Randy Gregory Reverses Course, To Sign With Broncos: Report

DALLAS, TX — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory has changed course and now plans to sign with the Denver Broncos after initially agreeing to terms with the Cowboys, according to Altitude TV's Vic Lombardi.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning that Gregory had agreed to terms on a five-year, $70 million contract with $28 million guaranteed to return to the Cowboys.

The Broncos made Gregory a top priority in free agency and thought they were close to a deal Monday night, according to a report ESPN's Ed Werder. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "recruited the hell" out of Gregory, but the team tried to change the language of the contract after it was agreed to, a league source told Werder.

Gregory's contract with the Broncos will be for five years and $70 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garofolo. In Denver, Gregory will team with Bradley Chubb to form a talented duo of bookend pass rushers.

The Cowboys' official Twitter account tweeted news of Gregory's supposed return to Dallas but deleted it once reports of Gregory switching course surfaced. The official Broncos Twitter account then had some fun at the Cowboys' expense.

Gregory can officially sign the contract Wednesday at the start of the NFL's new league year. Monday marked the beginning of the NFL's legal tampering period where free agents can negotiate contracts with teams.

Gregory is coming off the best season of his career, which often has been beset by marijuana-related suspensions and injuries. Finally able to get on the field consistently in 2021, Gregory had six sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 12 games.

Gregory was the 15th-ranked free agent in this year's pool and the fourth-best edge rusher available, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Cowboys' second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Gregory missed 14 games in 2016 and full seasons in 2017 and 2019 because of marijuana-related suspensions. The NFL loosened its policy on marijuana with the new collective bargaining agreement in 2020 and no longer suspends players because of a positive sample for the drug.

Earlier Tuesday, the Cowboys appeared to have locked in the cornerstones of their defensive line over the last two days. Amid rumors he could be salary cap casualty, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence agreed to a 3-year, $40 million deal with $30 million in guarantees Monday. The contract lowered Lawrence's salary cap hit from $27 million to $14 million in 2022.