David

Irving

Irving returned from suspension and a short retirement to appear in two games with the Raiders, playing 40 defensive snaps. He re-signed to a one-year, $1.04 million contract in February. The release clears $990K in cap space for the Raiders, who have been linked to trade rumors for Julio Jones and Aaron Rodgers. Irving, 27, had free agent interest from the Lions and Colts.

Due to suspensions and a short-lived retirement, Irving has only played 98 snaps since the 2017 season. 40 of them came with the Raiders last year. There’s a theoretical ceiling to chase with Irving, but he can’t be banked on as a starter given his past. The 27-year-old recently worked out with the Colts and Giants.

Irving, 27, returned to the league this season after spending 2019 “retired” following multiple suspensions. He appeared in two games for the Raiders, spanning 40 snaps. Let go mid-season, Irving has now visited the Colts and Lions this week.

Oft-suspended ex-Cowboys lineman Irving got a second chance with the Raiders last season, but he didn’t do much with it, making only two appearances after being signed in late October. He played just 45 total snaps. Going on 28, Irving won’t land guaranteed money on the open market, and will have to look like a man possessed in offseason workouts to have a legit shot at cracking someone’s 53-man roster.

Irving, who has been suspended for all but two games since the beginning of the 2018 season, was conditionally reinstated just four days ago. If Irving, who has a history of failed/missed drug tests and “quitting” football, can actually get on the field, he would help goose one of the league’s worst pass rushes. There is still a long way between Dot A and Dot B for the 27-year-old, who will need several weeks just to get in shape on the taxi squad. If that goes well, a 53-man promotion is all but assured.

Irving, who last played for the Cowboys in 2018, missed the 2019 season after being suspended for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy - including multiple missed drug tests. In March of 2019, Irving proclaimed he “quit” football. That has seemingly changed, as his representation contacted Jay Glazer, who helped Aldon Smith in his recovery and build a path back to the NFL. Irving will be 27 years old in August.

“I’m sure y’all saw the NFL said they’re going to change the laws,” Irving, 27, said in a pair of videos on Instagram Monday. “Everyone’s been DMing me, asking if I’m going to go back. Well, let’s just say I’m in the reinstatement process right now.” Last we heard from Irving he was announcing he “quit” football all while smoking a blunt. He remains suspended indefinitely until further notice.

“So, basically guys, I quit,” Irving said. “I’m outta there. I’m not doing this sh*t no more.” Irving, 26, did his Instagram cameo all while smoking a blunt. Long on talent and monstrous at 6'7/290, Irving simply is throwing it all away to have more fun it appears. Irving was suspended indefinitely from the NFL last week.

It’s Irving’s third suspension in as many years. Headed for free agency, Irving’s latest ban will undoubtedly end his tenure with Dallas. The hulking 6'7" lineman has recorded eight sacks in his last 10 appearances, though continued off-field discretions have kept him from realizing his full potential. A repeated violator of the league’s substance abuse policy, the 25-year-old could be facing a long road to reinstatement. It may be a while before he resurfaces.

Irving has been suspended twice for violating the NFL’s drug policy, and he is facing an even longer suspension this time around. The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys have “no intention” of re-signing Irving despite his talents and only being 25. If he gets another suspension, it’s going to be a lot harder for Irving to find a new landing spot.