The Dallas Cowboys have some issues a linebacker after losing Dan Connor to the New York Giants in the offseason and Jerry Jones made a move to address that position on Tuesday, as the team signed former Detroit Lions linebacker Justin Durant.
According to ESPN.com, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that the Cowboys came to an agreement with Durant on a two-year deal, which will be completed when the team gets more cap space. The team is right up against the salary cap and still has to figure out the contract extension with Tony Romo as well as a deal with defensive end Anthony Spencer, which will help free up the cap space.
The team planned to bring in Durant and Will Allen as well as safety Michael Huff in for free agent visits and decided to stick with Durant. The team is just $102,000 under the salary cap and will get more relief once the other deal for Romo and Spencer go through. Durant is an experienced linebacker and played in 14 games last season while making 103 tackles, which ranked second on the team along with half-a-sack and three pass breakups.
The Cowboys would like to upgrade their linebackers through the draft and free agency, but most players have signed, including Dannell Ellerbe and Phillip Wheeler, while options like Karlos Dansby might be out of their price range due to the cap.
Brian Urlacher appeared to be an option for the Cowboys if they could sign him at a lower price than he was seeking, but the signing of Durant likely takes that away. Urlacher was with the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons before the two sides could not come to a new agreement, as the team offered a one-year, $2 million deal while the linebacker was looking for a one-year, $3.5 million contract.
Urlacher said the team gave an ultimatum to him, which is why the two sides parted ways. The linebacker missed time last season after dealing with a hamstring injury, playing in 12 games and making 68 tackles with an interception. The Pro Bowl linebacker has a number of options where he could sign, including with the San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys ranked 19th in passing yards allowed per game last season and allowed over 120 yards per game on the ground to opponents. The team needs more depth at a number of positions and could use the draft as well as free agency to address it.