Dallas Cowboys agree to sign safety George Iloka; Bridge player?
Late Saturday night, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with free agent safety George Iloka. Is he the destined starter or just a bridge player?
Native Texan. Check. Boise State alum. Check. Need at safety. Check. All the boxes were checked for free agent veteran safety George Iloka to sign with the Dallas Cowboys. And after visiting with the team on Friday, that’s exactly what Iloka agreed to do on Saturday night.
According to several sources, the Cowboys have agreed to a one-year deal with the soon-to-be 29-year old Iloka. He’ll now join the depth chart in Dallas which currently features Jeff Heath, Xavier Woods, Kavon Frazier, Darian Thompson and Jameill Showers at safety.
Originally a fifth-round selection out of Boise State back in 2012, the same year former Broncos’ quarterback turned Cowboys’ new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore went undrafted, Iloka spent his first six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. His best year coming in 2014 when he recorded 74 total tackles, 10 pass defends, three interceptions.
The Bengals primary starter at safety since 2013, Cincinnati suddenly released Iloka before the start of last season. He ended up signing a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth $790K along with a $90K signing bonus.
But the veteran safety underwhelm in Minnesota, starting in just three games for the Vikings and posting 16 total tackles plus one forced fumble playing in just 11.16 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018. Iloka was more of a special teamer, recording 238 total snaps on that unit.
In Iloka the Cowboys get an experienced, durable veteran who has started a whopping 79 games in the NFL. And despite playing at free safety for most of his career, Dallas is apparently wanting to play him at strong safety, presumably to replace Jeff Heath as their starter.
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But because of his age and the length of his deal, the signing of George Iloka with the Dallas Cowboys can’t be seen anything other than insurance. Iloka is at best a bridge player for the Cowboys’ eventual starter at safety, whom they’ll likely find in the upcoming draft.