Cowboys free agent CJ Goodwin signs new contract

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back one of their special teams staples for 2023. Dallas inked free agent C.J. Goodwin to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to multiple reports

Goodwin played the 2021 and 2022 seasons on a two-year, $3.5 million deal. He was the team’s special teams tackles leader in 2020 and 2021 and followed it up with an eight-tackle season in 2022.

Goodwin, a West Virginia native, played his college football at three different schools before joining the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. His first deal with the Steelers was for for three years and $1.53 million but they ultimately waved him.

The Cowboys special teamer is going into his eighth season in the NFL. He’s had stints with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Arizona, New York, Cincinnati and San Francisco. However, his tenure in Dallas has been the longest. Goodwin started his Cowboys career playing in three games in 2018 but became a staple in 2019.

On top of his tackles on special teams, Goodwin has also come up with some critical big plays, including punts downed inside the 10-yard line and even an onside kick recovery.

The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed three other pending free agents already. They locked in Leighton Vander Esch, Donovan Wilson and Tony Pollard. They’ve also added cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Colts. There are still a dozen Cowboys free agents awaiting their fate for the 2023 season. Running back Ezekiel Elliott learned on Wednesday that after seven seasons, his time with Dallas is over.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

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

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by 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 are 722 players slated to become free agents in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.