The Dallas Cowboys re-signed two of last year’s reserve defenders with expiring contracts. Linebacker Justin March-Lillard and Safety Darian Thompson have accepted one-year deals to return for 2019.
Thompson’s contract was reported at $720k next season. It should be a similar number for March-Lillard, who made $630k in 2018.
Darian was added last October off of the Cardinals’ practice squad. He was a third-round pick for the Giants in 2016 and was a 16-game starter in 2017, but was injured and lost the job the following offseason.
The Cowboys have a lot of bodies at safety already with Xavier Woods, Jeff Heath, Kavon Frazier, and other prospects. Fans are hoping for at least one more big name to be added in the next few weeks, and nothing about this move will limit that potential. Thompson is nothing more than an intriguing depth option with upside.
For Justin March-Lillard at linebacker, though, there could be more opportunity. Damien Wilson is a free agent and Sean Lee still isn’t guaranteed to return at his current salary cap hit, though the team has indicated it want to find a way to keep him.
As stated in Phillips’ tweet, March-Lillard was one of the top special teams players last year. He was active for all 16 games and has been with Dallas since the middle of 2017.
No, these aren’t the defensive moves you’re waiting to hear about. But while we’re all staring at March 13th on the calendar and those marquee free agents, the Cowboys have 90 roster spots to worry about this offseason.
