Photo Courtesy: Michael Kolch
Rolando McClain has agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million to remain with the Dallas Cowboys. McClain finished the 2014 season with 81 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions in 13 games. McClain, 25, was drafted eighth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, but didn’t exceed expectations, and was cut by the Raiders in 2013. After being cut by the Oakland Raiders, McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens, but never played, and decided to retire at the age of 23 to focus on his personal life.
Rolando McClain was picked up by the Cowboys after they had lost Sean Lee to a torn anterior crucial ligament. Critics didn’t like this move due to McClain’s character because of numerous off-the-field incidents. However, McClain progressed and proved critics wrong as he played a big role in the Cowboys defense, putting up great numbers, and having a role as a leader. McClain did battle numerous injuries in 2014, and left both playoff games with concussion issues, but last season was by far the best for McClain because he refused to back down.
McClain was strongly considered to win the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, but ended up finishing in second place in the balloting, losing to Patriots Tight End, Rob Gronkowski.
McClain visited the New England Patriots earlier this week and was offered a contract, but he turned it down and decided to stay in Dallas.
With McClain staying with the Dallas Cowboys and Sean Lee returning from his injury, and the addition of two other linebackers who were signed by the Cowboys, the Cowboys defense seems to be making good progress at fixing issues with the linebacker position. Now that McClain isn’t going anywhere, and will very likely stay at the middle linebacker position, Sean Lee may shift to the weak-side position. The combination of Rolando McClain, Sean Lee poses a threat to opposing offenses who will go against these players. Especially to opposing running backs.
However, McClain is facing a possible four-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but no suspension has been confirmed yet by the league.
