The Dallas Cowboys acquired defensive back Kaiir Elam to replenish their secondary losses this offseason but he will have to prove himself within the confines of The Star after the team made their final decision on his rookie contract.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have concluded their major talent acquisition periods of the offseason. Multiple additions from the draft, free agency and through trade are set to compete for positioning on the depth chart starting in the coming weeks.
On the subject of trades, the Cowboys usually draw unnecessary headlines or make confounding decisions with those moves. Dallas had one that flew under the radar, bringing in Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills.
Elam, the son of former Cowboys' safety Abram Elam, hopes to replenish a secondary that has some questions heading into 2025. The Cowboys lost defensive glue guy Jourdan Lewis to free agency and the injury situation around Trevon Diggs has spiraled into a matter frustrating for both the player and his team.
The three-year pro last intercepted a pass in 2022, having allowed a passer rating of over 100.0 in his limited action the past two seasons. This makes for a classic Cowboys' attempt at reviving a young player.
But Dallas has taken a stance this week that will make him earn it.
The Cowboys will not be picking up the fifth-year option from his rookie contract. ... meaning the former Bills first-round pick will miss out on the opportunity to pocket about $12.7 million for playing in 2026.
Instead, Elam might be a starter this year ... and a free agent a year from now.
Based on his recent track record, that decision unfortunately makes sense from the franchise perspective. There is simply no reason for the Cowboys to commit to Elam at this point.
With Lewis gone and Diggs' availability uncertain, Elam will have the opportunity to make an impression in the Cowboys' secondary. .
For Elam, his fourth-year campaign will be all about translating that work ethic into results on the field.
