After drafting Randy Gregory in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cowboys may finally start to see some return on their investment this season – albeit multiple suspensions and three years later.
The NFL has reinstated Gregory on a conditional basis today, and by all accounts, the former Nebraska Cornhusker is in a much better place in life than he was three years ago. Gregory has completed and passed numerous drug tests as well as attended in-patient rehabs in an effort to get not only his personal life but his football career back on track.
Cowboys’ pass rusher Randy Gregory has been reinstated, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2018
To say Gregory’s NFL career has been a rocky road thus far would be a gross understatement. Projected as a first-round pick, he saw himself fall out of day one due to rumors of a failed drug test at the NFL combine just a few months prior. Those rumors proved not only to be true but also just the tip of the iceberg regarding the issues Gregory was quietly dealing with.
He would go on to miss 14 games in 2016 and the entire season in 2017 due to suspensions. In fact, since being drafted, Gregory has only actually played in 14 games for the Cowboys, racking up just one sack. However, the talent level is unquestioned. If Gregory can become the elite pass rusher off the edge again, like he was at Nebraska, the Cowboys defensive front four just got an immediate upgrade. Imagine having DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and David Irving rushing the passer on third downs. The Cowboys haven’t had a pass rush that potent since another #94 was wearing the star on his helmet.
Randy Gregory beating 9-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters and sacking Carson Wentz on Sunday pic.twitter.com/Y78QMPhMnb
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 5, 2017
Usually not a big social media presence, the man himself took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to express his approval.
😉
— Randy Gregory (@RandyGregory_4) July 17, 2018
As previously mentioned, Gregory’s reinstatement is a conditional one and he will have to continue to abide by the rules laid out for him by the NFL. As long as he has no further missteps, he will be allowed to rejoin the team and participate in all related activities – training camp, workouts, preseason games and yes, actual regular season games.
For the glass half full crowd – since Gregory was suspended almost all of 2016 and 2017, his rookie contract was actually put on hold. This means that the Cowboys can control his rights through the 2020 season, nothing to sneeze at especially if Gregory becomes the player they hope and think he can be.
Because of the two suspensions, the Cowboys have Randy Gregory under contract through 2020. He signed a four-year deal as a second-round pick in 2015. https://t.co/r5524flbQK
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) July 17, 2018
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