The Dallas Cowboys are releasing wide receiver Allen Hurns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The cut comes after the team and player couldn't work out a scenario to shave money off of his $5 million contract. As he told NFL Network, the talks about cutting money off the deal began on Monday:
Just wished they did this earlier. They asked me for a pay cut Monday… couple of days before camp.
Though the transaction isn't yet official, Hurns is, by all intents and purposes, a free agent. A talented 6-foot-3, 201-pound receiver with route-running prowess, Hurns will be a coveted asset on the market. He recorded a 1,000+ yard season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. However, there is a caveat; he faced a gruesome leg break against the Seattle Seahawks in last year's playoffs.
Nonetheless, Hurns is a 27-year-old with prior experience in the league and a game capable of starting. He should have plenty of suitors in a free agency market devoid of stable options at the position. Here are three competitive teams that may reel him in.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Hurns played in Jacksonville for the first four years of his career and found some success doing so. Though released by the Jaguars last March, a reunion makes sense for both sides. With Nick Foles on board, Jacksonville is expected to pass the ball more, but his receiving corps could use a boost of veteran talent.
Foles will pass to a group of Marqise Lee, Keelan Cole, DeDe Westbrook, Chris Conley, D.J. Chark, and Terrelle Pryor. It's a solid room of receivers, but none project as a true No. 1 option. Though Hurns wouldn't change that, he'd solidify the depth and wouldn't have to be rushed into playing immediately considering his prior leg injury.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
With Tyreek Hill back, Sammy Watkins expecting a more prominent role, and Mecole Hardman adding that much more speed, the Kansas City Chiefs' receiver room isn't in trouble. But, they could use some more depth on the backend of the roster. Considering they are one of the more pass-happy teams in the NFL, that statement holds.
As indicated by last year's late-season signing of Kelvin Benjamin, the Chiefs aren't opposed to bringing in extra weapons to their potent offense. Hurns is just that, and he could theoretically thrive playing underneath or in the slot while Hill, Watkins, or Hardman stretch the field.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have been frantic about putting together a supporting cast of wide receivers for Tom Brady to negate the loss of Rob Gronkowski. Phillip Dorsett and Julian Edelman are still around, and new additions are prevalent. Demaryius Thomas, Dontrelle Inman, and Maurice Harris come via free agency, and N'Keal Harry in the first round of the draft.
With six talented receivers on the roster, the Patriots appear to be set. But, based on their history of tinkering and adding during the preseason, they may not be done. Hurns would be yet another solid addition to a rebuilt receiving corps, and playing under Belichick and Brady would be his best opportunity to win. With substantial depth on the roster, like all these teams, he wouldn't be rushed into returning.
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