Another Dallas Cowboys veteran is leaving for the Washington Commanders.
Just hours after the Commanders signed key Cowboys veterans like defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz, Dallas’ division rival is taking another one of their players. According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Commanders are signing pass rusher Dante Fowler.
“Free agent pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. plans to sign with the #Commanders, sources tell @BleacherReport,” said Schultz on Tuesday, March 12. “Dan Quinn continues to strengthen his defensive line.”
Dante Fowler’s Production Declined in 2023
The 29-year-old Fowler had spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys, originally signing as a free agent during the 2022 offseason. The former No. 3 overall pick’s signing meant a reunion with his former head coach with the Atlanta Falcons, Dan Quinn. While playing under Dallas’ then-defensive coordinator, Fowler recorded six sacks and 27 tackles in a productive reserve role during the 2022 season.
However, his production saw a significant decline in 2023 despite not seeing a major decrease in snaps. He recorded only 13 tackles along with four sacks this past season. Fowler appeared in 25% of the defensive snaps during the 2023 season compared to the 30% of the defensive snaps he played during the 2022 season.
Since joining the NFL as a high first-round draft pick in 2016, Fowler has shown flashes of greatness — he recorded 11.5 sacks with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2019 season — but he’s never really been consistent. He hasn’t started a game since the 2021 season and has recorded less than five sacks in five of his eight seasons in the league.
Across stints with the Cowboys, Rams, Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars, Fowler holds career totals of 45 sacks and 240 tackles in 125 games and 40 starts.
Fowler’s signing in Washington means Quinn — the new head coach in Washington — has now taken three of his former players from the Cowboys early on in free agency.
Armstrong — who recorded 7.5 sacks this past season and 8.5 sacks during the 2022 season — signed a three-year deal worth a maximum value of $45 million. Meanwhile, Biadasz — who had started over the past three seasons — signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Commanders.
Cowboys Outbid for Tony Pollard: Report
It looks like the Cowboys will be on the hunt for a new starting running back.
During the beginning of the NFL’s legal period for negotiations, Tony Pollard — who served as Dallas’ starter last season and was named to a Pro Bowl in 2022 — signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.
However, that wasn’t without the Cowboys attempting to bring Pollard back for another season. According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Dallas was involved in the Pollard sweepstakes, only to be outbid by the Titans.
“The Dallas Cowboys were in on RB Tony Pollard,” said Russini in a March 11 message on X. “The Giants and Vikings had their eye on him too. He took the bigger payday with Tennessee, per sources.”
Pollard didn’t do great in his first season as a starter, but he was durable and played in all 17 games while gaining 1,005 rushing yards and catching 55 passes. He had 307 total touches, which was the sixth highest in the league last season.
If the Cowboys had been able to keep Pollard, they probably would have paired him with a big complementary back from free agency or the draft.
Instead, Dallas will have to start over by either targeting one of the remaining veteran backs or selecting one in the 2024 NFL draft.
