You could make a legitimate case that the most important free agent on the Dallas Cowboys is linebacker Anthony Hitchens.
I say this because the likelihood of both DeMarcus Lawrence and David Irving staying seems relatively high, one way or another, we’re talking about players who have a legitimate chance of leaving.
Considering the health statuses of both Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, not to mention that Jaylon still has a lot of room to grow and learn, Hitchens is valuable to the Cowboys linebacker depth.
There are many, hoards of people actually, who want the Cowboys to draft Georgia’s Roquan Smith in the first round, but banking on him lasting to the 19th pick is a pretty precarious way to handle things.
All of this adds to Hitchens’ value, and at least we now know what Hitchens himself values. He took to Instagram on Wednesday to reflect on the season, and his line at the end makes it clear that he wants to return to Dallas.
Impending free agent Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens took to Instagram to reflect on his season and had a line at the end that could be a preview of free agency: “Hopefully I continue my career here..” pic.twitter.com/szYCFlPhAe
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) January 3, 2018
There could be a lot of changes for the Cowboys linebackers in 2018. Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones have both hinted at shifts on the coaching staff, and linebackers coach Matt Eberflus’ contract is ending.
If Dallas is going to have a new position coach the best thing is to have a corps of savvy veterans and promising young players for whoever takes the reigns. Dallas would have this in Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, and Jaylon Smith.
Will the Cowboys be able to retain Anthony Hitchens? Only time will tell. For now, it appears they at least have an advantage of sorts. Hopefully they can capitalize on it.