FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys and safety Jayron Kearse have agreed to terms on a two-year, $10 million contract, according to multiple reports. The deal is worth up to $11 million with incentives.
Kearse started in 15 of 16 games played last season for the Cowboys and became a tone setter in Dan Quinn’s defense. He became a versatile piece in the secondary and played an attributing role in the defense’s turnaround from a unit that allowed a franchise-worst 473 points in 2020, to one of the most formidable in 2021 (led league in takeaways, 34). Kearse was stout against the run and in coverage, carrying running backs and tight ends. He became a tight end eraser for the club, containing the league’s elite including Darren Waller and Travis Kelce.
Prior to the start of the 2021 season, Kearse signed a one-year deal with Dallas, worth just over $1 million. He became the usual offseason acquisition for the Cowboys in free agency — a short-term, bargain deal that addresses a need well enough to prohibit a move in the draft but is nonetheless an upgrade. Kearse exceeded expectations and concluded his campaign donning the Star as the defense’s leading tackler (101).
The Minnesota Vikings selected Kearse in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with the Vikings predominately on special teams. Kearse played nickel, free, and strong safety but never found consistency. He was coached by George Edwards in Minnesota and the two reunited in Dallas.
In 2020, Kearse played for the Detroit Lions. He started seven games for the Lions before being released due to violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy. Before being waived, he played at both free and strong safety notching career-highs in tackles (59) and snaps (503) on defense. He was then added to the Ravens’ practice squad.
In his first year with the Cowboys, Kearse served as the defensive playcaller for most of the season. In addition to 101 tackles, he accumulated seven tackles for loss, a sack, 10 quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.
