On March 19, 2024, at 04:15 PM, Johnathan Hankins made a notable move in his football career by signing with the Seattle Seahawks. The decision marks the end of his two-year tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, as reported by DallasCowboys.com contributors Nick Harris and Patrik Walker.
Hankins’s move to Seattle sees him reuniting with his former Cowboys defensive line coach, Aden Durde, who now serves as the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks under the leadership of new head coach Mike MacDonald.
Arriving in Dallas during the middle of the 2022 season through a trade involving a sixth-round pick, Hankins contributed to 19 games over two seasons for the Cowboys. During his time with the team, he recorded 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks. His absence due to an ankle injury in December 2023 was felt keenly by the Dallas defense, as the team lost two out of three games without him, allowing an average of 160.7 rushing yards per game.
The impact of Hankins on the Cowboys’ run defense has been evident, prompting discussions about the possibility of re-signing him. His presence as a veteran nose tackle has highlighted the importance of having an interior lineman adept at absorbing double teams and disrupting opposing running backs. This influence played a role in the Cowboys’ decision to select Mazi Smith with a first-round pick.
Despite expressing a desire to continue with Dallas for another season, Hankins opted to pursue opportunities elsewhere, leading him to join the Seattle Seahawks.
Hankins becomes the seventh Cowboys free agent to depart this offseason, joining other notable departures such as Dorance Armstrong, Tony Pollard, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler Jr., Neville Gallimore, and Tyron Smith. The Cowboys have managed to retain three free agents, including Jourdan Lewis, C.J. Goodwin, and Trent Sieg, while also securing linebacker Eric Kendricks from outside the organization.
