weather city, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telgram, who adds the eight-year veteran would change his mind for “the right offer” (Twitter link). The Bills rarely have a market advantage over their competition, so needing to navigate that battle is not exactly new.

The three-time Pro Bowler also mentioned the Packers and a Giants reunion as possibilities. Neither of these would check the warm-weather box, but the Packers were in on Beckham in 2021 and have been mentioned as a suitor intermittently for the past several months. But Green Bay has dropped to 3-6. The NFL’s smallest-market franchise is also now going year to year with Aaron Rodgers. That status affected Davante Adams‘ interest in staying with the Packers. Green Bay needs Beckham more than Dallas, Buffalo or L.A., with Adams’ departure crushing the team’s receiving corps. Considering the Packers’ modern history with big-ticket free agents, Rodgers’ post-2022 plans, and the team’s 2022 performance, this might be a tough sell.

Giants GM Joe Schoen said Beckham would be considered, but he did not meet with the Jerry Reese-era draftee when he visited following Sterling Shepard‘s injury. Like just about every team Beckham is considering, the Giants looked into Brandin Cooks and Jerry Jeudy before the trade deadline. The Giants may need an impact receiver more than the Packers, who at least roster Allen Lazard. No Giants wideout has totaled more than 250 yards. Their leading receiver, Darius Slayton, spent the offseason in Brian Daboll‘s doghouse.

Big Blue came into this season on a rebuilding track. The team was not viewed as likely to consider trading even a Day 2 pick for a wideout, and it traded a talented but injury-prone receiver (Kadarius Toney). This is not the regime that traded Beckham to Cleveland, but would Schoen be willing to sign the injury-prone vet beyond 2022?

The Vikings and Chiefs were also mentioned as Beckham suitors, but each made moves ahead of the deadline. Each team gave up Day 2 capital — for T.J. Hockenson and Toney, respectively — for weaponry already. Kansas City looked into Cooks as well and was in the OBJ mix last year. Given the Chiefs’ arms race with the Bills, they probably cannot be fully ruled out.

Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this rare in-season market in the comments section.

Injury Updates: Cowboys, Vikings, Steelers, Seahawks

Ezekiel Elliott is expected back this weekend. After the star running back missed Week 8, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he expects Elliott to be back on the field against the Packers on Sunday, per Jon Machota of The Athletic (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Elliott himself told Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that his knee is getting better and the swelling has decreased (Twitter link). If the RB does return this weekend, he acknowledged that he’ll wear a knee brace.

Elliott has started each of his seven appearances this season. While his 63.3 rushing yards per game is about on-par with his recent performance, his yards-per-touch is currently a career-low mark (4.1). Backup Tony Pollard showed up when he earned an opportunity to start prior to the bye, finishing with 131 rushing yards on 14 carries. Despite the numbers, Jones made it clear that he’s sticking with Elliott atop the depth chart.

“There’s no argument,” Jones recently said of replacing Elliott as the starting RB. “Zeke’s ability to punish, Zeke’s ability to deliver, Zeke’s ability, what he does for us in pass protection, and, frankly, Zeke’s ability to make big plays are there, and we’re going to go as Zeke goes. I really mean he’s that integral to our success this year.”

Some more injury notes from around the NFL…

  • Meanwhile, Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith is about two or three weeks away from returning to practice, Stephen Jones recently said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News on Twitter). If Smith requires his entire three-week window to get back into game shape, then the lineman could be eyeing a late-December return. The veteran offensive lineman suffered a hamstring injury during training camp that’s sidelined him for the first chunk of the season.
  • While Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. landed on injured reserve earlier this month thanks to an ankle issue, the injury likely won’t require surgery, coach Kevin O’Connell said (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter). Smith Jr. hasn’t started a game yet this season but has put up his standard numbers, hauling in 22 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns through seven games.
  • Damontae Kazee is expected to be activated off IR this week, and the Steelers safety provided some information on the injury that’s knocked him out for the first few months of the season. In addition to breaking his whole forearm, Kazee also suffered a dislocated wrist that “popped back into place during surgery,” per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor on Twitter. When he next takes the field, he’ll be armed with a padded brace to protect his arm. Kazee joined the Steelers this past offseason after starting 15 games for the Cowboys in 2021. Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged how much veterans like Kazee and trade-deadline acquisition William Jackson III will help the defense. “Anytime you get veteran presences, it is an asset to you,” Tomlin said (via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic). “Been-there, done-that guys, and those guys are that.”
  • Seahawks linebacker/special teams ace Cullen Gillaspia injured his knee on Sunday and will need surgery, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). Fortunately, the injury isn’t as bad as initially feared, but Gillaspia is still expected to be sidelined for some time. The former seventh-round pick joined the Seahawks practice squad back in September, but he’s since appeared in six games while playing the majority of Seattle’s special teams snaps.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/9/22

