Kony Ealy, Cowboys Reportedly Agree to Contract

Defensive end Kony Ealy is on the move again after agreeing to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Ealy's agreement with the Cowboys. 

A second-round pick in 2014, Ealy played his first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He set a career high with five sacks in his second season as the Panthers went 15-1 and made a run to the Super Bowl.

Ealy was traded to the New England Patriots in March 2017 after a second five-sack season but was waived that August. The New York Jets claimed him, and he appeared in 15 games last season, recording one sack.

Late in the season, Ealy noted his camp had opened discussions with the Jets about a possible extension.

"Our people have had conversations, potential whatever," Ealy told Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media. "But at the end of the day, everything will settle itself. It's not a really a top worry of mine."

With the Jets coming off a 5-11 season and in search of playmakers to build around on both sides of the ball, Ealy was able to walk into the Cowboys' arms.

Even though Ealy has yet to play up to his potential as a second-round draft pick, he's carved out a niche as a pass-rusher off the bench.

He had a total of 14 sacks in his first three seasons with the Panthers, so expect to see the Cowboys use him in specialty packages that leave him with ample opportunities to attack the opposing quarterback.

DeMarcus Lawrence is Dallas' best pass-rusher, posting a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2017. The rest of the team combined for 23.5 sacks, so Ealy's ability to get after the quarterback will help fill a significant need for a defense that has to contend with the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles offense in the NFC East.