Cowboys free agent Johnathan Hankins re-signs with one-year contract

The Dallas Cowboys are keeping veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins around for at least another season. The two parties inked a new one-year deal for $1.5 million, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Hankins joined Dallas in October in a trade that sent the Cowboys’ 2023 sixth-round pick to the Raiders, and a 2024 seventh round pick back to Dallas. He had a base salary of $684,444 for the 2022 season with the Cowboys. His previous deal with the Raiders was for one year, $1.33 million, down from his one-year, $3.5 million deal made the year before.

The 10-year veteran out of Ohio State came in to bolster the Cowboys’ already stout defensive line group. He played in several games, then tore a pectoral muscle, and made his return in time for the playoffs. He finished the year with five postseason tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, as well as 10 tackles in five regular season games.

Prior to joining Dallas for the end of the season, Hankins had 10 tackles in five games for the Raiders. In 10 seasons with the Giants, Colts, and Raiders, Hankins had a combined 366 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 47 QB hits, and 14.5 sacks. Now, Hankins returns for yet another season in Dallas on a defense that continues to trend up.

After a successful career at Ohio State, Hankins No. 49 overall in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft to the Giants.

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.