Today’s practice squad moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/22

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

San Francisco 49ers

Adams, Dulin, Ellefson, Galeai, Washington and Willis each have until Nov. 30 to be activated from IR. Should they not be activated, they would revert to season-ending IR. The Colts and Vikings are in solid shape regarding activations, having only used one apiece. The Bears, Cardinals, 49ers and Packers have used three such moves apiece. Teams are allotted eight injury activations this season.

The Cowboys dangled Basham in trades before last week’s deadline, but no takers emerged. While the team cut the other D-lineman they were hoping to deal — Trysten Hill, who has since been claimed by the Cardinals — they ended up using one of their injury activations on Basham. A former Colts third-round pick, Basham notched 3.5 sacks during his first Cowboys season last year. He played in one game this season (Week 1) before going down with a quadriceps injury. The Cowboys, who have Tyron Smith and James Washington on their IR-return radar, have used two injury activations this season.

Jerry Jones Addresses Cowboys-OBJ Fit

With the Rams’ lead in the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes looking to have slipped, this appears to be a more wide-open market. The star wideout’s second straight midseason free agency bid is now believed to include the Bills, Cowboys, Packers and Giants. Other teams have been connected to the eight-year veteran, but Beckham named those four in a recent interview.

The Cowboys pursued Brandin Cooks, Jerry Jeudy and other wide receivers before the trade deadline, discussing the former with the Texans up until the end of 2022 trading. No deal emerged, keeping the door open for Beckham, who has said he is a “huge fan” of Mike McCarthy‘s. Jerry Jones did nothing to suppress any OBJ-to-Dallas rumors Tuesday.

Odell is someone that we have all the appreciation in the world for what he is as a competitor,” Jones said during his latest 105.3 The Fan segment (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota, on Twitter). “I know the Cowboys star on that helmet when he puts it on could look pretty good.”

Despite coming off a stretch of two ACL tears in 15 months, Beckham is believed to be seeking a multiyear deal rather than another one-year pact that would provide a springboard into free agency. Had Beckham, 30, not suffered his latest tear in Super Bowl LVI, he would have commanded a lucrative deal on this year’s market. The injury has created another post-deadline frenzy. This one figures to involve more cash compared to OBJ’s one-year, $1.25MM Rams deal, which featured a collected $3MM incentive package.

We should be aware that he’s coming off this injury, but showed he can do it and do it well last year,” Jones said. “So that would go in the mix real good. His past dealing with adversity of injury rehab, I think that tells you a lot.

I think a veteran player, such as Odell, my experience has been when we’ve brought a veteran player in, they hit the ground running in terms of being able to compete. That usually is not a big favor when we think about whether or not a player can fit. … I think that you’re looking at a player that his experience far outweighs any of that ambiguity involved in how he’s going to fit in your system.”

Dallas re-signed Michael Gallup on a five-year, $57.5MM deal this offseason but has not seen its No. 2 wideout fully recapture his pre-ACL-tear form. Adding a player in the final stages of a similar process would be interesting for the Cowboys, but they do not have other good outside options here. Cooks and the Texans are believed to be recommitting for at least this season’s remainder; Houston sought second- and fourth-round picks for Beckham’s draft classmate. The Cowboys joined the Rams and the rest of the interested parties in balking at that price, with Cooks’ $18MM 2023 guarantee too rich for the NFC East squad’s blood. The Broncos were seeking at least a second-round pick for Jeudy; it does not appear the Cowboys offered that.

