Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington has not played in the NFL since 2013 due to repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Washington, who was just reinstated by the NFL, found himself promptly released by the Cardinals following that decision. The first team to show real interest in his services was the Dallas Cowboys. Imagine that.
For his part, the now 30-year-old Washington is openly campaigning to join the defending NFC East champs.
“Why not be a Cowboy? I’m settled in here. It’s home. Let’s try to get one this year. Come on Mr. (Jerry)Jones, you’ll be glad you took a chance on me,” Washington told Pro Football Talk. “We’ll hold up that Lombardi Trophy together.”
To be fair, the Cowboys are in need of an inside linebacker following the entire Rolando McClain fiasco. If healthy and motivated to remain clean off the field, Washington would be a tremendous running partner for Sean Lee on that defense. For the cash-strapped Cowboys, he would also come cheap. That’s a big factor in all this.
A native of Dallas, Washington was once seen as one of the best young linebackers in the game prior to falling victim to his own demons. Back in 2012 with the Cardinals, this TCU product put up 134 tackles and nine sacks en route to earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. If Dallas is indeed sold on Washington as a potential option, he surely looks ready to join the team.