FRISCO – Here in 5 bites is what we know about former Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr., who as we originally wrote this was clearly angry about the fact that he remains on the free agency shelf.
1 – In a recent rant on X, Fowler first wrote, The disrespect.. I can’t take it anymore.”
And then, in a since-deleted post, he added, “I play half the snaps and got the same stats of the people y’all be (expletive-) riding. Make it make sense.
“I’m tired of this (expletive).”
So … angry.
2 – He’s right about the numbers. Fowler registered 10.5 sacks (to lead the Washington Commanders) while having 12 QB hits and 14 tackles for loss (which also led the Commanders).
He did all of that after having signed a one-year, $3.2 million deal with Washington and now, after his stellar 2024 campaign, he is looking for an increase in salary.
3 – Fowler Jr. is a Dan Quinn guy – they were almost “family” dating back to their days at the University of Florida – and that’s why he signed with Dallas in 2023.
And when DQ moved to Washington from the Dallas Cowboys, it was the most natural fit. … so he moved there.
4 – Fowler is a known commodity here inside The Star – “the devil you know,” one might say. The Dallas scouting department is aware of whatever weaknesses and all the strengths as at age 30, he’s an established NFL force.
In 2015, he was the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He’s got pedigree.
5 – DeMarcus Lawrence just signed with the Seattle Seahawks, so while Dallas might be ready to hand that job to a combination of Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland, there can still be room for a guy who Spotrac.com has a market value of $5.2 million on … with a Cowboys team that has $49 million in cap room.
The Cowboys can do this … with our long-time Cowboys insider urging them to act.
“We – and Fowler – see other pass-rushers signing deals in excess of $35 million and $40 million per year,” Fish says. “Fowler might not be Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby. But as he sits on the shelf, with the clock ticking?
“For a team that knows how to utilize him, Fowler is going to be somebody’s bargain.”
Looks like Dallas agrees with Fish.
And again, the Cowboys, even under a new coaching staff, obviously should know how to utilize him – as he on Friday signs a one-year deal worth up to $8 million to come back here.
We’re a little surprised, frankly, that Quinn and Fowler haven’t gotten together on a DC deal. … so much so that it makes us wonder if we’re missing something.
The Cowboys have taken a couple of fliers this week on other former first-round picks in D-linemen Solomon Thomas and Payton Turner, not to mention also doing so with fellow defenders linebacker Kenneth Murray and cornerback Kaiir Elam.
If we’re paying attention to the “Cowboys patterns” (see below) … we say Fowler fits as a rotational helper to complement Micah Parsons.
Soon enough, we’ll find out if the Cowboys agree, with a plan to help Fowler channel that justifiable answer.
