Which former Cowboys should be brought back for a reunion?
The Dallas Cowboys, as we have all come to expect, are taking a rather measured and conservative approach to NFL free agency.
The Cowboys are not often the team to go out and make the biggest splashes in free agency, but they obviously look for under-the-radar types of players like Solomon Thomas for the defensive line or Javonte Williams at running back.
One thing we know about Jerry Jones?
He’s loyal to his guys. The Cowboys do not subscribe to the idea of letting go of players a year too early as opposed to a year too late.
Jones definitely carries sentimental value towards his players which is why it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we could see a handful of reunions in free agency with players who previously spent time in Dallas.
Which situations for a reunion could actually make sense? Let’s take a look at a handful of options.
3 reunions the Dallas Cowboys might consider exploring in 2025
1. Noah Igbinoghene, cornerback
The Cowboys traded for Noah Igbinoghene in 2023 when Dan Quinn was still the defensive coordinator, so he was obviously one of the guys who followed Quinn out the door to Washington when Quinn got the head coaching gig out there. And the former first-round pick also got his best chance yet to actually play some defense, starting 10 games last year for the Commanders and acquitting himself quite well.
He broke up seven passes, racked up a career-high 55 total tackles, and allowed a quarterback rating into his coverage of just 86.4. Maybe the Cowboys didn’t realize what they had with Igbinoghene, who is not only a former first-round pick but is also only 25 years of age.
With the loss of Jourdan Lewis to the Jaguars, a player like Igbinoghene might be a welcomed sight for the Dallas Cowboys.
2. Tyron Smith, offensive tackle
I am willing to bet that it took Jerry Jones everything he had in him last year to actually go through with cutting veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith, especially as well as Smith played for the Cowboys back in the 2023 season when healthy.
Smith’s issues later in his career have obviously been health related but if he is amenable to it, the idea of him coming back to Dallas as a backup to Tyler Guyton and swing player for the line would be interesting. Heck, maybe you even bring Smith in as viable competition for Guyton for the time being. It’s not like Guyton is going anywhere.
Confidence is bred through demonstrated ability, so at some point, Guyton is just going to have to go out there and earn his position on a full-time basis, but how much to the Cowboys want to mess around with the idea of Dak Prescott getting hit on his blind side over and over again? How long would they tolerate that if Guyton struggled this coming season?
And how much would they regret it if they had the chance to bring in a familiar face, passed on that chance, and then ended up needing him down the road?
The offensive line is one area of a roster you simply don’t mess around with. Given the fact that the Cowboys are going to believe they can be competitive in the NFC East this year, skipping the chance to bring Tyron Smith back might not be in their best interests.
Smith played this past season with the New York Jets and the Jets are changing the guard completely, revamping the offensive side of the ball. They also have a first-round pick at tackle waiting in the wings. If the Cowboys want to give Smith one last ride, now is the time.
3. Amari Cooper, wide receiver
It’s time to correct a mistake that should have never been made in the first place. The Dallas Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns a few years ago for a sack of marbles and a coupon for 10 cents off of their next gallon of gas, and Cooper went and had a couple of incredibly productive years with Cleveland.
And all the while, every Dallas fan was clamoring for someone, anyone to step up as a legitimate option opposite CeeDee Lamb in the passing game. Waiting for an absolution that would never come…
Other than the occasional glimpses from players like Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert the last couple of years, the presence of a receiver like Amari Cooper has been missing in a big way. Cooper is just 31 years old and still has plenty to offer. He was traded by the sinking ship that is the Cleveland Browns last season to the Buffalo Bills, and a return to Dallas would certainly not be a bad idea for both parties.
From Cooper’s perspective, you get to go back to a familiar situation and finish your NFL career where you income is tax free. For the Cowboys, you get to right a wrong and give CeeDee Lamb a veteran receiver to pair alongside him who will actually command consistent attention from opposing defenses and make them pay for leaving him in one-on-one situations.
As is always the case, the price has to be right. Given Cooper’s age and situation, he should come at a reasonable rate to upgrade the Dallas offense and make them competitive in the NFC East again.
