Cowboys LS Jake McQuaide signs with Detroit

Matt Overton, who replaced the injured McQuaide for most of ’22, is also a free agent; Dallas could be shopping for a new long snapper. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys have lost the most specialized player on the field to free agency, as long snapper Jake McQuaide agreed to sign with the Detroit Lions on Monday.

McQuaide, 35, joined his former special teams coordinator John Fassel in Dallas in 2021 after their previous decade together with the Rams. McQauide was brought in to replace the eternal L.P. Ladouceur and proved to be just as rock-steady for the Cowboys until last season.

The two-time Pro Bowler continued an impressive 11-year streak of consecutive starts until a torn triceps suffered at the end of a Week 4 win cost him the rest of his 2022 season.

Dallas had reportedly hoped to bring McQuaide back in 2023, but Detroit has instead secured the veteran’s services with a one-year contract said to be worth $1.3 million.

The Cowboys signed Matt Overton to replace McQuaide last October, but he is also a free agent this offseason.

Some had already been speculating about the Cowboys making a move for Trent Sieg, who was released over the weekend by Las Vegas. The 27-year-old had signed a three-year contract extension with the Raiders in spring of 2021.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=video id=01gvkycae25ywa70earn playlist_id=01eqbwens7sctqdrqg player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gvkycae25ywa70earn/01gvkycae25ywa70earn-05b241af425040f3d37c08a0d72c8989.jpg]