Tag: Darian Thompson

Witten, Heath, Maliek Collins join Raiders as Cowboys defections mount

The Raiders have signed three former Cowboys, including Jason Witten.

The chaos of NFL free agency is in full swing even in Dallas as the Jason Garrett era is officially over. Players who have been staples of the last decade plus are moving on from the organization and are finding homes with familiar friends.

The newly-minted Las Vegas Raiders signed a trio of former Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, including tight-end Jason Witten. DE Maliek Collins and safety Jeff Heath will join him, and reunite with former DC Rod Marinelli on Jon Gruden’s staff.

Witten agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million.

The writing had been on the wall in recent weeks. The Cowboys never seemed too interested in re-signing Witten to another contract, and already committed to his replacement, Blake Jarwin to a 4-year extension earlier this week.

Still, losing Witten will take some time getting used to for the Cowboys faithful.

The details of the deal are not yet full disclosed on Collins’ deal. Collins was productive all four of his years in Dallas and so it makes sense that Marinelli, the new Raiders defensive line coach, would want to bring in his former pupil.

Heath joined Las Vegas for a reported two-year deal worth up to $4M annually.

 

For those counting at home, that’s now four starters from last year’s Cowboys defense that will be in different locations: Byron Jones (MIA), Robert Quinn (CHI), Maliek Collins (LVR), and Jeff Heath (LVR).

For what it’s worth, the Cowboys have started to refill the holes left on their defense. The team re-signed safety Darian Thompson to a two-year deal, according to the busy Todd Archer. Thompson, just 26 years old, started in four games last season and is necessary depth for the recently depleted Dallas secondary.

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