After one of the most unorthodox seasons for an individual LA Chargers player in recent memory, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. remains unsigned as the 2025 season creeps closer and closer to its halfway point.
The perfect opportunity for the 2021 second-round pick may have just presented itself via America's team, the Dallas Cowboys.
To say the Cowboys' defense has struggled under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus would be an understatement. To make matters worse, an already struggling secondary has to shoulder a Trevon Diggs injury. Diggs will miss Week 7 after an accident at home reportedly resulted in concussion-like symptoms. His timetable to return is unclear.
Whether he misses one week or several weeks, the fact remains the Cowboys need help. This is where Samuel could come in and rewrite his own narrative after a distasteful ending to his Chargers tenure.
Cowboys now look like the perfect landing spot for former Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel was shockingly put on IR early in the season on a Saturday before a game last year. Jim Harbaugh told reporters at the time it was due to an injury suffered away from the team, but would not allude to the nature of the injury.
Harbaugh's updates throughout the season were sparse of any actual information, creating a "will he, won't he" situation around Samuel's return. The talented cornerback ultimately did not return to the team, and told reporters after the season he was dealing with the effects of a stinger he suffered.
Samuel ended up having neck surgery in April, which was later confirmed to be spinal fusion surgery. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provided an update in August stating Samuel was set to undergo a CT scan in October to ensure successful spinal fusion. If Samuel receives good news, he hopes to play in the second half of the season.
It has not been reported yet whether or not Samuel has had the CT scan and if he received good or bad news. If everything came back clean, and it is safe for him to return to NFL action (which is the most important factor here), the Cowboys might make the most sense.
Dallas has allowed the second-most points per game this season at 30.7. This is fueled by a league-worst 269.5 passing yards allowed per game this season. It's clear the Cowboys need secondary help, even once Diggs returns.
Samuel is still only 26 years old and has the makings to be an above-average cornerback in the NFL. It was not that long ago that Chargers fans were lauding him as a true CB1. Sure, he has had tackling concerns throughout his career, but his upside as a coverage corner has always been high.
This could be a good opportunity for the Cowboys to address the secondary with a player who is far more talented than the free agents who are typically available in October. Additionally, it could be a great long-term play for Samuel. If he comes back and helps stop the bleeding in Dallas, his value will only shoot up for contract negotiations in 2026.