Despite a changing of the guard atop the coaching staff for the Cowboys ' special teams unit, one of the cornerstone players of that group is staying put for 2025.
The team and C.J. Goodwin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal to keep him in Dallas for an eighth season, the Cowboys announced Tuesday afternoon. He had been on a one-year contract in 2024 and another in 2023 prior to that.
Goodwin is listed as a cornerback but has made his reputation as one of the more dependable special-teams performers in the league. He led all Cowboys in special teams snaps last season, forced a fumble, and notched his first-ever fumble return while seeing action in all 17 games.
Having turned 35 just last month and one of the oldest Cowboys on the roster, it's easy to forget that Goodwin hasn't been a staple of the Dallas special teams forever. But the West Virginia native actually bounced around with six other clubs over four-plus years before finally landing with the Cowboys during the 2018 season.
"Very blessed and grateful for another opportunity to play the sport I love with the team I idolized as a child," Goodwin told Joseph Hoyt of All DLLS. "Looking forward to chasing that ring [that] Cowboys Nation deserves."
It was feared that Goodwin might depart via free agency to sign with Tennessee , where former special teams coordinator John Fassel and assistant Rayna Stewart are on staff now. Instead, Goodwin will anchor the unit to be helmed by new coordinator Nick Sorensen and assistant Carlos Polk.
News of Goodwin's re-signing came just hours after the Cowboys agreed with defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa on a four-year contract worth $80 million.
With that sizable piece of the financial puzzle sorted, it appears the front office is ready to lock down several other players in advance of free agency, which begins next week.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Special teams standout C.J. Goodwin to re-sign with Cowboys
