Cowboys Rumors: Jayron Kearse Re-Signs on 2-Year Contract Worth Up to $11M

After impressing in his first season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, veteran safety Jayron Kearse reportedly isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys are re-signing Kearse to a two-year, $10 million contract that can reach as high as $11 million.

After signing with Dallas on a one-year, $1 million deal last March, Kearse started 15 of the 16 games he appeared in last season and helped lead a sharp turnaround from a defense that allowed a franchise-worst 473 points in 2020.

The 28-year-old led the Cowboys with a career-high 101 total tackles while adding 10 passes defended, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a sack. Kearse also was the team's defensive play-caller for the majority of games.

The Cowboys led the league in defensive takeaways (34) and turnover differential (plus-14) in 2021.

Prior to joining Dallas, Kearse spent the first four years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings and split the 2020 season between the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens. He had never started more than seven games or finished with more than 56 tackles in a season, primarily being used as a special teams player.

The Cowboys will have significant changes on both sides of the ball next season. Dallas traded Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper and released stalwart offensive tackle La'el Collins. The team also lost defensive end Randy Gregory in free agency. Retaining Kearse was a key move for Dallas to maintain some continuity.