The Dallas Cowboys have dealt with issues on the defensive side of the ball all season long, and now injuries are further magnifying some of those holes, especially in the secondary.
With safety Malik Hooker likely sidelined for multiple weeks after suffering a toe injury, owner/general manager Jerry Jones and the front office need to swallow their pride and open their checkbook to ensure the Cowboys don't fall even further behind in the NFC East race. Jones has referenced the "building" this group has done in the secondary over four weeks, but the results suggest his optimism is unfounded.
This is why veteran free agent and four-time All-Pro selection Justin Simmons is the perfect fit for this struggling secondary in Dallas.
Cowboys Must Add Justin Simmons to Help Fix Struggling Secondary
Simmons is one of several free agent safeties available for Dallas to pursue at this time. This was by design as the four-time All-Pro wanted the opportunity to be more selective when deciding where to continue his career after spending the 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hooker is missing time with a toe injury, which is forcing Juanyeh Thomas into the starting spot, alongside Donovan Wilson, who has had plenty of issues of his own this season. Expecting these two to be the final lines of defense for the Cowboys' secondary is a risky proposition, and Jones should know that.
Pursuing a deal with Simmons not only allows Thomas to remain in the role he is better suited to fill but also provides Dallas with a replacement option for Wilson once Hooker returns, as Simmons played strong safety at different points in his career. It's also worth noting that he tallied a Pro Football Focus tackling grade of 77.2 or better in six of his last nine games with the Falcons in 2024.
Given their current record of 1-2-1, Dallas needs to string wins together in a hurry. Fortunately, they have the potential to do that over the next three weeks against the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and an injury-riddled Washington Commanders roster. These are all must-win games for the Cowboys, and Jones owes it to the fan base to ensure he's putting the best possible roster together for Brian Schottenheimer to coach.
There are no guarantees that Dallas can convince Simmons to sign with them; that is just the way free agency works. You cannot fault Jones and the Cowboys if Simmons signs with another team. However, if Dallas does not make any attempt to add a player like Simmons to the backend of the defense, the front office deserves all the criticism it will receive.