On this date in 2017, the Cardinals released linebacker Daryl Washington. This wasn’t the first time a player with a Pro Bowl pedigree was released, and it won’t be the last, but this transaction was notable for a different reason. At this point, Washington had not played a single down of football since the final week of the 2013 season. 
[RELATED: This Date In Transactions History: Cardinals Sign Josh Rosen]
Washington racked up an eye-popping 134 tackles in 2012, including nine sacks. And, in 2013, he was still reasonably productive with 75 tackles and three sacks in 12 games. Unfortunately, he made more headlines for his repeated bans and mishaps. Washington was suspended for four games in 2013, then was banned for all of 2014 after yet another substance abuse violation. He was also arrested in the ’13 offseason on two counts of aggravated assault against his one-time spouse.
A few years later, when Washington was finally reinstated by the league, the Cardinals were not interested in a reunion, even though he was still only 30 years old at the time. When Arizona rejected the TCU product, he went on a public campaign to stir up interest from the Cowboys.
“Why not be a Cowboy?” Washington said. “I’m settled in here. It’s home. Let’s try to get one this year. Come on Mr. [Jerry] Jones, you’ll be glad you took a chance on me. We’ll hold up that Lombardi Trophy together.”
Mr. Jones has taken his fair share of gambles before, but he wasn’t interested in Mr. Washington. We haven’t heard much from Washington since, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see him on the field again.
Slow news day
Johnny Carson!
Man, you know your franchise’s reputation is bad when a guy known for his off-the-field issues publicly lobbies for your franchise only to sign him…
The Cowboys are the second chance guys.
Quite a change from the
Landry days…..
Tom Landry could out coach Jason Garrett in his sleep so he didn’t have to offer second chances.
I agree it’s more about the coach.
Cowboys with Garret, Bengals with Lewis.. Raiders with every HC ever
Daryl who?
Washington
Ironically, the Cardinals drafted Washington ahead of Sean Lee who is the only LB from the 2010 draft class still active…with the Cowboys.
Sean Lee is a classic example of obvious talent who went later than expected then still excelled .
Every year theres a few like this.
Ray Rice R2 back when
AJ Brown and DK Metcalf last year
Lamar Jackson the year before
I think this year teams will be kicking themselves off letting Chase Claypool be the 6th WR to come off the board
Why even post this column? I can’t speak for more than myself obviously but I absolutely skim past any “ this date in transaction history “ story …
who cares. Just my opinion. Love the other stuff tho
I think it’s an excellent feature, particularly when the back story as to why transactions took place is included. I only wish they would feature more transaction stories from the 60s when the AFL and NFL were rivals.
That would be quite interesting. The early days of the rivalry were filled with a lot of bitterness.
Some of the stories from that era are absolutely hilarious. One of my favorites is how the Giants tried to put Buck Buchanan on ice so he couldn’t sign with Kansas City. Apparently the Giant’s babysitter got drunk and passed out. Buck took the opportunity to jump out a window and escape. Chiefs fans are pretty glad he did.