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The weakest link in the chain on defense for the Dallas Cowboys was at safety in 2024.
As of this moment, it remains so. They have retained two of their safeties in free agency but have not addressed the position with the signing of an outside free agent.
Looking at the numbers in 2024, especially how they have fallen from 2023, that should be a cause for alarm for Cowboys fans.
Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson started all 17 games at safety last year for Dallas.
Hooker finished with 81 tackles, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles. Wilson added 82 tackles, five defended passes, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
Wilson has been a consistent performer in the backfield for the Cowboys, averaging 90 tackles a year.
But when it comes to the bench, the pickings get mighty slim on the sidelines.
Juanyeh Thomas saw action in 13 games in 2024. He had 14 tackles, forced a fumble, and defended a pass.
In 2023, Thomas was in 16 games, starting once, with 22 tackles and four defended passes.
Josh Butler, in his rookie year, had 21 tackles, defended five passes, and recorded a sack.
Markquese Bell moved back to safety in 2024 after playing mostly as a linebacker for Dan Quinn in 2023. Under Mike Zimmer last season, he had six tackles in nine games and none as a starter.
In 2023, Bell played in 17 games, started in eight, and had 94 tackles with two forced fumbles and four defended passes.
That’s quite a significant drop-off.
Almost as much as the drop-off between the two starters and the three backups going into 2025. That’s a big problem that needs to be addressed.
Roster Review 2025: Safeties. This is final part of a 30-part series. Click here for a list of all related articles.
Outlook For 2025
Israel Mukuamu could probably rotate back to safety if absolutely needed, despite being listed on some depth charts as a cornerback.
Unless the Cowboys address the position in free agency or next month’s draft, he’ll almost certainly have to.
In all likelihood, Hooker and Wilson will be the starters at safety this fall under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. However, the bench needs to step up.
It would be foolish to expect both starters to last long if they are playing every down of every game.
There are going to be times when the other safeties will need to get it done. For Bell, a return to his previous numbers is a must.
Thomas showed signs of promise in 2024. He needs to build on that in 2025 and beyond.
Butler is an unknown going into the fall.
He didn’t outshine anyone as a rookie, but he could build on last year and help the team by continuing to improve.
Otherwise, a defense that couldn’t stop the pass or the run in 2024, is liable to get run over again in 2025.
Long-Term Outlook
Wilson and Thomas will hit free agency after the 2025 season. Wilson, who makes $8.65 million this year, will be an unrestricted free agent next March.
Thomas will earn a little over $1 million this year before becoming a restricted free agent in 2026.
Butler will make $960,000 and will be an ERFA next spring.
Hooker will earn $7.7 million this year, $9 million in 2026 and become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Bell is under contract through the end of 2027, earning a combined $8.7 million for the next three seasons. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
If the Cowboys are unable to build up the position this year, they will find themselves in even more of a bind in 2026.
The problem is, they have so many holes on the roster that even 10 draft picks can’t fill.
With seven of those picks coming after the fourth round, finding an immediate impact player on the draft’s third day is a difficult task.
Finding seven? I’m not sure even John Wick could pull off that “impossible task” no matter how hard he tried.
More must-reads:
- Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff
- Five best NFL offseason value signings on defense: NFC East rivals earn high marks
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Cowboys fans won't like Jerry Jones' update on Micah Parsons standoff
With the regular season approaching, the Dallas Cowboys should be aiming to extend EDGE Micah Parsons promptly. But they're still in no rush to do that. Parsons is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 and has requested a trade. Dallas insists it has no plans to move the 26-year-old pass-rusher but hasn't clarified when it will extend him. Giving him a new deal before the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock) seems wise. Dallas owner Jerry Jones, however, said that's not the team's deadline, nor does it need one. "No, not at all," Jones said Wednesday, via Jonah Javad of WFAA-TV in Dallas. "You don't have deadlines when you're playing under contract." Parsons is under contract, but that doesn't mean he must suit up. The EDGE could hold out of regular-season games, like former Cowboys star running back Emmitt Smith did in 1993. The Pro Football Hall of Famer missed the first two games of the season before becoming the league's highest-paid RB at that time. Parsons hasn't said whether he would hold out of regular-season games, but it's apparent he's unhappy with where things stand. "My mouth is closed," Parsons said Wednesday while leaving the practice field in Oxnard, California, via Field Level Media. Jones didn't say if talks with Parsons would resume when the Cowboys return to Texas for their second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The owner still seems confident Parsons will play on the fifth-year option if Dallas doesn't sign him before the start of the regular season. "Again, all you've got to go on are contracts," Jones said. "We are negotiating for a contract. When you do a contract, you would hope that after a negotiation, that's what both the team and player look to see what our obligations are. I have a lot of respect for the contract." Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb played the last years of their rookie contracts. Perhaps Jones wants Parsons to do the same. Still, that would be silly. Paying the four-time Pro Bowler should be a no-brainer for the Cowboys, so they should stop wasting time and show him the money.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Steps In To Shut Down Joey Porter Jr.'s Brazen Confidence In Talk With Jalen Ramsey
