Dallas Cowboys keep valued SS Jayron Kearse in fold with 2-year, $11 million deal
Slowly but surely, the Dallas Cowboys are putting some pieces back in place on defense.
Roughly one week after re-signing safety Malik Hooker to a two-year deal, the Cowboys have agreed to terms with safety Jayron Kearse on a two-year deal for a base of $10 million. He can earn up to $11 million with incentives.
Kearse had largely been a special teams performer before signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys last season and having a breakout campaign under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Kearse, 28, started 15 of the 16 games and finished the season as the defense’s leading tackler with 101.
He also had a sack, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
More important, he served as the defensive play caller for much of the season and was a member of the team’s leadership council in his first season in Dallas.
Getting him back in the fold was a huge priority for the Cowboys but Kearse wanted to test the market after never starting more than seven games in a season the previous five years with the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.
In the end, he returned to a place where he had the most success.
Cowboys re-sign Punter Bryan Anger
After initially thinking he was going to be too expensive to retain in free agency, the Cowboys are now re-signing punter Bryan Anger.
He got a three-year worth up to $9 million.
It is very good money for punter and Anger is worth it as he was one of the best Cowboys at what he did in 2021.
He set a team single-season record for net yards per punt at 44.6, tied for fourth-best in NFL history. Anger was named to his first Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection.
Also coming back to the Cowboys defense is linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on a one-year deal.
Tight end Dalton Schultz officially signed his franchise tag tender of $10.9 million for 2022.
This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 5:31 PM.
