James Washington started a Thursday afternoon conference call quickly apologizing. Washington missed a chat with reporters a few days earlier because he had something important going on: He needed to unload an order of hay on his 40-acre ranch.
Gone is lead receiver Amari Cooper who was traded to Cleveland. Cedrick Wilson, a key backup receiver/ dependable special teams man, signed a deal with Miami in free agency.
So the Cowboys signed Washington to a one-year deal with the hopes he can fill a void left with Wilson’s departure and the uncertainty surrounding Michael Gallup’s return from offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL.
What the Cowboys are getting in Washington is a Cowboy.
Literally.
Washington, 25, grew up in Stamford, Texas where his father and other relatives were, well cowboys and ranchers. It was that upbringing that pushed Washington to own a ranch between the Texas towns of Merkel and Tye. At Oklahoma State, Washington earned a degree in agriculture business and when he retires, his future as a full-time rancher will take up his time.
“Enjoying ranch life in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
On the field, Washington’s arrival comes at a time where the receiver position in Dallas has major questions going into the 2022 season.
Washington doesn’t fit where Lamb resides as the No. 1. Until Gallup returns, the Cowboys have their No. 2 receiver in Washington.
“I think I can bring a physicality,” Washington said. “Michael Gallup, CeeDee, all those guys showed a lot of physical abilities. Right now, I feel like I can add to it. I feel like my strength is when the ball is in the air I’m going to lay out for it.”
In four seasons with the Steelers, Washington averaged 14.3 yards a catch but last season had career-lows in targets (44), receptions (24) and yards (285).
“I feel like with everything that transpired in Pittsburgh I didn’t really get to show my full self,” he said. “We had a crowded room at receiver but nothing against anyone else, but I just feel like there’s a lot of meat left on the bone. I didn’t get to really fully develop myself and make strides like I wanted to. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity in Dallas and do what I can so they get 110 percent of me and I can reach my full potential.”
The Cowboys need Washington to become the outside receiver with Lamb until Gallup fully recovers. And when Gallup returns, Washington will see time in the slot.
Before Washington moves his family full-time to the Dallas area he’ll continue to feed the cattle and tend the ranch because the expectations will be high for him when he gets to town.
“I want to grow my game to be who I was in college because I feel like who I was in college is who I (was) meant to be,” he said. “I want to be that down the field threat. I want to be that physical guy. I want to get involved in the run game (as a blocker). I want to make it.”
Briefly: The Cowboys are hiring Brian Schottenheimer as a consultant, a source said Thursday. Schottenheimer will work with the offensive and defensive staffs, a role Ben McAdoo held last year.
McAdoo was hired as Carolina’s offensive coordinator this offseason.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy worked with Brian Schottenheimer for the 1998 season in Kansas City. McCarthy has a close relationship with the Schottenheimer family, having worked for Brian’s father, the late Marty Schottenheimer. McCarthy’s first NFL job came when Marty Schottenheimer hired him as a quality control coach in 1993.
Brian Schottenheimer was Jacksonville’s passing game coordinator last season. He’s been an offensive coordinator for Seattle, then-St. Louis Rams and New York Jets.
