Cowboys sign kicker Greg Zuerlein to compete with Kai Forbath

Tribune Content Agency

The Dallas Cowboys have apparently learned their lesson after waiting too long to release struggling kicker Brett Maher and ruining their season in 2019.

They will take two veteran kickers to training camp in 2020.

The team signed former Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein to a three-year deal worth $7.5 million, per sources.

The 32-year old kicker will compete against Kai Forbath, who signed a one-year, $1.18 million deal to return to the Cowboys.

Forbath replaced Maher, who missed a league-high 10 field goals, for the last three games in 2020 and was a perfect 10 of 10 on field goals and 10 of 10 on extra points.

Zuerlein struggled last season largely due to injuries, hitting just 72.7% of his field goals (24 of 33). His nine missed field goals in 2019 were the second most in the NFL behind Maher.

But Zuerlein is hoping for a revival in Dallas where he will be reunited with his former Rams special teams coach John Fassel.

Given the contract commitment and relationship with Fassel, Zuerlein should be the favorite to win the job. He is known for his powerful leg and that should play well at AT&T Stadium.

But the job won’t be given to him as Forbath is legitimate competition.

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