Dorance Armstrong has spent his entire six-year career with the Cowboys, but he is on track to reach the open market. Both Dallas and outside suitors have the veteran defensive end on the radar.
After his rookie contract expired, Armstrong landed a two-year, $12M deal to remain with the Cowboys. He had produced little as a pass rusher across his first three campaigns in the league, but in 2021 the former fourth-rounder notched five sacks. That helped his value, but it will now stand at a higher rate after he totaled 16 sacks in 2022-23.
Armstrong’s deal voided last month, creating a dead cap charge of $1.5M in 2024 for the Cowboys regardless of where he plays. The 26-year-old is valued by the team, though, as Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News noted. Another Cowboys agreement could thus be in store, but Armstrong will likely draw interest if he reaches free agency.
The Kansas product is not expected to re-up with Dallas for a second time, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Armstrong could have a number of suitors given his age and production in recent seasons (which includes 20 tackles for loss and 55 QB pressures over the past three years). A raise compared to his previous pact would come as little surprise, and the Cowboys would not be in position to win a bidding war considering they are currently projected to be $10.6M over the cap.
Fowler names the Commanders as a team to watch with respect to Armstrong. Washington is now led by Dan Quinn, who served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for the last three years. It would not surprise to see Armstrong or other Dallas defenders make the intra-divisional move to continue working with Quinn.
Washington traded away both Montez Sweat and Chase Young in advance of the 2023 trade deadline, leaving the team in need of additions along the edge. The Commanders will have ample spending power in free agency, so they could make a healthy bid for Armstrong.
Dallas will likely be eyeing additions along the defensive interior and at the middle linebacker spot this offseason, but losing Armstrong would create a notable absence in the front seven. It will be interesting to see if talks on a new deal can keep him with the Cowboys for 2024 and beyond or if he will find himself in a new environment on his third contract.
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