On Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted at a new addition to the team’s defensive line. Despite already bringing in Carl Lawson and Jordan Phillips, the Cowboys made another significant move on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with free-agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph, as reported by Josina Anderson.
This signing reunites Joseph with Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who previously coached the seasoned tackle during their time together in Minnesota, told Sport DFW.
At 35 years old, Joseph brings a wealth of experience to the Cowboys’ defense. Last season, he played seven games for the Buffalo Bills, marking his 14th year in the NFL, told Bleacher Report. The Cowboys are now the seventh team of Joseph’s illustrious career.
Joseph began his NFL journey as a second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2010. Over his four seasons in New York, Joseph established himself as a reliable presence on the defensive line. He then spent six years with the Minnesota Vikings, where he first worked under Zimmer, before moving on to stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and most recently, the Buffalo Bills.
Throughout his career, Joseph has been a durable and productive player, appearing in 186 games and starting in 170 of them. His career stats include 676 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 77 quarterback hits, and eight forced fumbles, underscoring his ability to disrupt offenses and make key plays.
The addition of Joseph further bolsters a Cowboys defensive line that has already seen new faces this offseason. His familiarity with Zimmer’s defensive schemes is expected to be a significant asset as the Cowboys aim to strengthen their defense for the upcoming season.
With Joseph’s signing, the Cowboys continue to build a formidable defense, adding depth and experience to a unit that will be crucial in their pursuit of success this season.