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Cowboys Reload Pass Rush with $11M Ex-Pro Bowler Cast Off by Lions

May 22, 2025
Frisco, TX

The Dallas Cowboys have made a notable move by entering negotiations to sign veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who was released by the Detroit Lions in April. At 32 years old, Smith remains a significant threat, recording 9 sacks in the 2024 season despite limited playing time. The Lions’ decision to cut him was purely financial—they couldn’t afford his $11 million salary—not due to his performance.

The Cowboys, having lost Dorance Armstrong and with DeMarcus Lawrence potentially nearing retirement, are in need of a player like Smith to maintain their defensive strength. The team finished 2024 ranked 6th in sacks, but their Wild Card loss highlighted a lack of experience and finishing ability. Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, could be the perfect piece alongside Micah Parsons, creating a dual threat for opposing offenses. “Putting Smith opposite Parsons on third down is a dangerous move,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick noted.

With $15.8 million in cap space, the Cowboys can offer Smith a one-year deal worth $10–11 million, potentially with incentives. Beyond his ability to pressure quarterbacks, Smith brings stability in run defense and veteran leadership to a young Cowboys squad. However, risks remain—Smith is 32 and injury-prone. If managed well, he could help the Cowboys go deeper in the 2025 season. This is a gamble, but one worth taking for a Super Bowl run.

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Entire Giants Fanbase Erupts Calling for Josh McDaniels to Come to MetLife After Loss to Patriots – But His Emotional Response Leaves Fans Stunned
Foxborough, Massachusetts – After the New England Patriots’ dominant 33-15 victory over the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium, football conversation exploded in a way no one saw coming. While the Patriots continued to solidify their status as the AFC’s top contender, the entire Giants fanbase turned its attention to one name on the opposite sideline: Josh McDaniels. The brilliance of Drake Maye and the New England offensive system sparked a wildfire at MetLife Stadium demanding the architect of that attack be brought to New York. On social media, the slogan “Bring McDaniels to MetLife” spread at lightning speed. They saw in him the figure who could resurrect a dying offense and redirect the career of a franchise desperately searching for its identity. With the Giants expected to make major changes in the offseason, McDaniels instantly became viewed as the ideal candidate — an offensive mind proven by every breakthrough Maye has displayed. But just hours after the recruitment wave peaked, the NFL community was left stunned by McDaniels’ decision. Instead of showing interest in the chance to lead one of the league’s most storied franchises, he gently but firmly shut down every overture from New York. McDaniels made it clear he is pouring his entire heart into the journey with the Patriots and has no desire to leave while the project he is building is still taking shape. In a statement that instantly set Patriots Nation ablaze, McDaniels shared: “I’m grateful for the interest, but I feel like I’m building something special here. Drake, Coach Vrabel, and this entire locker room — everything makes me believe New England still has many great chapters ahead. I want to stay and finish it.” Those words spread like wildfire, becoming a symbol of his commitment to the team. This decision not only reinforced Patriots fans’ faith but also sent a powerful message about the culture Vrabel is building. While many other teams are looking for head coaches as short-term fixes, McDaniels has chosen to stay with the long-term vision — where he sees his future and Drake Maye’s future as one. And with the Patriots soaring at 11-2, the NFL world may have just realized: in Foxborough, a new dynasty is taking shape.