Dallas Cowboys: Keeping Rolando McClain important move

For the Dallas Cowboys, keeping their top middle linebacker was key to having a good start to what can be a successful offseason. They can now breath a little easier knowing Rolando McClain will be on the roster next season.

The Dallas Cowboys have made one of their smartest and most important moves this offseason, no matter what happens the rest of the way, by re-signing inside linebacker Rolando McClain to a contract next season.

According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, McClain’s one-year deal is worth $5 million.

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As Connor Orr of NFL.com said about the signing, “The deal is a no-brainer for the Cowboys.”

Orr wrote in his Around the NFL article for the site:

"“McClain’s bullish style keeps a versatile playmaker in the Cowboys’ front seven and frees up star linebacker Sean Lee to make more plays on the outside. At the moment, he may be one of the best values in football assuming he can stay on the field.”"

McClain played in just 11 games last season, missing the first four games due to a suspension by the NFL, and he also missed Week 15 against the New York Jets with an injury. But in the 11 games he did play – all starts – he totaled 80 tackles (50 solo), two sacks and one interception in what was his second season with the Cowboys and fifth in the NFL.

He also scored a touchdown on the aforementioned interception, coming in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, as he raced 12 yards to the end zone. In four games this past season, McClain totaled 10 or more tackles, with those coming from late November through the regular-season finale. Twice in ’15, he had games of 12 tackles.

McClain made his Cowboys debut in ’14 following some off-the-field issues when playing for the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. In that first season with Dallas, McClain totaled 81 tackles (65 solo) with one sack and two interceptions.

For his play last year, Pro Football Focus graded McClain at 71.1 overall, ranking him as the 28th-best linebacker in the league. He scored high on his coverage skills, at 83.3, and his pass rush at 75.6. He played in 546 snaps last season.

Since joining the Cowboys, McClain seems to have found a place where he’s comfortable playing, and with the ’16 season being another “contract year” for the 26-year-old linebacker, there is no reason to not expect a very tough and physical season from the former first-round selection again.

What I like about McClain, besides his numbers, is just his overall presence on the field makes the rest of the front seven that much improved. Teams need to focus on McClain, and if that is the case, whether it be DeMarcus Lawrence or Randy Gregory at defensive end, or Sean Lee or Anthony Hitchens at linebacker, one of those players won’t get the best coverage against team, allowing the defense to make more of an impact.

Again, that aspect alone makes this a smart and contract friendly decision for the Cowboys, and one that should pay off with top dividends during the ’16 season.

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If the Cowboys can shore up their defensive line to a point where they provide the proper protection for the linebacker in the 4-3 defense, there is no doubt McClain can gain a 100-tackle season. Add that and the fact he needs to stay on the field for all 16 games, something he’s never done since joining the NFL.

If the stars can align for ’16, McClain can really show what he’s capable of in this league, and if that is the case, this re-signing isn’t only a smart move by the Cowboys, but it is a steal as well.