FRISCO - In short, the Dallas Cowboys and owner/general manager Jerry Jones have their work cut out for them this offseason.
As two division rivals - Philadelphia and Washington - faced each other in the NFC Championship game this year and the Eagles prepare to play in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Dallas has some catching up to do just to compete in the NFC East.
Jones and the Cowboys were conspicuously quiet in free agency, signing just one player—linebacker Eric Kendricks—to a one-year deal. The results of Dallas' lack of moves in the offseason were clear: The Cowboys struggled to a 7-10 record and fell out of relevance in the NFL standings.
It's unlikely Dallas will repeat those mistakes, but it should be diligent in making moves to contend once again in the East and the league.
One area the team needs to focus on is widely considered to be on defense at linebacker. And Pro Football Focus thinks it knows who the Cowboys should target - and he's already familiar with the NFC East.
"With Eric Kendricks potentially departing in free agency, Wagner stands out as another strong veteran leader that the Cowboys can bring in to replace him this offseason," PFF wrote. "Wagner is reaching the end of his NFL career and likely hopes to join a roster that will compete in 2025. Ideally, the Cowboys can be aggressive enough in free agency, which includes adding him to the lineup, that they can deliver on that potential.
"DeMarvion Overshown looked like a great long-term option for Dallas this past season, but another significant injury puts his 2025 at risk and creates a need for a one-year linebacker to come in and hold things down until he can get healthy."
After 13 seasons in the league, Wagner is still a force to be reckoned with. Across 202 career games including 200 starts, the Utah State product is the NFL's active leader in tackles with 1,838 including 1,071 solo and 99 for loss, 13 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries and 35 sacks.
The 34-year-old won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks in 2013. He's a six-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Second-Team All-Pro, a 10-time Pro Bowler, and led the NFL in tackles three times.
Last season, his first in Washington, Wagner started all 17 regular-season games and posted 132 tackles with 75 solo, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two sacks in another Pro Bowl season.
Worth noting: Wagner signed in DC in part to reunite with Dan Quinn, his former Seattle coordinator (and of course Dallas’ ex-top aide, too.)
Would Wagner be a good fit in Dallas? Wagner would be a good fit anywhere.