The Pittsburgh Steelers completely revamped the secondary heading into the 2025 NFL season. Darius Slay was signed during free agency to play cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr., while Jalen Ramsey was brought in via trade. The goal is for all three defensive backs to be on the field at all times, but where they are going to be lined up is going to be a bit of a mystery. Ramsey is expected to showcase his versatility and play some slot cornerback and free safety, while Porter and Slay will be relied upon on the outside. Many fans have been curious about how the cornerbacks are going to gel together, and so far, things seem to be going well. Ramsey sat down with The Pivot on Tuesday, and he spoke about the situation. He was asked about how the three players were adjusting to everything, and the veteran made sure to acknowledge the talent that is in the room with him, while also stating he is the top guy. He was asked about his relationship with Porter, specifically about who gets to go first in drills. "They know who going first," Ramsey said. "[Darius] Slay already knew what type of time it is. Slay chill. Slay like, 'Man, y'all got it.' With Joe, he like, 'Nah Jay, I need that!' I'm like, 'After me though. You gonna get that action, after me.' All three of us, we sat with Mike [Tomlin] at the beginning of camp and we had good conversations and he even kind of butted in and told Joe too, 'Hey, Jay gonna be the guy right now.'" Porter has always played with a certain level of confidence, and it is something that Ramsey stated he loved. However, Ramsey and Head Coach Mike Tomlin made sure to check the young defensive back and let him know that Ramsey is the top dog at that position on defense. The two seem to be on good terms and Porter understands the current situation, but it is good to know that he has the motivation to be the top guy at cornerback. Ramsey is going to be a Hall of Famer as he has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league since being drafted back in 2016. He has excelled in every step of his career, whether that be with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, or the Miami Dolphins. Now he gets to do his thing in Pittsburgh, as he will look to add another Super Bowl to his resume. He will also be able to pass off some knowledge for Porter, which could help Pittsburgh out in the future. The same goes for Slay, who is another experienced, high-level veteran for Pittsburgh at cornerback with a Super Bowl ring of his own. Steelers' Cornerbacks Will Take On Intriguing Matchup Twice In 2025 It is very important that the Steelers are able to play man coverage successfully, and with Porter, Ramsey, and Slay, there is no reason the team wouldn't be able to hang with any receiving core in the league. The best duo at receiver arguably resides in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals as they roster both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Ramsey was asked about who will get the responsibility of covering Chase, who is widely regarded as the best receiver in the league. "That's me," Ramsey said. "That's Jay. That's five for now. That's five. I know that's what Joey want as well. And he gonna get his opps, but that's five right now." Ramsey staked claim to covering a receiver like Chase, which likely means he will want the best matchup every single week. There is going to be instances where he will have to lineup in the slot or at safety, but if not, he wants to be taking on the best for the time being.
Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.
Steelers' Dispute With Cameron Heyward Is Preventing Another Elite Player From Getting Paid
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of another nasty contract situation. Defensive captain Cameron Heyward fired some shots at the front office for how they did things in the past while demanding a restructured deal. So far, Pittsburgh seems to have not budged on his demands. They appear to be ok with letting things play out and seeing if he caves in and plays without getting what he wants. All the focus is currently on him, even though he is not the only high-end player that is refusing to participate in practice. Kicker Chris Boswell has also been holding in and playing golf, as opposed to kicking footballs in Latrobe. After an amazing 2024 season, he believes that he deserves to be the highest-paid special teamer due to being the best in the previous season. There appears to be little movement on that front as well, and the Steelers seem to be willing to push this as far as it could possibly go. While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio explained the simple reason why Boswell is not getting paid. "I don’t see them blinking for Boswell and not blinking for Heyward," Florio said. "That one is just weird to me." Kickers are seen as one of the most replaceable positions in the league. What is not replaceable, however, is an All-Pro team captain in the trenches. Heyward is priority number one, even if there has not been much movement in that front. Pittsburgh will have a very hard time stopping the run game if the 15th-year veteran is not there at all. That would also be a major blow to the locker room morale to have him off the team during the regular season. Boswell may be one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, but he doesn't have the impact on and off the field that Heyward does. On top of that, Ben Sauls has performed well in training camp and in the team's first preseason game. If Boswell is not on the field in Week 1, the Steelers would still go into that game with confidence in the man that makes the trip to East Rutherford, New Jersey. The same can't be said for whoever would replace the defensive captain. As mentioned before, the Steelers have not budged much for Heyward, if at all. They don't want to give him a raise and/or guaranteed money at the moment, whichever he prefers. If that's their mindset with one of the best players of his generation, why would they not have that same mindset for a kicker? Steelers May Need Boswell More Than They Realize The problem for the Steelers has been their subpar, inconsistent offense for years now. After replacing one aging veteran quarterback with another one, odds are that there won't be too much of an increase in production on that side of the ball. That would mean the team would be over-reliant on the leg and accuracy of their kicker. Sauls might be having a solid camp, but he is no Boswell. Boswell had two separate games where he accounted for all 18 points in a game, and he did so with a different quarterback under center in each contest. He was a perfect 35/35 on extra points and went 41/44 on field goals, including going 13/15 from 50+ yards out. With Heyward still fighting for a restructure, who knows if/when Boswell gets the extension that he is looking for? This will likely get much uglier before it gets good again.
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