The Dallas Cowboys have released veteran Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as the team continues to make cuts to hand in their 53-man roster on Saturday. The Cowboys signed the former Geen Bay Packer early in free agency in search of a starting safety to replace Jeff Heath.
Signed in March to a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was released by the Cowboys Thursday, according to multiple sources. Clinton-Dix was guaranteed $2.25 million as part of the deal but his release opens $1.5 million… https://t.co/qfwixzYsQe
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 3, 2020
Clinton-Dix struggled in training camp as him not earning the starting job was one of the main storylines surrounding the Cowboys. Darian Thompson seems to be the favorite to play alongside Xavier Woods, but Donovan Wilson and even Reggie Robinson, who was drafted as a cornerback, got reps ahead of the 2020 regular season.
The Cowboys haven’t had a strong starting duo at safety in a long time, thanks in part to the front office seemingly not considering the position as a very valuable one. In the last few years, the team has passed promising prospects over the first two days of the NFL Draft, particularly in 2019 when Taylor Rapp and other safeties were on the board when they opted for defensive tackle Trysten Hill.
Now, the Cowboys have a delicate situation a week away from the NFL Kickoff.
Earl Thomas is still a free agent after being cut by the Baltimore Ravens. Jane Slater has reported that Clinton-Dix’s release doesn’t mean they’ll pursue Thomas, but at this point, how can we be certain?
All we know is despite Mike McCarthy’s comments on feeling confident about the safety room, the Cowboys have a problem at the position. Although Thompson, Wilson, and Robinson are interesting prospects, clearly no one has won the starting gig. They shouldn’t be confident about the position. Not to mention, the Cowboys have a ton of question marks at cornerback as well.
The regular season is one week away. The Cowboys are Super Bowl contenders, but they don’t have a starting safety playing opposite of Xavier Woods.
