Cowboys pass-rusher headed to NFC East foe

Cowboys free agents continue to trek to the nation’s capital. Defensive end Dante Fowler has agreed to a deal with the Commanders, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Fowler joins Dorance Armstrong as the latest defender set to follow former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington. The latter is in place as head coach, and he will have multiple familiar faces along the defensive front as the team looks to rebuild along the edge in particular.

Like Armstrong, Fowler occupied a rotational role as part of a deep edge contingent during his time with the Cowboys. The 30-year-old logged snap shares of only 30 percent and 25 percent over the past two years, so it comes as little surprise he will head elsewhere in search of more playing time. The Commanders will mark the fifth career team for the 29-year-old.

Fowler combined to post 10 sacks and 33 pressures during his run with the Cowboys. The former third-overall pick has only managed double-digit sacks once in his career — the 2019 campaign when he was with the Falcons — and his journeyman status will continue this offseason. Fowler played on consecutive one-year pacts with Dallas, and it would come as no surprise if this Commanders accord was likewise a short-term investment.

Washington’s edge group was thinned out at the 2023 trade deadline with Montez Sweat and Chase Young being dealt prior to the expiration of their respective rookie deals. Armstrong, hybrid linebacker Frankie Luvu — added on a big-money deal in part for his ability as a pass rusher — and now Fowler will be among players the faces brought in by Washington’s new regime.