Rolando McClain: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent LB

Things could not have gone better for Rolando McClain in his return to the NFL. The former first-round pick had a breakout season with the Dallas Cowboys, who won 12 games and made the playoffs. Now, the star linebacker has reportedly re-signed with Dallas.

Continue for updates.

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McClain Reportedly Signs With Cowboys

Wednesday, April 1

ESPN's Ed Werder reported that McClain signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys worth $3 million in base salary and another $1 million in incentives and bonuses.  

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McClain Visits Patriots, Still Negotiating With Cowboys

Monday, March 30

ESPN's Field Yates and Todd Archer reported that McClain would be visiting the New England Patriots. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed afterward that the visit "ended without a contract" but that it was "positive." He highlighted that the Cowboys are "still very much in the mix" as well.

ESPN's Ed Werder noted earlier on Monday that the Cowboys "have actively negotiated with MLB Rolando McClain. Maybe Patriots visit creates urgency or alternative for player."

Mike Fisher of Fox Sports reported on March 9 that the Cowboys have "touched base" with McClain and "very much want him back."

McClain, 25, could be facing a four-game suspension in 2015 for a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.   

McClain entered the 2014 season with no expectations after sitting out the previous year when he decided to retire. He looked like a bust after being drafted eighth overall by Oakland in 2010, and he was released after three seasons with the team before signing with Baltimore. He didn't play a snap for the Ravens. 

However, as one of McClain's friends told Lars Anderson in a special report for B/R, part of his problem in Oakland stemmed from a serious bout of homesickness: "The Raiders were a losing organization, and it was a long way from home for Rolando. The losing drove him crazy. It was the opposite of Alabama. Guys on the team didn't care, and it just soured Rolando on football. It got to the point where he just couldn't take it anymore. He wasn't happy. Not at all."

Dallas traded for McClain's rights from Baltimore last July after losing linebacker Sean Lee to a torn ACL.

Team owner Jerry Jones raved about McClain early in the season following an impressive performance against the Tennessee Titans, per Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com: "He just wants to come in and be a part of the team, but I'm going to tell you something: He's a natural-born football player. He's mean. He's interested in a good way on the football field, and he's really making a difference out there on our defense."

The one concern teams might have about McClain is his health. He has never played in all 16 games in four seasons and was taken out of the divisional-round game against Green Bay with concussion-like symptoms. That could limit his value, but the good clearly outweighed the bad in 2014.   

McClain helped upgrade a Dallas defense that ranked among the league's worst in 2013. He's going to be a coveted player if the Cowboys are unable to retain him, especially considering he's just 25 years old and he showed a lot of the skills that made him a top-10 pick five years ago.