Cowboys Could Lose Pass Rusher to Commanders After Dan Quinn Hire.
For the foreseeable future, the Dallas Cowboys will see Dan Quinn twice a year, but other free agents may join him as well. A number of Cowboys players are expected to test their free agency, but Dante Fowler Jr.’s name sticks out above the others.
The defensive end and Quinn have a long history together, as Brian Martin of Blogging the Boys noted. The pass rusher should only think about joining the Washington Commanders.
Martin noted on February 6 that Dante Fowler “has a long history with Quinn from college to the pros and could follow him to Washington like he did in Dallas.” Similar to Dorance Armstrong, he has played a crucial role in the Cowboys’ rotation over the past two seasons, recording 4.0 and 6.0 QB sacks respectively. Considering the contracts he recently signed, he would come at a reasonable price and provide the Commanders much-needed depth.
Martin also brings up Armstrong’s possible exit. However, Armstrong has proven to be a more reliable and adaptable producer than the other two DEs. Armstrong makes more sense if the Cowboys have to retain one because he was drafted by the team and has proven to be a reliable member in the previous 6 yrs.
Dante Fowler Jr.’s Time in Dallas
After being selected third overall in the 2016 NFL draft, Fowler has experience in the league. He has never received “star” billing in the NFL, it’s safe to say. However, he has shown to be a valuable pass-rushing asset for a number of teams, including the Atlanta Falcons and Cowboys.
As the 2020 season got underway, Fowler was searching for a team. Fowler was signed by Quinn, the head coach of the Falcons, who had coached him at Florida. And Fowler followed Quinn again in 2022 after he was fired before the 2021 offseason and then hired by Dallas.
Over two years in Dallas, Fowler totaled 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. He never made a start, but he also never missed a game in 2022 or 2023. For a rotational player, that’s an ideal situation.
The Cowboys may consider keeping Fowler, but his connection to Quinn means nothing is a guarantee.
Cowboys Could Bring Back Mike Zimmer
The Cowboys continue to search for their next Washington while Quinn sets up shop in Washington. Mike Zimmer, a longtime Dallas Cowboys player and former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, is one of the verified candidates for an interview.
On February 6, NFL media insider Tom Pelissero broke the story first.
According to a source, Mike Zimmer, the former coach of the Vikings, is being interviewed by the Cowboys for the position of defensive coordinator, Pelissero reported on X.
Since his first stint in Dallas, Zimmer has enjoyed a great deal of success in the NFL. He led Minnesota to three postseason appearances but his Vikings squad missed out on a Super Bowl berth.
From 1999 until 2006, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Zimmer is quite familiar with the company and its owner, Jerry Jones, so it would make sense to hire him.
But he’s been out of the NFL for a full two years. He worked for Deion Sanders and Jackson State in 2022 and did not have a coaching position for the 2023 campaign.
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