Cowboys DE Dorance Armstrong expected to sign new contract with Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys are losing defensive end Dorance Armstrong to former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders, according to NFL report Jeremy Fowler. Armstrong is expected to sign a new deal out of free agency with the Cowboys’ NFC East rival. The deal is reportedly for three years with a maximum value of $45 million.

The defender first joined Dallas on a four-year, $3.12 million rookie deal, then he signed a two-year extension for $12 million. That extended contract ran out at the end of the 2023 season, which concluded in the first round of the playoffs for the Cowboys.

Armstrong played all 17 games for Dallas this season, starting one opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. He posted a career-high for tackles during the regular season with 38 and he also had 7.5 sacks. Over the last two years, he’s had 16 sacks, plus 9.5 tackles for loss with a forced fumble and two recoveries. He was second on the team in sacks this season behind only Micah Parsons.

The Cowboys snagged Armstrong in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Kansas. They took him with the No. 116 overall pick. He attended North Shore High School in Texas then went on to earn first-team and second-team All-Big 12 honors while starring for the Jayhawks.

Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ free agents includes Tyron Smith, Stephon Gilmore, Tyler Biadasz, Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Johnathan Hankins, Neville Gallimore, Dante Fowler Jr., Chuma Edoga, Noah Igbinoghene and Rico Dowdle.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 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. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 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 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.