IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys will host Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy on Tuesday afternoon, one day after reports surfaced about their interest in the free agent pass rusher.
The visit comes as some of the first major news of the Cowboys' free agency period. Dallas has made several minor signings in the week since free agency opened, but they have also lost big-name contributors like DeMarco Murray, Bruce Carter and Justin Durant.
Hardy would be a big-name addition at a sore position of need for the Cowboys — though he would also come with a bit of baggage. Hardy was convicted of assaulting a female and communicating threats last summer after an altercation with his partner, Nicole Holder.
The Panthers used their franchise tag on Hardy last season, guaranteeing him a salary of roughly $13 million — but he only saw the field for one week. Carolina put their Pro Bowler on the commissioner's exempt list during Week 2 of the 2014 season — effectively ending his season, but not his paychecks.
The assault charges against Hardy were dropped last month when Holder failed to testify against him in court, but that's no guarantee to curtail disciplinary action from the NFL. It's widely suspected Hardy could be suspended as many as six games for that infraction, which goes a long way to explaining why a player with 17 sacks in his last 32 games hasn't inked a deal already this free agency.
Hardy would fill an immediate need for the Cowboys at defensive end. Dallas totaled a measly 28 sacks last season, fifth-worst in the league, and team sack leader Jeremy Mincey managed just six sacks on the season.
It remains to be seen if the Cowboys and Hardy can agree to a deal — let alone while he's in the building. Hardy is also reportedly expected to visit Seattle and Tampa Bay. Given the cap limitations, it would have to be for the right price for the Cowboys to land him. But given the off-field issues surrounding the pass rusher these past nine months, that price may be attainable.
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