Latest Dallas Cowboys offseason news.
Cowboys agree to terms with Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator – Nick Harris, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys stuck with a familiar face, Mike Zimmer, as their new defensive coordinator.
Zimmer, 67, returns to Dallas, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2006 and as a defensive assistant for seven years, to assist Mike McCarthy, who is entering the fifth and final year of his contract with the team. do.
It took a few days for Zimmer to reach an agreement with the team, but the two sides were able to close a deal after Super Bowl weekend, when Jerry Jones and the front office traveled to Las Vegas.
After leaving Dallas in 2006, Zimmer served as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013 and as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021. He led the Vikings to the playoffs three times in eight seasons as head coach. That includes an appearance in the 2017 NFC Championship Game for him.
Zimmer has led to multiple top-5 total defensive seasons in each of his tenures as defensive coordinator or head coach, with the Cowboys ranking first and fourth in overall defense in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and the Bengals in 2013. took 3rd and 4th place. The Vikings finished first, third, and fourth in 2017, 2016, and 2018, respectively.
Is Mike Zimmer's whereabouts unclear? Don't be fooled, the Cowboys never hesitated in choosing DC – David Moore, DMN
It seemed like everyone, and their uncles, had a theory about how Zimmer's hire went awry, and Moore set the record straight.
Indeed, the Cowboys have entered into negotiations with Mike Zimmer to become the team's next defensive coordinator. But that was Thursday. Was there a problem? Was Rex Ryan involved in the process again?
Zimmer and the Cowboys settled everything on Monday by signing a contract. Don't be fooled by Ryan's public declarations. The Cowboys were never embarrassed by Zimmer, two people familiar with the club's thinking told the Dallas Morning News.
I never have.
This was simply a matter of working out the details of the contract to a point that both parties could accept.
But once I decided to pursue Zimmer, there was no turning back.
Now, does that mean owner Jerry Jones isn't going to use Ryan's interests as leverage to cut Zimmer to a more favorable contract when the two sides can't come to an immediate agreement? Or?
What do you think?
What to expect from Mike Zimmer's defense and the changes that will probably be made – Dan Rodgers, Blog the Boys
The Cowboys have a lot of talent that Zimmer can work with, but they will also need to add a new scheme to play right away this offseason.
So what should you realistically expect? Two things…
The defense could get off to a slow start until they start to figure things out. Expect disappointment early on.
The defense will be better. It might not be immediate, and it might not be as dominant as they were at one point during Quinn's tenure, but at least they'll be solid and probably more consistent.
But once we get there, some changes will occur, and those changes will be big. And we are not talking in a figurative sense, but in a literal sense. The Cowboys' defense will need to strengthen across the board. The most obvious is the linebacker stuff, which is this useless, mean pursuit machine that Quinn ran. I feel sorry for Marquez Bell, but I'm sure there are other position changes being considered. Expect the Cowboys to add bigger linebackers to the roster this season to help with the Double-A gap blitzes often seen in Zimmer's defense.our own David Howman did a great job on simulated pressure What this style produces, and Great video courtesy of PFF.
Bell moving to linebacker could be one of the changes down the road, but he could slide into the team's new strong safety spot. Jaylon Kearse is likely to leave in free agency, and Donovan Wilson lacks coverage skills. Remember, Bell is a converted safety and can be more effective getting closer to the pass catcher than getting around the blocker and getting closer to the ball carrier. Juane Thomas and Israel “Where Did You Go” Mukuamu should also join the list of candidates for the new strong safety spot. Look for the Cowboys to improve their coverage ability at the safety position beyond just Malik Hooker.
Bigger linebackers can help fend off offensive linemen running through the second level, but it would be great to have some leverage on the inside defensive line as well. The Cowboys acquired Madge Smith with a first-round pick a year ago, and his development will be huge in determining how successful the defense can be in the middle. But don't be surprised if the Cowboys go even bigger with another nose tackle through free agency or the draft, as they look for a player with a little more girth.
The Cowboys should look to rejuvenate and avoid veteran free agents while looking to win in the final year of Mike McCarthy's contract.
WR Mike Evans
When free agency officially opens on March 13th, it's very likely that Dallas will be in the wide receiver market. The Cowboys currently have some depth, but receivers Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks could both be cap casualties.
Releasing Gallup with a post-June 1 designation would save $9.5 million in cap space, and releasing Cooks with a post-June 1 designation would save $8 million in cap space.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans is coming off his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season and will be one of the big names on the market if Tampa lets him accomplish it.
However, Evans is also set to turn 31 in August and will likely be paid a hefty annual salary. His estimated market value is $23.8 million annually, but Dallas could only afford him on a backloading contract.
With CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott both coming up for contract extensions, they can't afford to spend big future salaries on Evans, who could only be a temporary addition at the receiver position anyway. .
Evans is still playing at an incredible level, but a scary cliff could hit the older receiver unexpectedly.
RB Ezekiel Elliott
“According to one source, the Cowboys may have agreed to bring Elliott back if they could get him for less than $3 million,” said Clarence Hill Jr. of the magazine. Fort Worth Star Telegram Reported in October.
However, Elliott signed with the New England Patriots and played the entire 2023 season with them. He will be a free agent in March, opening the proverbial door again, something Dallas should avoid.
Elliott had some bright moments with the Patriots, but it's clear his best days are behind him. The 28-year-old only averaged 3.5 yards per carry in New England and hasn't averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry since 2021.
Even on a low-budget contract, Elliott isn't good enough as a runner to give Dallas the offensive balance it needs. The Cowboys may still try to bring him back in free agency, but they should avoid signing Elliott.
15-year trends the Cowboys should follow in their 2024 running back – Shane Taylor, Inside the Star
The Cowboys are getting a fresh start at running back.
cowboys options
Depending on the market for Tony Pollard, the Cowboys should consider letting him play and making the position cheaper.
Ezekiel Elliott has a $6.04 million cap charge for the Cowboys' 2024 season, so Dallas has no choice but to look for something more manageable away from Pollard.
Trey Benson of Florida State is my first choice.
He's 6-foot-1 and 225, but moves like he weighs 190 pounds. From what I've seen of some of his videos, he has great quickness against power backs.
His receiving ability is above average, but they don't need him to be CMC. Dallas could use what's still under contract or find a cheaper player like Marlon Mack or someone similar.
2024 NFL Mock Draft Round 3: Giants take Michigan WR Roman Wilson in third round – Chad Reuter, NFL.com
A mock draft gives McCarthy, a second-year recruit to the Cowboys' offensive line, a number of additions.
choose twenty four: Troy FautanuWashington OT Sr.
Forget about Fautanu's size. He can tackle in the NFL. His lateral movement, hip flex, and anchor should allow him to fill in for Tyron Smith if the veteran doesn't re-sign in 2024.
choose 56: Jalen Wright Tennessee RB Jr.
choose 87 cedric van plan grangerGeorgia C. Jr. (RS)
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