Commanders 'Made The Most Sense' For Cowboys Ex Dorance Armstrong

The Washington Commanders secured the signing of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong in free agency, and the Kansas product says it was an easy decision to link up with Dan Quinn.

The Washington Commanders have added several key players to their roster in free agency, one of which is former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong.

The 26-year-old joins his former defensive coordinator in Dallas, Dan Quinn, in the nation's capital as he signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Commanders.

Armstrong had plenty of suitors as he hit the market, but when Quinn came calling, it was an easy decision to come to Washington.

“A lot of options out there, and to me, it just made the most sense,” Armstrong said of coming to Washington. “It was the most comfortable decision that I could make. Yeah, it wasn't a hard decision to make for me, honestly.”

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After being a bit-part player in Dallas, Armstrong will look to establish himself as a starter, and he has the talent to do it.

Last season, Armstrong played just 42% of the snaps on defense (one start) for the Cowboys but still managed 7.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and seven tackles for loss. 

In 2022, Armstrong again was a bit-part player, only being on the field for 47% of the snaps, but he still produced 8.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss. So, despite being a rotational player, Armstrong put up good numbers.

Now in Washington and having former Cowboys pass game and secondary coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. as his new defensive coordinator, Armstrong has all the faith in the world that Whitt. Jr will hit the ground running for the Commanders.

“I think he'll do fantastic,” Armstrong said. “He's going to transfer the things that we were doing over there to over here and just look for our defense to be something very special.”

Commanders Dramatically Remodel Roster at Start of Free Agency

Washington has done some fine business during free agency, and in Armstrong, get a talented pass rusher who showed he can be a difference-maker while having limited playing time.

Now with the Commanders, Armstrong will look to have a big say in how the Washignton defense plays moving forward.