Getty Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver James Washington.
Veteran wide receiver James Washington’s stint with the Dallas Cowboys did not go as planned, but the wideout is hoping things can go differently with the New Orleans Saints. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Washington has agreed to terms with the Saints, where he will be part of a new-look offense along with Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr.
“Free agent wide receiver James Washington is signing one-year deal with the Saints, per source,” Fowler tweeted on May 15, 2023. “Former second-round pick with the Steelers is now a new target for Derek Carr.”
Washington signed with the Cowboys during the 2022 offseason with the expectation that he would be the favorite to play alongside CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup as the third wideout in a potent offense. But then he sustained a serious foot injury during training camp.
Cowboys News: James Washington Failed to Record a Catch During His 2 Appearances With Dallas
He was sidelined for the majority of the 2022 season with the injury before appearing in Weeks 14 and 15. Washington failed to record a reception and had just one target. He was declared inactive the next two weeks and then released on January 4, a few days before the Cowboys’ final game of the season. Dallas had signed former Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton ahead of the playoffs, and his playing a key role on offense to close out the season paved the way for Washington’s release.
He signed a practice squad deal with the New York Giants, but his stint with New York lasted less than one month before being released again. The bad news for the Cowboys is that neither Washington or rookie Jalen Tolbert were able to take firm control of the WR3 role last season. The Cowboys flirted with the idea of signing Odell Beckham Jr. but ultimately determined that he was not physically ready to play last season.
NFC Exec on James Washington: ‘He’s Still a Pretty Decent Possession Receiver’
Washington’s best statistical season came with the Steelers in 2019, when he posted 44 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns. It remains to be seen if Washington can bounce back with the Saints in 2023. During conversations with Heavy Sports NFL insider Matt Lombardo, one NFC executive labeled Washington as a “pretty decent possession receiver.”
“But, he doesn’t have much play-speed at this point,” the exec said.
Brandin Cooks on Dak Prescott: ‘I Look Forward to Having a Leader Like That’
As for the Cowboys, Dallas is hoping that the acquisition of speedster Brandin Cooks means the offense will have a consistent receiver rotation along with the presence of Lamb and Gallup. Cooks is already looking forward to playing with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as the duo has been working out together this offseason.
“I think his mindset that he brings to the game,” Cooks told DallasCowboys.com during a March 22 interview. “You hear how his approach, his work ethic, the leader that he is, his story, his perseverance that he bounced back throughout his career. I think when you got a mindset like that at quarterback, it takes you a long way. I look forward to having a leader like that.”