Cowboys Non-Starter Bolts for Wild $45 Million..
The opening hours of NFL free agency have not been kind to the Dallas Cowboys. Veteran pass rusher Dorance Armstrong becomes the latest veteran to leave Big D.
The price tag might surprise people as Armstrong has agreed to terms on a new lucrative, three-year deal with the Washington Commanders for as much as $45 million. Free agent contracts cannot become official until Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
“Strong deal for new Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong, three years, maximum value of $45 million, per a league source, for North Shore graduate,” KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson detailed in a March 11, 2024 message on X.
This is a lot of money for a defender who only started one game for Dallas in 2023. For context, Armstrong’s previous contract was a two-year, $12 million deal with the Cowboys.
Dorance Armstrong Landed a $45 Million Deal With the Commanders After Starting Just 1 Game for the Cowboys in 2023
This is not to say Armstrong was not an important part of the Dallas defensive rotation. Armstrong played in all 17 games for the Cowboys in two straight seasons.
The defender posted 38 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. DallasCowboys.com’s Patrik Walker believes Armstrong has been “criminally underrated” in recent years. Armstrong was stuck behind star pass rushers like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence in Dallas.
“I’ve said it a thousand times and so here’s 1,001: I believe Dorance Armstrong is criminally underrated and, as such, a bigger loss than many will either admit or know,” Walker said in a March 11 message on X. “That doesn’t mean I think he’s irreplaceable in that role, though. It just means people overlook his contributions, of which there are many (including run defense and S/T). Show me Junior Fehoko + Day 3 pick.
“As for Tyler Biadasz, I’ve said the #Cowboys could stand to upgrade at center, so I don’t view that as a big loss — though they need to get it right with his replacement and not take a step backwards there.”
