After it seemed the Dallas Cowboys would be able to retain Randy Gregory, the pass rusher’s market dictated otherwise, as he intends to sign a new contract with the Denver Broncos in free agency. After one of the biggest roller coaster beginnings to a career in NFL history, the bendy defensive end finally cashes in.
Randy Gregory signs with Denver Broncos
Gregory agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, according to Mike Garofolo. The pass rusher has outstanding potential, which is funny to think about from a 29-year-old. However, Gregory has missed more NFL games (54) than he’s played in (50).
The talented pass rusher from Nebraska failed his drug test at the NFL Combine, and things spiraled from there. Gregory’s story has so many dramatic twists and turns. But the most incredible part of it is that he persevered for so long. He never gave up on the league that didn’t want him.
The third-ranked EDGE in free agency is now off the market.
Recapping 2021
Gregory only played 436 snaps in 2021 due to injury, but he was very productive on the field. In fact, on non-play-action dropbacks, only 15 players won at a higher rate than Gregory. In 147 pass rushes, he produced 33 pressures and 5 of his 6 sacks in those situations.
But more importantly, he added mass to his frame during the offseason without losing that patented flexibility as a pass rusher. That mass allowed him to hold his ground far better as an edge setter against the run. He’s a legitimate three-down defensive end.
Gregory pulls a Houdini on the Cowboys
This may be my first rodeo in free agency, but I can’t remember a team’s social media account tweeting out that a deal was done when, in fact, it was not. After reports circulated that the Cowboys secured Gregory on the same deal, the Broncos were the eventual winner of the sweepstakes for the pass rusher.
The signing’s impact on the defense
The Cowboys need to find some serviceable linebackers to truly unlock the versatility of Micah Parsons. Losing Gregory means Parsons will be forced to the edge more often to complement DeMarcus Lawrence.
Some may say that’s a good thing, but part of Parsons’ value is his versatility. He’s one of the few defenders in the league that opposing teams need to game plan around. Not knowing what his major assignment will be week to week is a terrifying proposition for opposing offensive coordinators.
