dallas — Unfortunately, it won't make national headlines, but the Dallas Cowboys' decision to agree to terms with CJ Goodwin on Thursday is both a worthy and underrated move. . The longtime special teams ace joins fellow cornerback Jordan Lewis in a bid to reunite with Dan Quinn and buck the trend of Cowboys players leaving for the Washington Commanders.
But more than that, Goodwin suffered a torn pectoral muscle in October, ending his 2023 season, and he returned to help rebuild a special teams corps that suffered a major setback during his absence.
After officially signing his new contract, Goodwin drove nearly 45 minutes to attend the Youth Works/Mercy Chefs ribbon-cutting ceremony in South Dallas. Youth Works/Mercy Chefs is a charity organization dedicated to feeding underprivileged youth in Dallas and natural disaster areas around the world. (e.g. the recent wildfires that affected the Texas Panhandle).
He talked about the importance of community service and how it motivates him.
“We feel like it's our responsibility when it comes to our platform, especially the Dallas Cowboys,” said Goodwin, who is also president of the PeGa Foundation in his home state of West Virginia. “We have a responsibility to give back to our community, and it's an honor. I'm honored to be a part of the Cowboys organization and give back.”
It is this type of leadership and character that further enhances Goodwin's on-field ability, making him one of the more valuable players on the entire roster from all angles.
Goodwin, who is in his seventh season with Dallas after being plucked from the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad in 2018, shares his feelings on his latest contract as the team continues to show how important he is to its success. I couldn't contain my excitement. .
“I'm really happy to be a part of the Cowboys,” he said with a big smile. “I've been a Cowboys fan since I was a kid, and now I'm living that dream. Sometimes I wake up and have to pinch myself. I can't believe it.”
But what happens to those aforementioned former teammates who brought their talents to the manager's side? Well, Goodwin has a view on that, too. And no, there are no sour grapes involved. He understands that it's a business and it's always solved on the ground anyway.
On the latter point, Goodwin, still smiling, offered his take on the escape.
“Yeah, it's a little weird, but then they're going to be our enemy, yeah, but we're going to talk to them after the game, after we beat them,” the veteran defensive back said. said. “It's part of the game.”
But before we get to that point, we need to get back to full health. The great news, as Goodwin explains, is that not only is he expected to be ready this summer, but he will also be ready this spring.
“Oh, yeah, I'm almost ready,” he said when asked if he would be able to come off the PUP (physically unable to perform) list heading into training camp. “Honestly, I'm ready for the OTAs. It was an unfortunate incident, but it's a recoverable injury and I'm going to come back even better.”
“I'm looking forward to it.”
He will work to get back on the field in the coming weeks, but will return under the supervision of both special teams coordinator John “Bones” Fassel and newly returned defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. This will be the fourth coordinator he will learn from. This was during Goodwin's time with the Cowboys.
But it's no secret that Zimmer is a different kind of coach. He was a Super Bowl winner during the Cowboys' storied dynasty and is still a very old-school ball coach, even if he's adapted a bit.
Goodwin says that's exactly why he's qualified for the 2024 job.
“I think he brings a sense of responsibility,” he said of Zimmer's addition. “I hear about him, but this year he's going to hold us accountable, and that's what we need, as someone who's been around for a long time.” [the league] For a while, [I know that] I think the accountability is huge and that could be a scale changer. ”
And, needless to say, re-signing Goodwin does just that for Fassel, and the addition of the former would create one of the best special teams units in the NFL.
Tilt the scale in the right direction.
