Defensive end Dorance Armstrong will stay in the NFC East and reunite with Dan Quinn after the free agent reached a deal with the Washington Commanders, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday.
While Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence gained much of the attention on the Dallas Cowboys‘ defensive front the last three seasons, Armstrong, 26, posted 21 sacks in that time span.
Quinn served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator before being hired this offseason as the Commanders’ new head coach.
Armstrong had a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2022, and he added 7.5 last season despite playing 97 fewer snaps than he did in 2022.
Armstrong was a free agent following the 2021 season, but the Cowboys were able to re-sign him to a two-year, $12 million contract after Randy Gregory walked away from a deal to join the Denver Broncos.
Armstrong is solid against the run and was a valuable special teams contributor. In 93 games with the Cowboys, he was credited with 169 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 94 quarterback pressures, 4 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. He also blocked two punts and a field goal.
ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.