Cowboys tried to offer Greg Zuerlein less money before he went to Jets

When news initially broke on Saturday that former Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein would be signing with the New York Jets, our initial thoughts were “wow, the Jets just really love to lose don’t they?” Greg the Leg was picked up by New York on a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. To jog your memory, the Cowboys cut Zuerlein after an incredibly inconsistent season. Although he reunited with former special teams coach John Fassel, the kicker never looked like the star player he was back in 2017 in his time with Dallas.

Last season was particularly rocky for Zuerlein. He made only 82% of his field-goal attempts. He had a dismal 87.5% point after attempt percentage due to missing six extra-point kicks (the most in the league). Let’s also not forget that the Cowboys lost three games last season by three points or less… guess who missed at least one kick in all of those games?

The idea that the Jets wanted this guy on their roster was hilarious. But then, David Helman reported that the Cowboys actually tried to offer Zuerlein a reduced contract to come back. Reduced contract or not, why on Earth are you trying to bring this guy back to your team?! After cutting Zuerlein to free up $2.5 million of cap space and knowing how bad he was, why not just let another team deal with him? It makes no sense, and it’s probably fair to say that Cowboys fans are glad that the Jets ended up picking him up.

But Zuerlein’s celebrations for his contract were halted just two days later when the Jets announced they’d be re-signing their restricted free-agent kicker Eddy Pineiro. Back in the competition ring, Greg! Pineiro has been tossed around the league since 2018 and has had very little playing time since. The two will likely compete in training camp and the Jets will have to cut one and endure the cost.

The Cowboys reportedly tried to offer Greg Zuerlein an opportunity to return to the team on a reduced deal before he signed with the New York Jets

I’m just not sure which is more embarrassing… The Jets picking up Zuerlein for an unearned $2.75 million just to re-sign their inexperienced kicker to an additional $2.75 million OR the Cowboys trying to barter with Zuerlein after cutting him for his lack of service. It’s a close call. Head coach Mike McCarthy even told reporters on Tuesday that he was hoping Zuerlein would return.

For now, Cowboys fans can have faith that Greg the Leg isn’t returning. However, the team still needs a kicker. Chris Naggar is on a futures contract, but the team likely wants something more reliable than that. There are some veteran kickers still available in free agency and there happens to be a good helping of kickers in this year’s draft. The problem with the draft is that the list of positional needs to fill is already long for Dallas.

However, if they can make room for a kicker in the draft, keep your eyes out for Texas’s Cameron Dicker, LSU’s Cade York, Oklahoma’s Gabe Brkic, and Wake Forest’s Nick Sciba. Let’s hope the Cowboys find someone other than Zuerlein to throw their pennies at.