A Dallas Cowboys’ writer believes the team could end up cutting a well-respected veteran on their defensive unit.
Jerry Jones and company already released one notable player this offseason, cutting two-time rushing champion and running back Ezekiel Elliott to save cap space. But, one shouldn’t be surprised if another veteran Cowboy is released before Week 1.
Reid Hanson of Cowboys Wire suggested that the job of veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis could be in jeopardy this offseason. Lewis is still recovering from surgery on a Lisfranc injury that ended his season last October:
“After struggling significantly with depth at the CB position throughout most of 2022, Dallas has built up quite the unit in 2023. Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore have the top-two spots locked down while players like DaRon Bland, Eric Scott, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, Myles Brooks and even hybrid DB Israel Mukuamu duke it out for coverage roles behind and alongside them…
Lewis is on the books for $5,872,550. If he doesn’t fit in as a top-three CB, Dallas may not be able to justify his cost. The Cowboys aren’t in need of creating cap space for this season, but they aren’t known to needlessly spend either.
Lewis’ future is likely to be as tied to the field of competition as it is his own health. If young players step up and show they can be viable solutions, Lewis may not have a place on the roster waiting for him.”
With Lewis still recovering from the Lisfranc surgery, he was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Dallas drafted the Michigan product in the third round (92nd overall) in 2017. Though much of the Cowboys’ success on defense has been credited to the likes of Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, Lewis has also proven to be a reliable starter in the secondary.
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The soon-to-be 28-year-old Lewis has recorded eight interceptions, 31 pass defenses, 8.5 sacks and 263 combined tackles through his first six seasons as a Cowboy. Dallas has made the postseason three times in that span (2018, 2021 and 2022), though they haven’t advanced past the Divisional Round.
Dallas is coming off a second straight 12-win season. They’ll open their 2023 campaign with a road contest against the New York Giants on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 1.
