Cowboys backup offensive lineman Brock Hoffman becomes the first Dallas free agent to sign elsewhere.
We have seen the Dallas Cowboys be proactive in free agency, as the franchise has made a couple of good moves for Christian Parker's defense.
But one thing that has been a little odd is that several of Dallas' own free agents had not been signed by another team.
Of course, most of the Cowboys' free agents aren't in "tier 1" of free agency, as most are good, quality backups, so maybe that wasn't a surprise.
Well, now, the first of Dallas' free agents has found themselves a new home.
And that is offensive lineman and "brawler" Brock Hoffman.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that Hoffman has signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He now reunites with Mike McCarthy in the AFC North.
But wait. Multiple outlets say this is no done deal. And Cowboys reporter Nick Harris says that he spoke to the player on Tuesday night and that Hoffman said he has not agreed to a deal with anybody.
A tough-as-nails lineman, who doesn't take a backward step and is often in the thick of push and shoves on the field, you could make the case that Pittsburgh is the ideal landing spot for Hoffman.
If there is one team in the NFL that embodies all that Hoffman is about as a player, it's the Steelers.
Likely seeking starting snaps, Brock wasn't going to get that in Dallas, with Cooper Beebe beating him out for the starting center role in training camp. Tyler Booker is the starting right guard, Tyler Smith the starting left guard.
And Hoffman isn't a tackle.
So this move likely gives Hoffman a chance to earn his desired starts, and under McCarthy, he proved to be a quality backup and potential starter for the Cowboys.
Now he takes his talents to the Steelers, and he could flourish.
Yes, it is a one-year deal, so Hoffman is seen as a cheap, dependable option for Pittsburgh, and his familiarity with McCarthy's offense from his time in Dallas is likely another reason the Steelers signed him.
Hoffman didn't put a foot wrong in Dallas; it was simply that others were better at their positions than he was.
Whenever he was asked to step in as a starter, he did so more than adequately, and often without fanfare. His physical style was loved by fans and Cowboys players.
Now, Brock heads to the Steel City as the next chapter of his NFL career gets written.
Maybe.