Dallas Cowboys release former first-round pick who plans to retire

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing former first-round pick Gareon Conley, who informed the team he intends to retire.

Dec 29, 2019; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Houston Texans cornerback Gareon Conley (22) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Gareon Conley era did not last long.

Conley, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys on June 18, has been released after informing the team that he intends to retire. Todd Archer of ESPN was first to report the news.

Dallas signed the former first-round pick after a standout season with the DC Defenders of the UFL.

The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback Gareon Conley.

The former first-round pick was signed on June 18 after a standout season in the UFL with the DC Defenders.

This comes after the Cowboys made two additions at the receiver position on Saturday.#DallasCowboys

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 28, 2024

Conley was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He spent nearly two-and-a-half seasons with the Raiders before being traded to the Houston Texans for a third-round pick.

Conley spent two seasons with the Texans, but the team declined the option on his contract, and he was a free agent in 2021.

He joined the DC Defenders after spending three years out of football.

Defensive back is an area of strength for the Cowboys, with All-Pros Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland slated as the starters. Jourdan Lewis holds down the slot corner position, while while fifth-round pick Caelen Carson provides additional depth and appears to be in line for some rotational work.

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