Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones once said that the team “is always actively looking to improve”.
Mere days after striking a deal with perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin, the front office is not done.
As first reported by dallascowboys.com writer Patrik [No C] Walker, the Cowboys have converted S Jayron Kearse’s $4 million 2023 base salary into fully guaranteed money.
Kearse, under contract only through the upcoming 2023 season, joins teammates Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker as safeties the Cowboys have shown faith in this offseason.
Earlier this month, Malik Hooker signed a three year contract extension worth $24 million that includes an $8 million signing bonus and $16.5 million in guaranteed money.
Back in March, Donovan Wilson was also signed to a three year contract extension worth $24 million, including $13.5 million in guarantees to be paid out over the next two seasons.
The most astonishing aspect of these three contracts is that the Cowboys have a long reputation of not allocating large amounts of the salary cap to the safety position.
What Changed?
The reason for the change in philosophy can be explained in two words: Dan Quinn.
Dallas’ newest defensive coordinator has brought his Big Nickel scheme to the Cowboys defense, and featured a safety position that has long since needed playmakers.
Quinn’s Big Nickel scheme is a 4-2-5 alignment, but the fifth defensive back is a safety as opposed to the traditional alignment where the fifth defensive back is a cornerback.
This three safety look serves many purposes, but mainly gets more versatile and athletic defenders on the field together.
What Does This Mean For Dallas?
In simple terms, it means Dallas has secured all of the safeties that comprise their “three headed monster”, as social media has kindly dubbed the trio.
Each of the three can play in each other’s position, but they each have a role they specialize in.
Hooker is best in coverage as a single high safety free to roam the back of the defense.
Wilson is more of a linebacker hybrid who excels near the line of scrimmage in run support, and even has success rushing the passer.
He has 8.5 sacks for his career, with 5.0 of them coming last season.
Kearse has been labeled the “tight end eliminator”, as he usually draws the task of covering opposing teams’ athletic tight ends.
He has performed above average versus notable tight ends like Travis Kelce, Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, and Darren Waller.
Kearse has more than earned the trust of the coaching staff and front office, as evidenced by the conversion of his base salary to fully guaranteed money.
Originally a 7th round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, Kearse can be considered a late bloomer.
He played primarily special teams for the first five years of his career in Minnesota and Detroit before coming to Dallas.
Under the tutelage of Dan Quinn, Kearse transformed into one of the best starting safeties in the NFL.
Over the past two seasons in Dallas, he has compiled 178 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions.
This guaranteed money is fully deserved, and hopefully leads to another contract extension to keep him here for years to come.