Cowboys Urged to Sign $94 Million NFL All-Pro LB for Struggling Run Defense

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys defense — they were really bad in 2024. Like, close to the worst in the NFL.

The Cowboys were 28th in team defense and even worse against the run, finishing 30th. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has trying to improve the run defense as one of Dallas’ top priorities remaining this offseason.

The problem for the Cowboys right now is they can’t really do anything on defense to move the unit forward until they settle the contract situation of NFL All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who could become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history with his new deal.

After that, Knox thinks one player the Cowboys might bring in who could make an impact — and stop teams from running up the middle — is 5-time NFL All-Pro and free agent linebacker C.J. Mosley.

“Once Dallas has sorted out Parsons’ situation, it should seek additional help for a run defense that ranked 30th in yards per carry allowed last season,” Knox wrote on June 17. “Players like C.J. Mosley and Raekwon Davis could help strengthen the depth of Dallas’ front seven.”

Mosley, who will be 33 years old when the season starts, would not just add depth but could very well be pressed into starting duty in Dallas. That’s because one of the projected starters, DeMarvion Overshown, won’t be back on the field until at least Thanksgiving. There’s a chance Overshown might not even play in 2025 after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024.

“Linebacker C.J. Mosley wasn’t released with a ‘failed physical’ designation, so he’s presumably healthy after missing significant time last season with a herniated disc in his neck,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote on March 16. “Mosley, who turns 33 on June 19, apparently isn’t ready to retire. He’s still looking for a team.”

 

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Mosley Has Been Dominant LB in Past

The Cowboys would be lucky to squeeze one more great season out of Mosley, who has been one of the NFL’s dominant inside linebackers for the last decade.

Mosley was a 2-time All-American and 2-time BCS National Champion at Alabama and won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 2013 before the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the first round (No. 17 overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.

Mosley earned NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors 4 of his first 5 seasons and signed a 5-year, $85 million free agent contract with the New York Jets in March 2019.

Like anyone who plays for the Jets is bound to do, Mosley saw his career go off a cliff in New York. He missed all but 2 games over the next 2 seasons after groin surgery in 2019 and sitting out all of the 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Mosley, who has approximately $94 million in career earnings through the 2024 season, bounced back with 3 consecutive seasons of at least 150 tackles from 2021 to 2023 and earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the fifth. He missed all but 4 games in 2024 with toe and neck injuries.

The Cowboys made several moves to shore up their inside linebackers in the offseason — although neither inspires much confidence. Dallas traded for former first round pick Kenneth Murray Jr. and signed Jack Sanborn to a 1-year, $1.5 million free agent contract.