It was a foregone conclusion that Dan Quinn would sign multiple Dallas Cowboys free agents. A player's coach through and through, Quinn had the respect of the Cowboys locker room and developed personal bonds with seemingly all of his players.
With ample holes to fill on the Commanders roster, it was surmised Quinn would sprinkle signing former Cowboys with big-ticket moves at various positions. Just three hours into the NFL's legal tampering period, though, Quinn has already plucked multiple Dallas free agents.
First, Quinn signed defensive end Dorance Armstrong, which really seemed inevitable given what insiders learned at the Combine. Shortly thereafter, Quinn's Commanders inked center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year contract.
It definitely stings to see Armstrong and Biadasz sign with a rival, but Cowboys fans might find themselves celebrating the news after they see the contracts Quinn handed to Biadasz and Armstrong.
Per reports, Armstrong got three years at a max of $45 million. A former fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in 2018, Armstrong is criminally underrated, but not even his most ardent supporters wouldn't concede he's worth that much.
The #Commanders are signing former #Cowboys edge Dorance Armstrong to a 3-year deal worth $45M max value, source said. Another Dan Quinn favorite.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
Dan Quinn grossly overpaid for Cowboys free agents Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz
First off, good for Armstrong. Over the last three seasons, he's posted 21 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits. That's impressive production for a part-time player. He's more than deserving of a pay day and becoming a featured piece in a pass-rush unit.
From Quinn's perspective, though, that's a heck of a price to pay for someone who's never played more than 56% of the snaps in a season. It's possible Armstrong's contract pays him more annually than the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence, Cam Jordan, Josh Sweat and Matt Judon, who are all established studs in the league.
This roll of the dice could pay off for Quinn, but $45 million feels rich for Armstrong.
Similarly, Quinn overpaid for Biadasz, who got three years and $30 million. If accurate, Biadasz's $10 million salary would make him the NFL's seventh-highest-paid center in terms of annual average value. Many highly-respected Cowboys talking heads believe Dallas can improve at center in the upcoming draft.
Gotta see base value, and I like Armstrong plenty, but if Biadasz is truly 3/$30M and Armstrong is in this ballpark, that's some major Commanders tax at play/Dan Quinn taking care of his fellas no matter the cost https://t.co/rzI9JXdpUk
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 11, 2024
Biadasz is a quality player, but $5-8 million per year was the expectation here. The fact he crossed double digits in AAV is nothing short of stunning. The Commanders desperately need offensive line help, but Quinn might have reached some to lure the former Cowboy to the nation's capital.
If Quinn is willing to overpay for Cowboys free agents, allow us to do the honors of rolling out the red carpet for Jayron Kearse and Neville Gallimore.