The Dallas Cowboys may sign former Super Bowl pass rusher, Emmanuel Ogbah after his release from the Miami Dolphins. According to a source, the Cowboys are considered as one of the landing destinations for the defensive end. The Dolphins released Ogbah after two years of signing him to a four-year contract worth $65 million. The release was expected after the Dolphins were dealing with salary cap issues.
However, Ogbah played a career-low 25% of defensive snaps last season under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The Dolphins didn’t seem to know what to do or how to get the former Super Bowl champion involved. The Cowboys have other key free agents this offseason like Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore. However, Dallas probably has a new approach under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
The first step towards that new change could be bringing in experienced players like Ogbah. This is probably what Zimmer will likely do to truly go all in to prepare for the upcoming season. Ogbh began his career in Miami after winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 as a key reserve. The Cowboys could use him since the Super Bowl champion knows the lay of the championship land.
Ogbah has amassed 42.5 sacks since joining the league as a second-round pick in 2016. His playing time dipped in Miami last season and Dallas might be the landing spot to give him that. The Cowboys are expected to lose some of their front seven, so bringing in Ogbah could provide some relief.
Dallas Cowboys May Sign Former Super Bowl Pass Rusher Emmanuel Ogbah
Could He Fit in With the New Scheme in Dallas?
Ever since former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left to join the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys are probably looking for a revamp. The Cowboys already have some sense of pride in getting after the quarterback like they did under Quinn last season. Adding Ogbah would bolster the reputation and attitude to get after the ball with a personality presence like Micah Parsons. Dallas has always been statistically great in taking down quarterbacks with a sack.
The Cowboys have taken down the quarterback on 141 occasions, tied for the fourth-best tally in the NFL. It’s already a scary sight for the Cowboys’ defense and adding Ogbah could make them Super Bowl-worthy. However, Ogbah has suffered some injuries in his career. He took a deeper role returning from a triceps surgery that limited him to nine appearances in 2022.
Considering that, the Cowboys could bring him in on a cheaper deal. Ogbah lost snaps to younger talent in Miami like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, so he could get more defensive snaps in Dallas. However, Dallas has cap issues as well so it may be difficult for the team to get an actual deal done. The Cowboys still need long-term deals done with Parsons, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Other Potential Destinations for Ogbah
If the Cowboys can’t get a deal done, then he has his fair share of suitors. He could return to the team that originally drafted him, the Cleveland Browns. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith is a free agent this offseason so the Browns could replace one veteran for another. Jim Schwartz’s defensive line is important so adding Ogbah could be a good starting point.
Also, don’t rule out a reunion with the Chiefs. Kansas City may lose Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed due to cap issues. So adding Ogbah on a cheaper deal could add some relief.
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