While the Dallas Cowboys are still fighting to stay in the playoff race, it’s already clear the franchise will have a lot of business to take care of in the offseason, regardless of how the rest of the year plays out.
Like always, Dallas has some contract situations to figure out, and a few pending free agents who could be saying goodbye to the team this offseason.
One of the veterans who could be moving on from the Cowboys in the offseason is safety Donovan Wilson. The veteran defender has been a staple on Dallas' defense for seven seasons now. As his seventh season with the team nears an end, an eighth year with the team is looking increasingly unlikely.
Donovan Wilson could be playing his final games with the Cowboys
Wilson was drafted by Dallas in the sixth round of the 2019 Draft, and by his second season, he was an impact starter for the team. Now, seven seasons and a three-year contract extension later, the safety has played in 92 games for the Cowboys, starting 69. In his seven seasons, he has recorded 422 tackles, 13 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 18 pass deflections, and eight interceptions.
While Wilson is still a contributing starter, he is in the final season of his contract. Set to enter free agency this offseason, a return to Dallas could definitely be an option, but the team may decide to go in a different direction. Currently, the Cowboys' two starting safeties are Wilson and Malik Hooker. Wilson turns 31 this offseason, and Hooker will be turning 30.
While both are still productive, Dallas needs to start thinking about the future, and getting younger in the secondary. Since Hooker is signed beyond this season already, Donovan Wilson could be the safety the team says farewell to first.
While getting younger at the position is an understandable philosophy, it’s not always an easy one. If the Cowboys do actually have to replace Wilson this offseason, they could turn to young safeties already on the roster, like Markquese Bell, sign someone in free agency, or draft a promising safety.
Of course, Dallas will have options; it’s just a matter of whether they’ll actually have to explore those options.