The Dallas Cowboys are trying to get back on track on defense. Their offense averaged the most total yards per game, but giving up the third-most yards and the most points per game didn’t do much to help Dak Prescott and company.
That’s why, now that new defensive coordinator Christian Parker is in town, they’re going through a bit of a defensive overhaul, with six of their eight signings (or re-signings) coming on that side of the field. That’s also why they should ignore Bobby Wagner’s age and get him signed as well.
At 35 years old, Bobby Wagner continues to prove that age is just a number. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the ninth-best linebacker in the game, awarding the veteran an overall grade of 78.6. He didn’t miss a single game for the struggling Washington Commanders, making 17 starts and logging 162 tackles — the fourth-most in his career — including 79 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine QB hits, four passes defensed, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
The Cowboys could certainly use that type of high-level production at linebacker. Wagner is more than familiar with the NFC East. He’s also familiar with Dan Quinn’s defense, which wouldn’t hurt the team’s game-planning efforts in their two annual matchups against the divisional foe.
Wagner recorded his fourth-consecutive 90.0-plus run-defense grade (90.3). He missed only eight tackles, posted 52 run stops, and generated 20 pressures in what could have been another All-Pro or Pro Bowl season for the 35-year-old. This is production that translates directly to winning football — the exact ingredient missing from a Dallas defense that has underperformed for far too long.
Given his age, Wagner isn’t projected to sign a long-term deal, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a massive impact. Spotrac projects his next contract to be one year and $7.7 million. According to Over The Cap, the Cowboys have $14.4 million in available cap space, so they can easily get it done without touching future flexibility.
Dallas already let Jack Sanborn walk away after his failed one-year stint in Arlington. They still have two young and promising linebackers in DeMarvion Overshawn and Shemar James. Wagner would be the perfect mentor and veteran leader for both of them. He’s also a well-known pass rusher, and this team desperately struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback last season.
The fact that Wagner remains a free agent after posting these kinds of numbers is nothing short of a blessing for Jerry Jones. He’s the type of glue guy who can help build winning habits on a defense that has fallen well short of expectations over the past couple of years.
One year. $7.7 million. A warrior who still produces at an elite level. The Cowboys just got nastier — and their defense finally found the heartbeat it’s been missing.
