Like a few positions on the Dallas Cowboys roster, there is not a definitive answer on who could be the starting linebacker(s) this season.
Returning to the group is DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau and Damone Clark. With breakout star Overshown out for a substantial time moving forward, the Cowboys hit the position hard in free agency and the NFL Draft for more depth.
Dallas traded for the Tennessee Titans’ captain Kenneth Murray Jr. and made an underrated move to swipe Jack Sanborn from the Chicago Bears as a free agent. In the Draft, Dallas picked up Shemar James who has had a solid start to OTA workouts.
Dallas is probably content with someone in this group solidifying the center of the defense until Overshown returns, with Murray and Sanborn being the favorites to do so.
But during this time of year, the rumor mill is churning nonstop. Some are claiming the Cowboys could be interested in throwing another name into this competition.
One rumor-driven platform pitched the idea that Dallas could be a potential spot for New York Jets veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley.
Mosley is still a free agent after an underwhelming 2024 season in the Big Apple led to his release. He played just four games for the Jets last year while dealing with a neck injury.
However, his resume stacks up well in comparison to the Dallas LB room.
In 2022, Mosley was a Pro Bowler and 2nd Team All-Pro selection. It was the fifth time the Alabama product has received each of those honors since entering the league in 2014.
Other than hesitation in adding too much to the position, Dallas could still be wary of signing Mosley for multiple reasons.
He’s going on 33 years old, is coming off a tricky neck injury that plagued the majority of last year, and he wouldn’t be as cheap as you’d want a throw-in depth piece to be.
The Cowboys new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is known around the NFL as a linebacker guru. His schemes always perform well with a rangy and dynamic linebacker or two flying around.
That player could already be on the roster … but the Cowboys have hinted at potentially not being done making moves. Only time will tell if they were talking about adding more at linebacker.
Whether another body is brought in or not, Eberflus and the Cowboys staff will be closely monitoring the competition at linebacker this offseason to find who will earn a spot in the starting lineup.
