Dallas Cowboys interested in free agent linebacker Nick Morrow

As the Dallas Cowboys continue negotiations with pending free agent linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, a report has emerged linking the team to another linebacker. Dallas Morning News report Michael Gehlken said Tuesday that the Cowboys have “shown interest” in Chicago Bears free agent Nick Morrow.

Morrow spent one season with Chicago, racking up 116 tackles, an interception and 13 tackles for loss in 2022.

The undrafted free agent out of Greenville University is going into his seventh year in the league in 2023. The past season was his best yet, having previously tallied 78 tackles, including three sacks, in 2020 for the Raiders.

Morrow did not play in the 2021 season after suffering an injury to his ankle in the preseason. He signed a one-year deal for $4.5 million in 2021 before joining the Bears for $3 million in 2022.

His calculated market value after this season is a two-year deal for just over $7.7 million, according to Spotrac, which likely makes him a cheaper option than Vander Esch for Dallas.

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.