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Ex-Raiders Superstar DL Has Agreed to Personal Terms With the Dallas Cowboys

Dallas, TX – September 9, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys are on the verge of finalizing one of the biggest defensive additions of the year. Per league sources, the team has agreed to personal terms with veteran defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, with the deal pending standard medical evaluations.

The timing couldn’t be more critical for Dallas. After acquiring Kenny Clark earlier this offseason to strengthen the middle of their defensive front, the Cowboys still lacked proven depth at the 1-technique. Wilkins, a former Raiders standout and one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders, looks set to fill that void.

At 30 years old, Wilkins brings both proven production and some risk, having been released earlier this summer. Still, his résumé speaks volumes. In 2024 with Miami, he added to a career tally that now includes 40.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss, earning a 72.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. His ability to stop the run while generating interior pass rush makes him a rare two-way presence.

In Dallas, Wilkins is expected to line up alongside Clark, forming a duo that could finally stabilize the Cowboys’ run defense while adding serious pocket pressure. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus would also have the option to deploy heavier fronts in short-yardage and goal-line packages, giving his unit far more versatility.

On paper, the defensive line looks imposing. With Wilkins and Clark anchoring the interior and DeMarcus Lawrence and Sam Williams rushing from the edges, Dallas could field one of the league’s most balanced defensive fronts. That strength up front would, in turn, free linebackers Patrick Queen and Leighton Vander Esch to play more aggressively in space.

The reaction from fans has been immediate. Cowboys Nation has lit up social media, calling Wilkins the “missing piece” to a championship run and noting that his arrival should allow younger players to settle into rotational roles rather than being forced into heavy workloads.

Financially, Dallas is prepared to make a serious commitment. Reports indicate the framework is for a four-year deal worth around $110 million, comparable to Wilkins’ last contract. Thanks to recent cap restructures, the Cowboys have the space to make it happen — provided the medical checks go through without issue.

For Dallas, the signing represents more than just depth. It’s a bold move aimed squarely at transforming the defensive line into a championship-caliber unit — and Cowboys Nation is already dreaming of February football.

Cowboys Reunite with a Former Starter, Bolstering a Battle-Tested Defense for the Stretch Run
Dallas, TX – In a surprising yet strategic move, the Dallas Cowboys have officially signed linebacker Luke Gifford on the afternoon of October 8, 2025, just hours after the San Francisco 49ers decided to cut the veteran. The one-year, $3.5 million deal (with performance bonuses up to $1.5 million) marks an emotional homecoming for Gifford to the franchise that launched his career, while also plugging an urgent hole in Dallas’ linebacker depth after multiple injuries out of Week 5.   Gifford, 29, was a reliable glue piece for the Cowboys from 2019 to 2022—an undrafted gem who carved out his role on special teams and situational defense in the star and stripes. After leaving Dallas, he spent time with the Tennessee Titans (2023) and 49ers (2024–2025), earning a reputation as a smart, assignment-sound linebacker who can play WILL/SAM and contribute immediately on kick coverage and sub-packages.   With San Francisco this year, Gifford appeared in four games before Tuesday night’s roster shuffle left him as the odd man out. Dallas pounced. “Luke knows our standard and our language,” head coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. “He’s tough, dependable, and versatile. Given where our linebacker room is right now, he’s exactly the kind of veteran who can stabilize us fast.”   For the Cowboys—leading the NFC East at 4–1 but juggling availability at linebacker—this is timely triage and culture reinforcement. Defensive coaches value Gifford’s communication and angles in space; special teams coordinator notes he can step in on all four core units immediately. Gifford, moments after signing, posted on X: “Back where it started. Let’s work. #HowBoutThemCowboys #DC4L”   Cowboys Nation erupted online as #GiffordReturns trended across the Metroplex, with many fans framing it as a subtle flex against the 49ers—Dallas’ recent playoff nemesis. NFL Network panels speculated Gifford could suit up as early as this weekend if paperwork clears, logging early snaps on special teams and dime looks while the staff ramps him into the defensive packages.   Beyond the depth chart math, the message is clear: Dallas is moving decisively to protect its defensive identity and keep the NFC East lead. If Gifford brings the same reliability and edge-setting discipline he showed in his first stint, the Cowboys may have found the steadying piece they needed for a stretch run.   Can Luke Gifford’s homecoming spark a sturdier second level and help Dallas tighten the screws in crunch time? We’ll know soon enough. #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #HowBoutThemCowboys