Cowboys free agent Jake McQuaide signs new one-year contract with Detroit

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a new long snapper after free agent Jake McQuaide signed a deal with the Detroit Lions on Monday. Following his visit to Detroit, the 12th-year veteran out of Ohio State signed a new deal for one year, $1.3 million.

McQuaide played the 2022 season for Dallas on a one-year, $1.27 million extension after originally joining in 2021 on another one-year, $1.2 million deal. Unfortunately, his season ended early after he tore his tricep in October.

The injury forced Dallas to add Matt Overton to the active roster after four games from McQuaide. Overton is also currently a free agent. The Cowboys could be looking at a full revamp of the special teams unit since kicker Brett Maher is also on the free agent market.

The 35-year-old long snapper started his career as an undrafted free agent. He was a long-time member of the Rams, sticking with the team through their move from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

In 12 seasons in the NFL, McQuaide has banked just over $11 million in career earnings. He was the 15th highest-paid long snapper during the 2022 season.

An Ohio native, McQuaide started for the Ohio State Buckeyes after walking on to the program and later earning a scholarship. He was part of three conference title-winning teams.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

So far, several Cowboys players have joined new teams – including Connor McGovern, Noah Brown and Luke Gifford. Several more have re-signed with Dallas, including special teams star C.J. Goodwin.

The NFL 2023 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially ran out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. The Cowboys used their franchise tag this year on Tony Pollard.

The legal negotiation period spanned from March 13 through March 15. The new year marked the beginning of all trades going official per the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.

There were 722 players due to hit free agency in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.