The Dallas Cowboys made a significant move on Tuesday, securing a one-year deal with veteran running back Royce Freeman, as reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer. This marks the team’s second signing of an outside free agent this offseason, following linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ relatively quiet offseason has drawn criticism from former NFL player Marcus Spears, attributing it to the team’s limited salary space of just over $7 million.
The 28-year-old running back’s addition to the Cowboys’ running back room comes as a welcome development for fans, especially after the departure of Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. With Freeman now in the mix alongside Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn, the team hopes to bolster its backfield depth.
While the star running back brings experience to the table, he is not expected to fully replace Pollard, who achieved back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with vocal support from Micah Parsons. Nevertheless, Freeman’s presence should provide solid support and versatility to the Cowboys’ running game, given his proven performance with the previous four NFL teams he played with.
Royce Freeman’s NFL career in a nutshell
Royce Freeman’s NFL journey began when the Denver Broncos selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft from the University of Oregon, as per Yahoo Sports.
During his rookie season, Freeman showcased his potential by rushing for 521 yards and scoring five touchdowns on 130 carries, marking his most productive year to date. In his second season, he continued to contribute, amassing a career-high 752 yards from scrimmage on 175 touches.
After spending three seasons with the Broncos, Freeman had brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans before landing with the Los Angeles Rams last offseason.
In Los Angeles, he served as a backup to Kyren Williams. Despite limited opportunities, the former Broncos player made the most of his playing time, accumulating 319 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Over the past four seasons, Freeman has amassed 775 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 209 carries, along with 29 receptions for 204 yards. While his statistics may not always steal the spotlight, his versatility and experience make him a valuable asset for the Cowboys.
