Stephen Jones shuts down connection to Bobby Wagner; Dallas Cowboys are good at LB
Rumors have connected the Dallas Cowboys to linebacker Bobby Wagner ever since the eight-time Pro Bowl playerwas released by the Seattle Seahawks due to his connection with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Quinn was the Seahawks defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014, and he still maintains a close relationship with Wagner. It was thought that he would have been a perfect addition to the Cowboys because of his knowledge of Quinn’s defense, while serving as a mentor to rising star linebacker Micah Parsons.
Team vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged the connection, but said the Cowboys never got deep in their pursuit of Wagner.
“Obviously Dan’s had a history with Bobby and knows him well [so] you look into it,” Jones said. “He’s a great, great football player, Hall of Fame-type player. But as it turned out, it didn’t work out with us.”
According to a source, the Cowboys had no interest in spending the money that it would take to sign Wagner, who is still a free agent and is reportedly leaning towards continuing his career with the Los Angeles Rams or the Baltimore Ravens.
What’s also true is that Wagner is a three-down linebacker and the Cowboys play a hybrid defense that plays with just two linebackers for much of the team in their big-nickel alignment with three safeties. Plus, safety Jayron Kearse, who was the defensive play caller last season, was re-signed to a two-year deal.
Jones said the Cowboys feel good about their roster at linebacker, although it is a position they could target in the draft.
“Some people consider Jayron Kearse a linebacker. We don’t need as many backers as we used to because we play that hybrid style with the safeties there. But we are not heavy with numbers and certainly could do better there. But I wouldn’t say it’s a huge priority before the draft.”
The Cowboys are letting veteran Keanu Neal walk in free agency, but they re-signed 2018 first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch. And they also have high hopes for 2021 fourth-round pick Jabril Cox, who saw his rookie season cut short by ACL tear on Oct. 31.
Jones said Cox is doing really well and the Cowboys are counting him to replace Neal’s snaps and production.
Neal played 580 snaps, which was 50 percent of the Cowboys’ total defensive snaps in 2021, 10th-most on the team, despite missing three games due to COVID-19.
“I think he is coming along great,” Jones said of Cox. “Should be a big plus for us this year. Will fill right in where Keanu left off. I think he has great coverage skills.”
