Cowboys Sign Pro Bowl Defender To Reunite With Mike Zimmer

The Dallas Cowboys made a couple of notable additions on the defensive line last week as they signed free-agent defensive end Carl Lawson and acquired veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips in a trade from the New York Giants.

The Cowboys have emphasized their defensive line depth after losing Sam Williams at the start of training camp to a season-ending knee injury. Lawson and Phillips should help immediately, but the Cowboys aren’t done addressing their defense.

According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Cowboys are reportedly finalizing a deal with free-agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph. The veteran defensive lineman will get $2.5 million guaranteed and can make up to $4 million this season.

The 35-year-old Joseph is reuniting with Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who coached the veteran defender for six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Under Zimmer, Joseph was named to the Pro Bowl twice and had 51 quarterback hits, 32 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks.

The veteran defensive lineman last played for the Buffalo Bills in 2023. Joseph latched on to the Bills in early November. The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle recorded 12 total tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit in seven games.

Even though he only appeared in seven games with the Bills last season, Joseph still played 35 percent of defensive snaps.

Dallas is very familiar with Joseph as he spent part of the 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Eagles, the veteran defensive tackle had 20 total tackles, a quarterback hit, and a half sack in eight starts.

The Cowboys likely won’t be asking Joseph to start this season as they already have Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa in the middle of the defensive line. However, Joseph and Phillips are the perfect rotational defensive linemen to help the Cowboys stop the run this season.

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