How Dan Quinn is raiding the Dallas Cowboys in free agency for the Washington Commanders
When former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, it was only a matter of time before he reached back to grab some of his old players.
The exodus began less than two hours into the start of the legal tampering period on Monday as Quinn struck deals with two former Cowboys in center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong.
He then added defensive end Dante Fowler to the list on Tuesday.
No deal can be official until Wednesday.
Per reports, Biadasz got a three-year, $30 million deal to be the new starting center in Washington after holding down the position the last three seasons in Dallas. He was a Pro Bowler in 2022.
Armstrong, who can earn up to $45 million on a three-year deal, heads to Washington where he will likely be a full-time starter for the first time. He is familiar with Quinn’s scheme where he thrived as a rotational end the past three seasons.
He recorded 21 sacks in that span, including a career-high had 8.5 in 2022.
Terms of Fowler’s deal are unknown.
But he will be a key rotational piece in Washington for Quinn as he was in Dallas, where he had 40 tackles, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles the past two seasons.
They are the first three Cowboys to follow Quinn to Washington. But they may not be the last.
Cornerback Jordan Lewis and safety Javon Kearse are also options to follow for Washington.
It puts the Cowboys in the market for a starting center. 2023 backup Brock Hoffman is an option but its a positon the team could target in the draft.
The Cowboys also need added depth at defensive end behind starters DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
Sam Williams, a 2022 second-round pick, will see increased snaps but more help is needed.
The big question is when are the Cowboys going to start adding players to replenish what they lost.
The Cowboys were the only team in the NFL to not make any moves on Monday.
And while they re-signed long snapper Trent Sieg on Tuesday, they remain one of four teams in the league to not have added anyone from the outside.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 1:26 PM.
