Cowboys Might Advance Al Harris

HARRIS PROMOTION MARCH 17? According to a Dallas News story, Al Harris is anticipated to be promoted by the Cowboys to assistant head coach.

The 49-year-old Harris has been assisting the Dallas defensive backs. He had an interview for the coordinator position that Dan Quinn left open when he was named head coach of Washington.

Mike Zimmer was given that position on Mike McCarthy’s staff, and Harris might now be his primary assistant. WAGS TO WASHINGTON ON MARCH 13 Dan Quinn frequently discussed this topic while he was employed in Dallas. But for Bobby Wagner, a legend of the Seattle Seahawks, the notion has finally come true as he heads to Washington.

Wagner and the Commanders are inking a one-year contract that may be worth up to $8.5 million. There are reportedly $6 million in guaranteed funds in the transaction. Quinn, the new head coach of the Commanders, and Wagner are old friends. Quinn was the defensive coordinator in Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” period, which included studs on defense including Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Wagner.

DQ has suggested that “Wags” might be the greatest linebacker he’s ever seen. … so the attraction in the installation of a new defense is obvious. Wagner, 33, will be entering his 13th NFL season. He played 10 straight seasons with the Seahawks before the two sides parted ways in 2022. He then signed with the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, but spent just one season with the NFC West rival before making his return to Seattle last offseason. And now “Boom” skips over Dallas and goes to D.C. MAR 12 PASS-RUSH PIPELINE Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. has reached an agreement with the Washington Commanders on the second day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. Rushing the passer is vital, so losing quality depth is always going to sting. But when it’s lost to a division rival, that pain lingers. Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left Dallas to become the head coach of the Commanders and has had no reservations about calling his former understudies. Earlier in the tampering period, Washington signed former Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz and edge rusher Dorance Armstrong. Details on the contract are yet to emerge, though Pro Football Focus projected Fowler to earn a one-year, $2.5 million deal in free agency. Fowler generated four sacks in 2023 and 10 total across his two seasons in Dallas. MAR 12 RB CALLS Derrick Henry has himself a contract offer … but it’s not from the Cowboys. Dallas did call a free agent running back you’ve heard of in Zack Moss … but he’s not signing here. Tony Pollard has left Dallas for the Titans on a three-year deal worth about $7 mil APY. And … additionally, the Packers signed Josh Jacobs (4 years, $48 million), the Giants signed Devin Singletary (3 years, $16.5 million), the Bears signed D’Andre Swift (3 years, $24.5 million), the Chargers signed Gus Edwards (2 years, $6.5 million), the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson (3 years, $11.25 million) and the Bengals signed Moss (2 years, $8 million). … Moss, by the way, did receive a call from Dallas, for what it’s worth.

However, the Cowboys gave up since Moss received $4 million in APY? That reveals Dallas’ true position regarding their plans to shop for players like Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, and Henry.

Wilson Deal of March 11th: $1.2 MILLION! Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the organization have reached an agreement on a one-year contract that is unusual in that it will only cost Wilson’s new team the $1.2 million league minimum. And why? The Broncos, who made the historic trade two seasons ago to acquire Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, will pay Wilson the remaining $38 million on his 2024 contract. However, the entire arrangement failed. Wilson verified the story on social media by sharing a video with the caption “Year 13. Grateful” and tagging the Steelers’ official X account. Wilson visited Pittsburgh last week.

Wilson last year did go 7-8 and threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions. The nine-time Pro Bowler will join his third NFL team in hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl, and he obviously believes the Steelers have the roster around him to make true contention a reality. Wilson’s other weekend visit was with the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys’ rival in the NFC East. MAR 8 PETERSON CUT IN PITTSBURGH Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to release eight-time Pro Bowler cornerback Patrick Peterson, avoiding a $3 million roster bonus that kicks in on March 16. Last offseason, Peterson signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Steelers. His release will free up $6.85 million in cap space for Pittsburgh. Peterson played in all 17 games for Pittsburgh last year, recording two interceptions, 11 passes defended and 42 total tackles. Peterson will likely draw interest from teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, who could lose corner Stephon Gilmore to free agency this offseason.

FEB 13 GIANTS BLOCK DALLAS! The Giants have denied the Cowboys’ request for permission to interview their defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who was once a top assistant in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer. Zimmer is now the Dallas coordinator, and of course an assortment of assistants are leaving, so there are vacancies. Patterson was the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in Minnesota under Zimmer, but New York is going to keep him on staff. Related: Zimmer ‘Slandered My Name!’ Cowboys Coach Sharrif Floyd Moves FEB 12 ZIM OFFICIAL We pause, given the murkiness of the day, to use the word “official,” but here goes … The Dallas Cowboys have a done deal with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as Washington-bound Dan Quinn’s replacement. The “done deal” wasn’t done.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones himself did say as much last Thursday here in Las Vegas for Super Bowl Week. But … CowboysSI.com reported early Monday morning that there was a “contractual” snag on the way to making the official hire. … and then came ESPN’s Adam Schefter with a hazy suggestion that Rex Ryan – who interviewed well with the Jones family a week ago – is re-entering the picture as a candidate. But enough of the murky and the hazy. The Jones family is getting its guy.

FEB 9 DURDE LEAVES, WINK TO WOLVERINES As the Cowboys finalize their arrangement to hire Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator in Dallas, another rumored name is going to college. Michigan is planning to hire former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale as its defensive coordinator, ESPN reports. Related: Cowboys BREAKING: Mike Zimmer Hired By Jerry Jones; 4 Reasons Why Martindale, who was an engineer of some recent top-notch Ravens defenses working under John Harbaugh, will replace Jesse Minter, who became the Chargers defensive coordinator. … where he will be working under Jim Harbaugh, John’s brother, who was just hired by L.A. away from – you guessed it

– Michigan. FEB 9 DURDE TO SEATTLE Like the Cowboys, the Seahawks are searching for a defensive coordinator … and both teams had interviewed Dallas assistant Aden Durde as a candidate to fill that role. In Seattle, Durde, a native of Great Britain, will join rookie head coach Mike Macdonald’s first coaching staff. In Dallas, there is now a vacancy on the staff of just-hired coordinator Mike Zimmer.. The 44-year old Durde has interviewed for the Dallas vacancy and has also drawn interest from other NFL clubs. FEB 6 ZIM IN Mike Zimmer is on the docket for Tuesday and scheduled to interview for the defensive coordinator job for the Cowboys today.