The Dallas Cowboys thought they found their starting 3-tech defensive tackle when they signed Gerald McCoy to a three-year, $18.3 million dollar deal last March. Unfortunately, he never played a significant snap in Dallas due to a ruptured quadricep muscle and was released in August.
There’s been momentum for a reunion between McCoy and the Cowboys since the 2020 season ended. Back in January, Patrik Walker of CBS Sports reported that the Cowboys were interested in bringing back McCoy, with the decision ultimately left to new Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn’s assessment. Now, Mike Fisher of Sports Illustrated recently mentioned that there’s mutual interest between McCoy and the organization in running it back in 2021.
McCoy has been one of the best interior defensive linemen since entering the NFL in 2010. The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro registered at least five sacks from 2012 to 2019. If he were to be brought back, and assuming he’s fully recovered, he’ll be a huge addition to a defense that was 31st against the run in 2020. Neville Gallimore showed promise as a rookie and will see his role increase in 2021, but with Trysten Hill suffering a torn ACL last October, bringing McCoy back makes even more sense.
Even with his injury setback, McCoy has made an impact on the Cowboys locker room and the city of Dallas. Immediately after his surgery, he mentioned that he’d still mentor the young players on the Cowboys roster. One of the beneficiaries of that was Gallimore who McCoy communicated with via Facetime. Recently, the 11-year veteran donated $20,000 to multiple women’s shelters in the Dallas area through his Patricia Diane Foundation due to the effects of the winter storm that hit the city a few weeks ago.
A defensive line with Gallimore, Hill, and McCoy will give the Cowboys a solid presence upfront. When you’re good on the line of scrimmage your linebackers are free to roam and make plays and it also cuts down on the amount of time your defensive backs have to cover with consistent pressure on the quarterback.
McCoy is 33 years of age so the days of Pro Bowl/All-Pro level play might be behind him. However, if he’s anything close to what he’s been for the better part of the last decade the Cowboys immediately become better on the defensive line and his mentorship of Gallimore and Hill will be huge in their progression.
Only time will tell if McCoy and the Cowboys run it back in 2021. The relationship between both sides has remained solid which gives it a good chance of happening.