Big offers clearly have not come in for Beckham, who expressed disappointment with the Rams’ proposal. While Sean McVay said the defending champions had not made their best offer, their surprising offensive struggles leading to a 3-5 record may make them a lesser threat compared to the 2021 sweepstakes. Green Bay, which joined Dallas in pursuing multiple wideouts (Chase Claypool, D.J. Moore) at the deadline, being 3-6 also could interfere with a Beckham agreement. Aaron Rodgersyear-to-year status affected Davante Adams‘ plans; it would not surprise if Beckham considered that as well.

The Cowboys saw Amari Cooper help their 2018 edition go from 3-5 to the divisional round. Beckham showed last season he can make a quick impact; he is coming off a 288-yard, two-touchdown postseason. As OBJ moves closer to being full-go, the Cowboys will likely be in the mix until the end of these sweepstakes. It will be interesting to see what kind of deals are being proposed, as this is one of the more complicated free agency derbies in recent memory.

Odell Beckham Jr. Narrowing List Of Potential Destinations?

With his return now seen as imminent, attention is increasingly being paid to Odell Beckham Jr. The free agent wideout represents a potentially sizeable addition for contending teams, especially those which were unable to acquire pass-catchers before the trade deadline.

A number of potential suitors have been reported in recent days and weeks. The list of landing spots was topped throughout the offseason by the Rams, but other NFC teams including the Packers and Vikings have shown interest as well. A reunion with the Giants – the team with which the 30-year-old spent the first five years of his career – could be in play as well. In the AFC, the Bills and Chiefs have been the source of varying reports of pursuit.

When speaking on the Complex Sports podcast recently, Beckham specifically named four teams while discussing his next destination: the Bills, Packers, Giants and Cowboys (video link). Whether it’s Buffalo, Green Bay calling, the Cowboys, [a] reunion with the Giants, I want to [spend] these next three or four years in a place I can call home,” he said – a reference to his desire for a multi-year contract, as opposed to his short-term stint with the Rams last year.

The Cowboys emerged as a suitor just yesterday, as the team eyes the only major addition it could make at the WR position after no trades could be finalized ahead of the deadline. When speaking to the media today, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Dallas is indeed doing its due diligence on the three-time Pro Bowler.

“I have always been a huge fan of his,” he said, via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-TelegramAll the guys from the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, all the guys have nothing but great things to say about him. I have always been so impressed with his football playing ability. I have heard so many excellent things about him over the years.” 

McCarthy was quick to add, however, that nothing is imminent with respect to a signing – something which could come in the next few days, as Beckham is expected to be medically cleared by the end of the week. A potential bidding war could ensue for his services, considering his production late last year, which would allow him to narrow in even further on his desired landing spot.

Cowboys Interested In Odell Beckham Jr., Made Offer For Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy

11:31am: Jay Glazer of FOX Sports says Beckham’s return to full strength will happen closer to the mid-November timeframe that had been floated for some time. Per Glazer, Beckham is expected to be fully cleared within the next week (Twitter link).

08:16am: The Cowboys made an effort to improve their WR corps in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline, including an attempt to acquire Texans wideout Brandin Cooks. Cooks was not the only receiver Dallas was interested in, and though the deadline has passed, there is still one high-profile pass catcher on the team’s radar, as Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report.

That player, of course, is Odell Beckham Jr., who is a popular name on the NFL rumor mill for the second consecutive November. Last year, it was a midseason divorce with the Browns that led to an OBJ free agent frenzy, which ultimately concluded with the three-time Pro Bowler signing with the Rams. Beckham then tore his ACL in Super Bowl LVI and has been without an employer since his contract with Los Angeles expired.

That is largely because Beckham has not been healthy enough to take the field. Reports have consistently maintained he would be ready to return to game action this month, so we fully expected contending clubs — especially those that did not land a receiver at the deadline — to ramp up their pursuit of Beckham right about now. The Rams have acknowledged since the offseason that they would be interested in a reunion, and that is presumably still the case since LA also missed out on Cooks and has gotten little production from offseason acquisition Allen Robinson. The Bills, Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings are also in the mix, and the Giants could be a factor as well.

