Trending Now - NFL Teams Boost Defense With Key Player Acquisitions
WHO:
Christian Parker, defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys
Erik Burkhardt, agent for Jamel Dean
Nakobe Dean, linebacker, former Philadelphia Eagles player
Quay Walker, linebacker, former Green Bay Packers player
Mike McCartney, agent for Nakobe Dean
Jane Slater, reporter
Brian Gutekunst, General Manager of the Green Bay Packers
Las Vegas Raiders, NFL team
WHAT:
The Cowboys made a competitive offer to Nakobe Dean, which was similar to the Raiders' offer, but Dean ultimately chose the Raiders.
Jamel Dean signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $36.75 million.
Nakobe Dean signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders worth $36 million, with $20 million guaranteed.
Quay Walker signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders worth $40.5 million, with $28 million guaranteed.
Dean was ranked No. 87 in The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents and eighth among linebackers.
Walker was ranked No. 57 in The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents and fifth among linebackers.
Dean recorded 55 tackles, four sacks, and seven tackles for losses in 10 games during the 2025 season.
Dean had a 35.7 percent pressure rate on 28 pass-rushing snaps.
Walker led the Packers with 128 tackles in the previous season.
WHERE:
Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the Las Vegas Raiders
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Nakobe Dean played for the Eagles
Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Quay Walker played for the Packers
University of Georgia, where both players were teammates
WHEN:
The Cowboys attempted to recruit Nakobe Dean during the NFL’s legal tampering window, which began on March 6th, 2026.
The deals were agreed upon on Monday, March 9th, 2026.
Dean was a key starter on the Eagles’ Super Bowl defense in 2024.
Dean returned from injury in Week 6 of the 2025 season.
Dean was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
WHY:
The Cowboys aimed to lure Nakobe Dean to their team due to his previous connection with Christian Parker.
The Raiders aimed to address the middle of their defense by signing Dean and Walker.
The Packers did not exercise Walker's fifth-year option, complicating their efforts to retain him.
HOW:
Dean was one of five players the Cowboys had virtual meetings with during the recruitment process.
The Raiders were aggressive in rebuilding their roster during the NFL’s legal tampering window.
Dean and Walker were both signed to bolster the Raiders' transition to a 3-4 defensive alignment.
(UPDATED March 10, 2026 13:20 UTC)
Today, the Dallas Cowboys made a competitive offer to linebacker Nakobe Dean during the NFL's legal tampering window, which started on March 6, but he ultimately decided to join the Raiders instead. Meanwhile, cornerback Jamel Dean has signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $36.75 million. The Cowboys had hoped to attract Nakobe Dean, given his previous connection with their defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, and had virtual meetings with him as part of their recruitment efforts.
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(UPDATED March 10, 2026 11:13 UTC)
In a significant move for their defense, the Las Vegas Raiders have signed linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to three-year deals worth $36 million and $40.5 million, respectively, with substantial guarantees of $20 million and $28 million. Both players, who were teammates at the University of Georgia, bring impressive stats to the Raiders, with Dean recording 55 tackles and four sacks last season and Walker leading the Packers with 128 tackles. The agreements were finalized on Monday, March 9, as the Raiders look to strengthen their roster during the NFL's legal tampering window.