Cowboys Rumors: Rolando McClain Released After Reinstatement by NFL

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly released linebacker Rolando McClain, making him a free agent who can sign with any team, according to Pro Football Talk.

The 2010 first-round pick was conditionally reinstated by the league last week after serving an indefinite suspension since 2016 due to failed drug tests. McClain last played a regular-season game in 2015.

The Cowboys still had his rights from his last contract and spent the weekend considering whether he had a future with the team.

"I had no idea that was a work in progress, but we'll certainly look at that as we would anything," team vice president Stephen Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "We'll do our due diligence and make a decision."

It appears the squad didn't see any value in keeping him on the roster, which makes sense considering the depth at linebacker with Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch.

Still, McClain could have a market if he can stay clean and avoid further suspensions. He vowed to turn his career around after a disappointing run in the NFL.

"I'm nowhere near satisfied with how my professional career has gone," McClain told Matt Zenitz of AL.com. "That's for myself. That's me looking in the mirror and talking to my boys. Nah, that's not the taste I want to leave in my mouth."

The 30-year-old has been an impactful player on the field during his career, starting 61 of 65 games he played with at least 80 tackles in four of five seasons. In 2011 with the Oakland Raiders, he finished with 100 tackles and five sacks.

His upside could make McClain a quality target for a team needing help at the position.