Cowboys to Sign Chiefs LB to Replace Leighton Vander Esch?

After the loss of Leighton Vander Esch to a season-ending injury, inside linebacker is a glaring need for the Dallas Cowboys defense this offseason.

If Jerry Jones is true to his word of being "all in" in 2024, then fans should expect the Dallas Cowboys to be among the spenders in free agency. After years of being prudent in the offseason, mostly building through the NFL Draft while typically bargain-shopping in free agency, the Cowboys claim they are looking to push all their chips to the middle of the table.

With inside linebacker, offensive tackle, and running back all looking like areas of improvement for the Cowboys, they could solve some, if not all, in free agency. CBS Sports has Dallas addressing their need for an inside backer by signing Kansas City Chief Willie Gay Jr.

"Gay has now been a part of two title-winning defenses in K.C., even though his numbers have never been gaudy," Cody Benjamin writes. "He'll probably be among the most affordable of their homegrown free agents on this side of the ball, but even then, re-signing Drue Tranquill or leaning on Nick Bolton is probably more likely.”

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So, with the projection of the Chiefs opting to re-sign Tranquill and Bolton over him, the site projects that Gay will move south and sign with the linebacker-needy Cowboys on a two-year deal worth $13 million. 

The Cowboys were short on bodies at linebacker last season, losing Leighton Vander Esch to injury. Damone Clark, the former fifth-round pick, quickly became the most experienced starter at the second level of the Dallas defense. At the same time, Markquese Bell, the converted safety listed at just 205 pounds, was his primary partner.

While Clark and Bell held their own in pass coverage, as Pro Football Focus graded Bell at an eye-popping 87.6 and Clark at 69.1, the loss of Vander Esch was felt most against the run. Which is the strength of Gay's game per PFF, who graded his run defense at 71.3 this past season.

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At 6-foot-2 and 243 pounds, Gay brings the type of body the Cowboys need at the second level. The former second-round pick out of Mississippi State started in 15 of his 16 games this past season for Kansas City, totaling 58 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, an interception, and a forced fumble. 

If being "all in" is truly the goal for the Cowboys this offseason, then Gay is a signing that the Cowboys could make that wouldn't break the bank but would certainly improve their roster.