3 players Cowboys should hold off on giving contract extensions

2. Jayron Kearse

Jayron Kearse was one of the many excellent finds of the past few years by the pro scouting department, becoming a leader on the defense and one third of one of the better safety trios in the NFL.

Kearse provides a valuable skill set with the strength and size to handle tight ends in man coverage, but also the length and athletic ability to hold up in coverage. Of the other two safeties, Donovan Wilson was recently inked to a new contract and Malik Hooker will likewise be up for a new extension after this coming season if his performance and health holds up.

Of the two, Hooker is younger, 27 versus Kearse’s 30 years, and provides a skillset more difficult to replace as a true deep safety.

The market for Kearse was not overly competitive when he was a free agent in 2022 so a potential resigning at the right price is still possible, but for now the Cowboys would be better suited being patient with an extension, especially after he played banged up for most of last season.