The Dallas Cowboys have beefed up their secondary in free agency, signing veteran free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Since entering the NFL as a first-round pick out of Alabama, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been one of the league’s better starting safeties. Ever since the Green Bay Packers traded him to Washington, though, Clinton-Dix hasn’t found stability, as he also only spent one season as Adrian Amos’ replacement in Chicago last year.
However, Clinton-Dix has landed on his feet with another quality team in 2020, signing a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. The NFC East powerhouse needed to add to their secondary after cornerback Byron Jones left for the Miami Dolphins on a massive contract, and Clinton-Dix should be an immediate upgrade at the back end of the defense.
Plus, Clinton-Dix will reunite with the head coach who drafted him in the first round, Mike McCarthy. The 27-year-old had the best season of his career in Green Bay as a third-year pro, picking off five passes with 80 total tackles.
Contract Details
According to the NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Clinton-Dix has signed a one-year, “prove-it” deal worth only $4 million. Per Slater, $2.5 million of his contract will be fully guaranteed.
National Reaction
The national reaction, as expected, is overwhelmingly positive. Dallas has signed a solid starting safety for a meager price with absolutely zero risk beyond 2020. If worst comes to worst and they have to cut him for whatever reason, a cap hit of $2.5 million is nothing they couldn’t swallow.
Clinton-Dix is a considerable upgrade over Jeff Heath, and a motivated Clinton-Dix won’t have the same issues with tackling which plagued him in his final season with the Packers. He’s hungry to show he’s in the prime of his career and a great safety.
Xavier Woods and Clinton-Dix should form a strong partnership at the position in Dallas, giving the team safe coverage with playmaking upside in the secondary. They will help the cornerbacks take another stride as they develop, and they may even give them more room to gamble for plays on the ball.
Consider this a cheap, significant upgrade on a player who could finally piece it all together and go from “good” to “great”. In Amari Cooper and others, the Cowboys have shown they can get the most out of talented players.