There are a handful of veteran free agents still on the board across the NFL that could, conceivably, still help the Dallas Cowboys as they look to put the finishing touches on their rebuilt and revamped defense for this season. They’ve overhauled every unit on that side of the ball and could well wind up with at least five new starters, perhaps more. They could still use some depth at cornerback, but according to one report, that does not mean they will go and sign veteran free agent Kenny Moore.
Last week, the Colts gave up on finding a trade partner for Moore and decided to simply release him at Moore’s request.
Reported Ian Rapoport of NFL Network: “Kenny Moore, versatile defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts, made a ton of money for the Colts and a ton of plays. His resume as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL, he asked for and received his release, he had about $10 million, the Colts tried to trade him. He now is a free agent looking to join a contender as the final piece.”
Answer on Kenny Moore: ‘No’
Now, this sounds like a move that could fit the Cowboys to a T. Moore is a veteran who could likely be signed on a reasonable, short-term deal with the hopes of joining a win-now outfit. After this offseason, with the defensive changes and the return of one of the best offenses in the NFL, the Cowboys no doubt qualify as such.
But as longtime Cowboys reporter Mike Fisher noted in a recent post, a source gave him a one-word answer on Moore landing in Dallas: “No.”
The Cowboys can’t rule out circling back around to Moore–who can play the slot, a role the Cowboys have mostly envisioned being filled by new safeties like Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson–but as things stand, apparently, there is no interest from Dallas.
Cowboys Would Have Questions
Fisher wrote that there would be too many questions around Kenny Moore for the Cowboys to take an interest. Among them: “Why couldn’t the Colts find a trade partner? Why did they cut him while eating $6 million (meaning they’d rather lose the room than keep the player)? Would Dallas really take a flier on a 31-year-old player who now seems limited to playing in the slot only – which is where Downs will line up?”
That’s all fair, but it should be pointed out that teams release veterans all the time to save salary. After all, the Packers were about to release Rashan Gary before Dallas stepped to deal a future fourth-round pick.
Moore is aging, though, and is not the player he was in 2021, when he earned his Pro Bowl bid. He does remain a sensible veteran depth piece–he allowed a passer rating of 87.8 last year, and was graded out as the No. 37 cornerback in the NFL at Pro Football Focus.
Maybe the Cowboys like what they have with the youth they’ve added. But there are health concerns around DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel, two players who will be relied upon next year, so it’s certainly worth it for the Cowboys to keep Moore in mind.
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