Greg Hardy: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent DE

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy jots out onto the field with the team for an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/Associated Press

Defensive end Greg Hardy is receiving some interest on the free-agent market this offseason after a shortened season with the Dallas Cowboys.

Continue for updates.

GMs Discuss Hardy

Friday, May 13

ESPN's Ed Werder passed along several NFL general managers' thoughts on Hardy:

Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA
Solicited #NFL GMs on Greg Hardy. Most praised @RosenhausSports for his efforts. But prevailing opinion: "Greg Hardy? Nobody wants him.''

Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA
Another GM on Hardy said ownership would be involved. "Maybe...Many will probably steer clear to err on the safe side."

Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA
Third GM on Greg Hardy: "Going to be a very hard sell moving forward. There's too much of an allusion towards cleaning up for sake of sale."

Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA
Fourth GM on Rosenhaus making therapy records avail and Hardy: "He's still toxic. And obviously desperate and saying the right things.''

Hardy Reportedly Informing Teams of Counseling

Thursday, May 12

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported, citing a "source with knowledge of the situation," Drew Rosenhaus, Hardy's agent, "has sent to all teams detailed information regarding the activities in which Hardy has been engaged in order to identify and cure any and all disorders that may have contributed to past misbehavior, on and/or off the field."

Jones Comments on Timeline of Hardy Decision

Wednesday, May 4

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys knew Hardy would not return to Dallas at the end of the 2015 season, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

Jones Comments on Hardy's Free Agency

Saturday, April 30

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters Hardy will not return to the Cowboys, saying the team has "closed that door," per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

When asked on March 22 about potentially bringing Hardy back next season, Jones told reporters, "We are still leaving that open."

Smith's Deal Reportedly 'Upset' Hardy

Wednesday, April 6

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report passed along what he was hearing regarding Hardy's reaction to Aldon Smith's deal with the Oakland Raiders:

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Rosenhaus Comments on Hardy's Free Agency

Monday, March 21

Rosenhaus told Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram that "there is interest and a market" for the defensive end.

Multiple Teams Considering Hardy

Wednesday, March 16

Cole reported several teams are interested in signing Hardy to a two-year deal with incentives:

Odell Beckham Jr.'s Trade to Cleveland Has the Browns Hyped
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Adam Thielen's Wild Ride from Obscure Underdog to Record-Breaking Vikings WR
49ers' Kyle Shanahan and His Son Carter Are Hyped for Lil Wayne's Album to Drop
The Cleveland Browns Are Winning Off the Field Too with Their Community Service
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Scandrick Comments on Hardy

Thursday, Feb. 25

"Of course," Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick told Josina Anderson of ESPN when asked if he would like to play with Hardy next season before elaborating on his expectations of the defensive end in 2016:

I wish I would’ve played with him. Dude is a great player. He missed a whole year and came back after missing, what was it four games? I don’t know if he didn’t have a chance to get back into shape, but I can promise you he will be better next year with a full offseason and more training camp and everything, and no suspension like last year.

Garrett Comments on Hardy's Status

Wednesday, Feb. 24

"[Hardy] is a free agent," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett told reporters when asked about the DE's status.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported in January that Dallas had grown tired of Hardy and that the 2013 Pro Bowler had partied during the year, which affected his performance:

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MVP Front-Runner Patrick Mahomes Loves Ketchup as Much as Torching Defenses
Chicago Bears Hoping to Ride Club Dub All the Way to the Super Bowl
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JuJu Smith-Schuster Is a Man of the People
Buffalo Bills Superfan "Pancho Billa" Continues to Inspire Squad
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Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes Is 'Showtime' on More Than Just the Football Field
Adam Thielen's Wild Ride from Obscure Underdog to Record-Breaking Vikings WR
49ers' Kyle Shanahan and His Son Carter Are Hyped for Lil Wayne's Album to Drop
The Cleveland Browns Are Winning Off the Field Too with Their Community Service
Steelers RB James Conner's Journey from Beating Cancer to Starting in the NFL
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B/R Fantasy Expert Matt Camp Gives His Picks for Keep or Release After Week 2
Does Hines Ward Deserve Your 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Vote?
Rookie Linebacker with One Hand Shaquem Griffin Starting for Seahawks in Week 1

Hardy Will Come With Controversy for Potential Suitors

Hardy missed the first four games due to suspension. In 12 games, he picked up six sacks and made 35 combined tackles. Pro Football Focus graded the 27-year-old the seventh-best edge defender available on the free-agent market.

Jerry Jones went to great lengths to speak positively of Hardy early in the season and defend his various missteps.

"He is aware that everything he does—his personality, his style, his enthusiasm—it's all going to be interpreted negatively," Jones said after meeting with Hardy in November, per ESPN.com's Jean-Jacques Taylor. "If he's not aware of that, then he's hurting a lot of people."I think he really gets that. We certainly feel that way. He understands it, and he has agreed to really work on it."

Any team that is interested in Hardy's services will not only have to consider the issues Cole outlined, it will also have to reconcile with his history of domestic violence. Last November, Deadspin's Diana Moskovitz (Warning: Link contains graphic images and profanity) provided the evidence against Hardy in his assault trial.

Although Hardy's stock has only continued to decline following his breakout 2013 season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see another team take a chance on the talented pass-rusher this spring.