The Dallas Cowboys will meet with former Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Dan Quinn twice a year for the time being. With several Cowboys scheduled to test free agency, some former teammates, especially Dante Fowler Jr., could join Quinn on the manager's sideline.
“From college to the pros, Dante Fowler has a long history with Quinn and will be able to follow him to Washington the same way he did in Dallas,” Boyz's Brian Martin blogged on February 6. I'm writing this. He had 4.0 and 6.0 QB sacks over the past two seasons with the Cowboys. He will add much-needed depth to the managers and will come relatively cheap considering his recently signed contract. ”
Fowler, 29, signed back-to-back, one-year, $3 million contracts in 2022 and 2023 after spending the first six years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons.
Armstrong, 26, will also become a free agent after spending six years with the Cowboys.
According to a January article by Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com, Armstrong “looks to combine a strong year on the field with a big contract this offseason.” As a pass rusher who has shown consistency and reliability over the past two seasons, Armstrong could be in line for a payday. ”
Armstrong is No. 85 on Pro Football Focus' ranking of the top 150 free agents, and Fowler is not on the list.
Dante Fowler Jr. Dallas Time
Fowler, who entered the NFL as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, has been around the block. It's no exaggeration to say he was never a star player in the NFL. However, he was a useful pass rusher.
Entering the 2020 season, Fowler was looking for a team. Quinn, who coached Fowler at the University of Florida, was the head coach of the Falcons at the time and signed him. And when Quinn was waived before the 2021 offseason and then hired by Dallas, Fowler pursued him again in 2022.
In his two years in Dallas, Fowler totaled 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. Although he never started, he did not miss a game in 2022 and 2023. This is an ideal situation for a rotation player.
Cowboys could bring back Mike Zimmer
With Quinn entrenched in Washington, the Cowboys are still looking for their next DC. One name confirmed to interview is former Minnesota Vikings head coach and longtime Dallas DC Mike Zimmer.
NFL media official Tom Pelissero first reported the news on February 6th.
“The Cowboys are interviewing former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer today for the defensive coordinator position, according to sources.” Pelissero wrote about X.
Zimmer has had a lot of success in the NFL since his first stint in Dallas. Although his Vikings teams fell short of making the Super Bowl, he led Minnesota to three playoff appearances.
His tenure as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator lasted from 1999 to 2006. While Zimmer might make sense given his familiarity with owner Jerry Jones and the organization, he's been out of the NFL for two full years. He spent 2022 at Jackson State with Deion Sanders and was not hired as a coach during the 2023 season.
