FRISCO, Texas – One of the Cowboys' most valuable pieces of depth is coming back for another go around.
Thursday morning, Joe Looney signed a one-year deal with the team, securing a veteran offensive lineman who has proven critical on the field and in the locker room.
This will be Looney's third free agent contract with the Cowboys. He was originally drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, though he was eventually released and spent the 2015 season with Tennessee.
From there, he signed a two-year deal in Dallas in 2016 – and has clearly found a home, as he has yet to leave.
Looney has been a versatile and valuable backup for the Cowboys for several years, appearing in 64 games as a guard, a center and occasionally a "Jumbo" package tight end.
But the 2018 season saw him go above and beyond the call of a backup. When Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in August of that year, Looney stepped in and started all 16 games. It might not have been up to Frederick's typical All-Pro level of play, but it was enough to help the Cowboys into the playoffs with a 10-6 record.
Looney's first two deals with the Cowboys were of the two-year variety, while this one is just for the 2020 season. It's a good bet he'll continue as Frederick's primary backup, as well as an option at either guard spot – not to mention one of the more engaging personality's in the locker room.
