The Dallas Cowboys are reassessing their linebacker depth after Week 1, looking for experience to stabilize a unit that flashed potential but revealed gaps in consistency. With playoff ambitions alive, the front office is open to proven leadership.
Insiders indicate a reunion could be imminent with a veteran defender who already knows Mike Zimmer’s system and remains productive at age 33. Beat reporters have speculated for weeks, and momentum toward a deal has picked up.
That man is Eric Kendricks, the middle linebacker who anchored Dallas’ defense in 2024. Released into free agency this spring, Kendricks has stayed ready, training privately while his name continued circulating among Cowboys insiders.
Kendricks himself fueled the speculation with a heartfelt admission. “I was in the stands yesterday cheering for the Cowboys against the Eagles, and I’ll be honest — I wanted to suit up right then and there. That moment reminded me how much I love this team, this city, and this star. Now, I’m ready to clear the way for my return to Dallas.”
Gift baskets
During his one season in Dallas, Kendricks started 15 games, racking up 138 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions. His steady presence filled the void left by Leighton Vander Esch and gave young linebackers critical guidance.
His departure was framed as financial, not performance-based. Dallas chose to let his one-year, $3 million deal expire, hoping to get younger with Kenneth Murray and DeMarvion Overshown. Yet Kendricks’ production never truly waned.
Reports now suggest the Cowboys are weighing a one-year, $5 million offer to bring him back. The structure would reward Kendricks’ leadership while keeping Dallas flexible as it manages its cap and continues youth development.
For fans at AT&T Stadium, the potential reunion is more than nostalgia. It signals Dallas’ intent to maximize its defense in a loaded NFC East — and reminds supporters that one of their most reliable veterans could still have unfinished business in the star.
Broncos waive rookie after he refuses to sign IR paperwork over pay cut concerns, ahead of the 2nd preseason game
Denver’s preseason preparations took an unexpected turn when a contract standoff emerged just days before the team’s second exhibition game. What should have been a straightforward injury designation instead led to an early separation between a rookie and the front office.
The issue revolved around the injured reserve (IR) designation — a standard NFL move to preserve roster spots while injured players recover. In this case, the process came to a halt when the rookie declined to sign the paperwork.
At the center of the situation was Jaden Robinson, a cornerback who played 41 games for Oregon State, tallying 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery during his collegiate career.
General manager George Paton addressed the matter directly: “If you won’t sign the IR papers, you’re telling me you’d rather risk your health for short-term pay — and that’s not how we build lasting success in Denver.”
Robinson’s college résumé showcased his consistency and physicality in the secondary, qualities that earned him an opportunity in Broncos camp. However, an undisclosed injury kept him sidelined for the preseason opener and limited his practice reps.
By refusing the IR designation, Robinson not only risked aggravating his injury but also removed himself from contention in a competitive defensive back group. For Denver, the decision meant making an early roster cut.
Fan reactions have been mixed — some admired the rookie’s refusal to sit out the season, while others questioned the wisdom of jeopardizing his NFL future over a short-term paycheck.
On August 15, Denver officially waived Robinson, ending his brief tenure with the team before he could make his debut in orange and blue.
