If you’re a Cowboys fan struggling to find a rooting interest in tonight’s Super Bowl, maybe hoping for some former Dallas players to get a ring will help put you on one side of the fence. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and Guard Xavier Su’a-Filo are both with the Cincinnati Bengals and looking to be part of their first championship team in the NFL.
Awuzie is a starting CB for Cincy, having joined them in 2021 as a free agent after playing out his four-year rookie contract in Dallas. According to Pro Football Focus, Chido graded out as the top corner in the AFC and second-best in the NFL this season.
The Cowboys were up against the salary cap this past offseason and appeared unable to match what Awuzie was worth in the open market. With Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown already signed up, they did work out a deal with Jourdan Lewis and spent early draft picks on Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright.
Xavier Su’a-Filo signed with the Bengals in 2020 and has begun each of the last two seasons as a starting guard. Unfortunately, early-season injuries have ruined the last two campaigns for Xavier but he at least remains employed with the team right now on its practice squad.
Before heading to Ohio, Su’a-Filo spent two years in Dallas as a backup and occasional starting guard. He started eight games in 2018 when then-rookie Connor Williams was injured and held the job even after Connor got healthy thanks to his solid performance. Williams eventually got his spot back at the end of the year and for the playoffs.
Back in 2019 we were happy to see guys like Anthony Hitchens, Damien Wilson, Charvarius Ward, and maybe even Morris Claiborne win their first Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. Chidobe Awuzie and Xaver Su’a-Filo can enjoy the same tonight if the Bengals are victorious over the Los Angeles Rams.
As Cowboys fans continue waiting for our next visit to the biggest game of the year, the least we can do is cheer on these former Dallas players who’ve finally found their way.
