The Dallas Cowboys have made a couple of low-cost additions to the roster this offseason, which is their typical approach in free agency, and that didn't change this spring.
The Cowboys have a new identity on the defensive side of the ball, as Matt Eberflus took over as the defensive coordinator. Dallas also brought in DL coach Aaron Whitecotton, who was over with the New York Jets.
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Dallas and he revealed that Whitecotton played a big role in him landing with the Cowboys,
"Thomas said, When I saw Coach Whitecotton signed with Dallas, I was super excited because I was like, 'Dang, this may be a chance for me to play at home, to play under Whitecotton another year, and to make everything aligned.' I was manifesting it right away when I saw that happen. I was like, 'I want to be a Dallas Cowboy. I want to come home. I don't want to have to move any more. This is where I want to play. This is where I want to win."
New Cowboys DT Solomon Thomas recently played with the New York Jets. Their defensive line coach was Aaron Whitecotton, who is now DL coach in Dallas.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 18, 2025
Thomas: "When I saw Coach Whitecotton signed with Dallas, I was super excited because I was like, 'Dang, this may be a chance…
Aaron Whitecotton Played a Role in Solomon Thomas Signing With Dallas
"Coach Whitecotton is a coach I want to play for. I've played my best football under him. He instills confidence in me. He brings the best out of me, Thomas added. He's a guy who lets his players play the way they need to play to play their best football. It's what I wanted. By the grace of God, it worked out and I'm just super happy to be here."
Thomas spent the last three years with the New York Jets. Over 50 games for New York, Thomas finished with 83 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 16 QB hits, and nine sacks. The Stanford product played at least 33% of the defensive snaps in all three campaigns with the Jets and will likely take on a similar role for the Cowboys.
While Thomas loves playing under Whitecotton, he wasn't the most effective player. According to PFF, Thomas failed to post over 50 overall grade and run-defense grade.
The veteran defender looks to turn that around with the Cowboys, as he'll be playing with Whitecotton for the fourth straight season. It doesn't hurt to be back in Texas, where he played his high school ball at Coppell High School.