McClain Picks Cowboys over ‘Comparable’ Offer from the Patriots

Rolando McClain decided to stay in Dallas rather than sign with the Patriots. Getty Images

By Jack Andrade

April 1, 2015

1 minute to read

Free agent linebacker Rolando McClain is going back to the Cowboys, choosing Dallas over a similar financial offer from the Patriots, according to numerous media reports.

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It was interesting to see the Patriots have interest in and make an offer to McClain given his previous off-field issues in the NFL – including comparing his mindset at one point to that of Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots have some depth concerns at linebacker with Jerod Mayo coming off a major knee injury and possibly needing to restructure his contract as new deals for Dont’a Hightower (coming off shoulder surgery) and Jamie Collins loom on the horizon.

Perhaps McClain liked the stability of staying in Dallas, or the Cowboys offered to match the Patriots offer to keep him. Either way, the reports indicate the Patriots were serious about signing him.

With McClain off the market, the free agent crop of linebackers is all but depleted. Old friends Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher remain unsigned, but the Patriots may decide to wait for the draft (April 30-May 2) or beyond to address the linebacker situation.