IRVING, Texas – Free-agent defensive end Greg Hardy spent most of the day at Valley Ranch Tuesday, meeting with various coaches on the staff.
While he left late afternoon without a deal in place, it appears negotiations could start in the evening with the possibility of a deal getting struck as early as Wednesday.
Hardy is scheduled to remain in the Dallas area until Wednesday with a possible revisit in the morning, which could involve a physical if the negotiations get that far.
Now teams such as Tampa Bay and Seattle were also reportedly linked to Hardy as well, although no official visits were lined up as of Tuesday evening. Hardy could be leaving Dallas and flying straight to Seattle if a deal isn't reached with the Cowboys.
Hardy missed all but one game last season, spending most of 2014 on the commissioner's exempt list for a domestic violence charge. Those charges stemmed from a June 2014 incident but were dismissed in court this past February. Still, Hardy could be facing a suspension from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he signs with another team.
Hardy was a second-team All-Pro in 2013, when he had a career-best 15 sacks for the Panthers' dominating defense. Hardy had 11 sacks in 2012 and has 34 quarterback sacks in 63 career games played.
The Cowboys have both Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence set to return as defensive ends next season. Hardy would likely move straight to the right side where he would face the opposing team's left tackles. Lawrence would likely switch to the left side in that scenario with Mincey serving as a roving lineman who can play both sides, along with occasional defensive tackle duties in pass-rushing situations.
Veterans Anthony Spencer and George Selvie remain unsigned although Spencer is reportedly heading to Seattle for a visit.
If the Cowboys can sign Hardy, it would be their seventh free-agent signing since the NFL's free-agent signing period opened on March 10, but the team's first defensive linemen. The club has signed linebackers Jasper Brinkley and Andrew Gachkar, along with cornerback Corey White. The Cowboys have also signed fullbacks Ray Agnew and Jed Collins.
So far, the biggest addition the Cowboys have made was for running back Darren McFadden, who received a two-year deal on Friday to be the initial replacement for DeMarco Murray, one of six unrestricted free agents who have signed with other teams.
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