USAT: Cowboys Wire audio clip

USAT: Cowboys Wire

Feb 23, 2022

When the Dallas Cowboys signed safety Jayron Kearse to a one-year, $1.1 million contract, it’s safe to say they had no clue he would turn into one of the best players on the entire defense. That’s exactly what happened for the sixth-year veteran. - Kearse had a breakthrough season in his first year as a full-time starter and playing a linebacker-safety hybrid role, chipping in with 101 total tackles, two interceptions and nine tackles for loss. Kearse may command good money in free agency after an impressive “prove-it” season, but his eyes seemingly are fixed on a return to Dallas. - His return would be welcomed and Kearse spoke to 105.3 FM The Fan about a fellow returner in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. - “Getting Quinn back was a huge win, and it was one that was much needed, just to try your best to keep this group together,” Kearse said Tuesday. “Because the strides we’ve made in Year 1, it can give us a lot of upside going into Year 2 with guys being together, guys having camaraderie with each other. That’s the No. 1 win so far this offseason.” - There’s no doubt Quinn has imprinted on the defense in Dallas and it should pay dividends in free agency. Cowboys players or potential free agents see the improvement and it’ll be a big selling point for Stephen Jones and Will McClay. - For Dallas, this is one of the key players to sign in the 2022 season with limited cap space. Restructuring big contracts like quarterback Dak Prescott will open the window for more deals but Kearse’s words about the Cowboys’ keeping Quinn insinuates he may keep the Star on his helmet in 2022. - The Cowboys have a bunch of holes through the defensive back seven. At the safety position, Malik Hooker and Damontae Kazee are unrestricted free agents. With linebacker Jabril Cox coming back from an ACL tear, Keanu Neal and Leighton Vander-Esch are also free agents. Micah Parsons is the only linebacker definitively returning to a role, and he may be shifting to a more full-time responsibility as an edge rusher. - As a hybrid, Kearse can fill multiple holes as he did in 2021. - - List - - Cowboys News: Free-agent matchmaking, Jayron Kearse talks continuity - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Cowboys Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Cowboys Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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Mar 17, 2022