DALLAS (105.3 the Fan) - The Miami Dolphins have signed former Cowboys Cornerback Byron Jones to a deal worth upwards of $17 million APY, which would make him the highest-paid corner in NFL history, per a report.
After the designation of the exclusive franchise tag to Dak Prescott, and the extension of tight end Blake Jarwin earlier in the day, the Cowboys were already unlikely to bring back the former Pro Bowl cornerback.
Now, that decision has been made for them, as the Miami Dolphins have gone all-in on their secondary, locking down another all-pro corner to matchup opposite of Xavien Howard.
Jones had a stellar career in Dallas, making the Pro Bowl in 2018, and cementing himself as one of the premier lockdown corners in the NFL.
Though Jones was never known as a corner who forced turnovers, opposing receivers were rarely at their best when facing him in one-on-one coverage.
Jones only missed one game in his Cowboys tenure, starting 73 of a possible 80 regular-season games, while amassing 270 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 43 passes defended, with just two interceptions.
Now that the Cowboys have moved on from Jones, it seems likely that the secondary will be a major focus in the upcoming NFL draft, as the Cowboys will look to add playmakers at both cornerback and safety, after a tough 2019 season.
Jourdan Lewis also figures to earn an increased role in the defense, as he became one of the top Cowboys in forcing turnovers as the 2019 season progressed.
Jones is also not the only impact defender the Cowboys are at risk of losing, however, as Robert Quinn is also fielding increased interest around the league as free agency moves forward.