All it takes to determine that the Dallas Cowboys may need a linebacker in the summer is a cursory glance at 2023.
Due to concerns about injuries involving Leighton Vander Esch and DeMarvion Overshown, two safety, Markquese Bell and Jayron Kearse, saw action at linebacker for Dallas during the previous campaign.
That’s not a playbook for success for a club that had trouble stopping the run the previous season, nor for the defense of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
Does that imply Dallas will prioritize spending money on a star-caliber cornerback?
According to CBS Sports, Dallas may be interested in signing linebacker Patrick Queen of the Baltimore Ravens:
Due to injuries, there were moments during practice at The Star, the team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas, when just one or two players were practicing the linebacker position. Queen is a heat-seeking rocket who might bolster a thin inside linebacker corps and give Jerry Jones the impression that he is really trying to go “all in.”
It’s important to note that Dallas-based writer Garrett Podell is the source of the suggestion. However, we will contend that Podell’s statement that “on the open market, (Queen) could garner a five-year, $92.6 million deal with an average annual salary of $18.5 million” undermines the forecast.
We are here to report that there is nothing in Dallas’ past that indicates the Cowboys, who are already somewhat cash-strapped with just about $8.8 million in cap space and who need to make some roster moves soon to make any major changes, plan to prioritize a Tier 1 off-ball linebacker to open free agency on Monday. Spotrac (possibly not coincidentally) projects that exact deal.
Queen recorded 133 total tackles, one interception, and 3.5 sacks in the previous campaign. The 2020 NFL Draft pick from LSU, who was selected with the sixth overall pick, has amassed 454 total tackles, four picks, and 13.5 sacks since moving to Baltimore.