Rapoport and Garafolo do note that, contrary to earlier reporting on the matter, Beckham is not expected to be at full strength and under contract until early December. That delay does not appear to be much of a concern, as one of the reasons the Cowboys did not overpay in a trade for a receiver is because the team believed it would have a chance to sign Beckham. Dallas has not yet talked contract with OBJ’s camp but has monitored his recovery closely.

In addition to Cooks, the Cowboys also made an offer for Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, per the NFL.com duo. Denver fielded a number of calls on its former first-rounder, and GM George Paton was said to be holding out for a Round 2 selection. Teams clearly did not meet that asking price, as Jeudy stayed put. Nonetheless, it is clear that the Cowboys, who have posted a 6-2 record despite playing five of their eight games without Dak Prescott, are serious about adding another weapon to Prescott’s arsenal.

According to Rapoport and Garafolo, Beckham wants a multi-year deal. It would be somewhat surprising to see him land such an accord given his recent injury history, though the sheer number of suitors could help him in achieving that goal. On the other hand, if he joins a team for only the remainder of the 2022 campaign and performs as well as he did with the Rams prior to the ACL tear, he will be in line for a much larger payday in the offseason.

Latest On Cowboys’ Trade Deadline WR Pursuit

The Cowboys ended up keeping their wide receiver corps intact as this week’s trade deadline came and went, despite their reported interest in making an addition at the position. That had them connected with one player in particular, but the team cast a wide net in seeking trade partners.

Dallas was listed amongst several teams calling the Texans about the availability of veteran speedster Brandin Cooks. That led to negotiations taking place deep into Tuesday afternoon, but no deal materialized. The $18MM in guaranteed money on Cooks’ deal next season proved too much to overcome (as was the case with other interested parties), along with Houston’s asking price.

Speaking about the Cowboys’ talks regarding other available wideouts, EVP Stephen Jones said, “You’re never there until you’re there. It was an intense day and [it] really felt like we had some things that might work out but unfortunately they didn’t and on several fronts we just weren’t able to get it done” (Twitter link via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

In the build-up to the deadline, it came out that the Cowboys were open to a move aimed at augmenting their receiving corps. The team has struggled to replace Amari Cooper since moving him out this offseason. CeeDee Lamb has made the expected transition to the Cowboys’ undisputed No. 1 wideout, but secondary production has been lacking. Dallas ranks 28th in the league in passing yards (201 per game), a figure skewed in part by the absence of quarterback Dak Prescott, of course, but one which also explains their interest in making an addition.

It remains unclear which receivers in particular the Cowboys were targeting at the deadline, one which saw the Bears acquire Chase Claypool from the Steelers, and Atlanta send Calvin Ridley to the Jaguars. The latter transaction was aimed exclusively at 2023 and beyond, but Dallas’ current receiving corps will be counted on in the second half of this campaign to carry the load offensively.

Cardinals Claim DT Trysten Hill

Trysten Hill did not make it to free agency. The former Cowboys second-round pick will head to Arizona, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicating (via Twitter) the Cardinals claimed his contract.

The Cards will take a flier on the fourth-year defensive tackle, whose rookie contract expires at season’s end. After acquiring Johnathan Hankins, the Cowboys did not view Hill as a keeper any longer. The Cowboys dangled Hill in trades for a stretch, but after no takers emerged, he hit the waiver wire.

Although he was a healthy scratch in Dallas’ Week 8 romp over Chicago, Hill worked as a part-time contributor on a deep defensive line this season. Hill, 24, was active for the Cowboys’ first seven games and logged a 29% snap rate during those contests. He has not started a game since being a Cowboys first-stringer five times in 2020. Those represent the Central Florida product’s only NFL starts. The Cowboys drafted Hill two defensive coordinators ago (Rod Marinelli); its current D-tackle cogs came in during Mike Nolan or Dan Quinn‘s DC tenures.

Arizona has a future Hall of Famer (J.J. Watt) and an ascending contract-year talent (Zach Allen) leading its defensive front. Only three other D-linemen — Leki Fotu, Jonathan Ledbetter and Michael Dogbe — reside on Arizona’s active roster, making some room for Hill to carve out a role. Hill did not do enough to stand out with the Cowboys; his Cardinals stay will help establish his free agency stock.