Dallas Cowboys: Why David Irving will likely sign his tender

The Dallas Cowboys took a risk by placing a second round tender on streaky sack artist David Irving. It’s still nothing to worry over.

By now most fans are aware of the Dallas Cowboys‘ less secure, restricted free agent offer to starting defensive tackle David Irving.

The team chose to save a little over $1.2 million by not offering the highest (first round) tender. Instead Irving received the second round tender of $2.914 million.

Irving will stay in Dallas another season unless he agrees to a more lucrative deal with another team and the Cowboys refuse to match it.

If Irving does depart, the poaching team would forfeit a second round pick to compensate Dallas for their loss.

STREAKY PHENOM ON THE FIELD

On the surface it seems ridiculous to dangle a 24-year old, versatile defensive lineman who can absolutely dominate when on his game.

He showed freakish production in a stretch spanning his final three games in 2016 through his first four in 2017. The monstrous DT (6’7, 273) notched nine total sacks over seven games.

Unfortunately, Irving also disappeared and went sackless for long stretches. He had one sack in his first 13 games in 2016, and a solo sack in his last four games in 2017.

UNPREDICTABLE RISKS OFF THE FIELD

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It would be an understatement to say Irving is a wildcard who beats to the tune of his own drum.

In college he was kicked off his Iowa State team before his Senior season for taking part in a public riot type of event.

Punishable behavior has already reappeared in the NFL. Last season he was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED substance abuse policy.

Two games after reinstatement his defiance resurfaced by raising his fist during the national anthem. No matter how fans view that action, it was done knowing Cowboys ownership was desperately trying to avoid the national controversy.

A final concern arose after suffering a recent bad concussion. It was serious enough to miss the final four games while his teammates were chasing the playoffs.

All this amounts to a player with phenom potential but multiple risky characteristics. It’s no shock Dallas had no interest in offering a long-term deal.

POACHING POTENTIAL IS LOW

For all the reasons listed above, it’s not likely another team will open the checkbook and pay Irving anywhere near the top tier of defensive tackles.

A team forfeiting a second round pick will demand at least a four year contract. Which is the contract duration of a rookie drafted in the second round.

Dallas’ tender could be bested by a measly 4 years/$12 million. Irving would even be a steal in a larger contract of 4 years/$20 million. But would he consider it?

$5 million per year is far more than he’s ever made and provides security. Yet it’s peanuts for a player capable of being the top defensive tackle in 2019 free agency.

He only played in 8 games in 2017 and recorded 7 sacks. Irving could easily post 10+ sacks over a full 16-game season in 2018.

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A double-digit sack season would attract a huge deal in 2019. With the talent to accomplish this, it’s likely he’ll bet on himself and reject less than a big payday.

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