The Dallas Cowboys free agency will be under more scrutiny than ever this year. The team has gained a reputation, and not a good one, and everybody will be watching to see if they actually spend money this time around.
Micah Parsons has said he will take less money, so the front office can “attack” free agency, and this new coaching staff needs roster reinforcements.
Right now, we don’t know if the team will join the rest of the league and sign some free agents this year, but we can start to build a list of guys that make sense for Dallas to pursue this offseason.
At the top of that list may be a recently released Chicago Bear with deep connections to the Cowboys’ new Defensive Coordinator, Matt Eberflus.
Let’s take a look at this player, and what it would mean for Dallas to sign him.
The Player: DeMarcus Walker, Defensive End
On Friday, the Bears announced they were cutting veteran DeMarcus Walker, a starter on the defensive line since they signed him in 2023.
Eberflus brought Walker in because he fit the scheme there perfectly, and things worked out pretty well for the former Florida State Seminole. He never missed a game as a member of the Chicago Bears.
Walker also exploded statistically. He’s never had two years with more tackles, tackles for loss, or quarterback hits than he had in Chicago.
In total, he ended up with 77 tackles, 32 quarterback hits, and nine sacks in 34 games.
Needless to say, he fits the Eberflus scheme pretty well, and it might be smart to stay within it as he enters his age-31 season. That is where the Cowboys free agency plans come into the equation.
With DeMarcus Lawrence likely to depart, Dallas has a major need on the defensive line, and Walker’s production could be the perfect replacement.
He is also getting up there in age, so the money shouldn’t be too lofty.
If the Cowboys could get those same statistics this coming season for a one-year deal, it would be a no-brainer for this front office.
The Why: Eberflus’ Defensive Influence
If there is a world where the Cowboys spend money this offseason, you have to imagine Matt Eberflus’ thoughts will be heavily considered for defensive players.
If that’s the case, I am willing to bet he’ll try to sell the front office on DeMarcus Walker.
The best thing the team can do to smooth the transition from Dan Quinn, to Mike Zimmer, to Eberflus in three years is to bring in guys who know him and the way he likes to run things defensively.
It’s the same reason I think Dallas will take a long look at former Bears Defensive Tackle, Byron Cowart.
There are major holes defensively for the Cowboys, and they may expand with some key departures this offseason. If they want to start patching things up, the way to do it is by signing players who won’t need time to adjust.
Walker both fits that mold and has some legitimate talent. The numbers don’t lie, this guy can produce.
The Bottom Line: The Fit Makes Sense, Does The Money?
The point here is clear: DeMarcus Walker’s fit in Dallas makes sense.
Additionally, Matt Eberflus’ influence could make it even stronger, but it’s up to the front office to put up the money for it.
Nothing changes if nothing changes, and if Jerry Jones continues to delay the Cowboys free agency class until the spring, some smart team will sign Walker first.
This coaching staff deserves a chance to compete, and the organization can showcase that they are serious about providing one by making an early signing or two, and this may be the perfect one.