Cowboys free agent news: Dallas brings in kicker Greg Zuerlein despite signing Kai Forbath a week ago

During the first week of free agency the Dallas Cowboys made a move that many were happy to see when they re-signed kicker Kai Forbath. Forbath went a perfect 10 of 10 on both field goals and extra points over three games for Dallas last season after the team finally let Brett Maher go. The team insisting that Maher was the guy for them served as a huge disservice to the squad in many ways which was highlighted by Forbath’s perfection.

It seems that in 2020 the team doesn’t plan on taking a conservative approach to finding a player at a position that scores points. They are bringing in competition.

The Cowboys are bringing in kicker Greg Zuerlein

When Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff was first finalized we talked here at BTB about free agents that the team could sign with ties to the group. Dallas already signed a player that McCarthy knows in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and now they have gotten one that special teams coordinator John Fassel is familiar with. Welcome to the team, Greg Zuerlein.

It was just two days before the news of Forbath’s return broke that there were discussions of Dallas having interest in Zuerlein. When Dallas brought Forbath back that seemed to put an end to the discussion, but obviously the Cowboys and/or Zuerlein had some sort of second thoughts.

A potential explanation for all of this might involve the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams (Zuerlein’s now former team). Initially in free agency, defensive lineman Michael Brockers was headed to Baltimore. That deal dissolved and he ultimately returned to the Rams as this week has wrapped up. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Brockers re-joining the Rams took up some resources.

It is possible that the following sequence of events took place:

1. Dallas wanted Greg Zuerlein
2. The Rams were negotiating to pay Zuerlein what he wanted
3. They had cash flexibility due to Michael Brockers joining the Ravens
4. The Cowboys then settled for Kai Forbath
5. Michael Brockers and the Ravens didn’t happen
6. Los Angeles brought Brockers back
7. The Rams could no longer afford to pay Greg Zuerlein what he wanted
8. Zuerlein was willing to join the Cowboys

Given that Zuerlein has a reported three-year deal with the Cowboys, it would stand to reason that the team is making a serious commitment to him. He was 24 of 33 on field goal attempts last season (72.7%) and perfect on extra points.

It seems as if the Cowboys have their kicker of the foreseeable future. What do you think?

Update: 5:50pm ET

ESPN’s Todd Archer has the contract details for Zuerlein.

Carry on.