While their 2022 offseason hasn’t been pretty so far, the Cowboys were able to keep one of their more underrated players from last season. Dallas has re-signed Defensive End Dorance Armstrong to a two-year, $13 million contract.
Armstrong is coming off a career year with five sacks in 13 games. He was third on the team in sacks behind Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory in addition to making some key special teams plays throughout 2021.
The Cowboys strong desire to retain Gregory went unsatisfied as Randy, after agreeing to a contract with Dallas, backed out and instead signed with the Denver Broncos. Other top pass rushers such as Von Miller and Chandler Jones have since come off the board as well.
But while Gregory will receive $14 million per season in Denver, Armstrong is getting a little less than half that amount to stay in Dallas. Last year Dorance only had one less sack than Randy and turns just 25 this June, while Gregory hits 30 in November.
The Cowboys acquired Armstrong four years ago with a 4th-Round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Dallas has also re-signed WR Michael Gallup from that class and placed the franchise tag on TE Dalton Schultz. The future of 1st-Round pick Leighton Vander Esch, still a free agent, has yet to be determined.
Guard Connor Williams and WR Cedrick Wilson, also from the 2018 Draft, have both signed with the Miami Dolphins as free agency opened this week.
Having played for three different defensive coordinators since arriving in Dallas, Armstrong should find comfort in a second season with Dan Quinn. With more opportunities and a potential starting role, Dorance could easily set some new career highs in 2022.
However, Dallas is reportedly still in the market for pass-rush help in free agency even after this move. Za’Darius Smith, the former Packer who just backed out of a deal with Baltimore, is one to keep an eye on.
Whether it’s as Randy Gregory’s replacement or part of the pass-rushing rotation, Dorance Armstrong will continue his NFL journey with the only team he’s known. And in an offseason where so much focus is currently on departures, it’s nice to see the Cowboys hang on to an asset.
