In a moment that set Cowboys Nation ablaze, Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas may have unintentionally dropped the most intriguing hint of the offseason. During a late-night Instagram Live session, Thomas mentioned a 2AM phone call with an unnamed “big-name free agent cornerback.” It wasn’t long before social media sleuths and die-hard fans put two and two together—believing the mystery player to be none other than Xavien Howard, the former All-Pro cornerback and current free agent.
Within minutes of the reveal, fans flooded X with tweets, Instagram exploded with speculation, and Reddit threads multiplied by the hour. One passionate Cowboys fan summed up the fanbase’s mood perfectly:
“THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR REAL.”
Let’s break down the incident, what it could mean for the Cowboys’ defense, and why this moment has the potential to spark one of the most significant late-offseason acquisitions in recent memory.
The Accidental Reveal
It all started during what seemed like an innocent late-night Instagram Live by Juanyeh Thomas. The 23-year-old undrafted standout was chatting casually with fans, discussing training camp preparation and offseason workouts when one follower asked about leadership in the secondary.
That’s when Thomas—possibly without realizing the magnitude of his words—dropped the bombshell.
“Man, I was just on the phone at like 2AM with one of the best to do it at corner. He a free agent right now, too. We talked about culture, about what it means to be a Cowboy…”
He paused, smiled, and quickly tried to change the subject. But the damage—or delight, depending on your perspective—was already done.
While Thomas didn’t name names, fans quickly dissected the comment and landed on one probable conclusion: Xavien Howard.
Why Xavien Howard Fits the Clues
Here’s why Howard seems to be the man behind the mysterious 2AM call:
- Free Agent Status – Howard has remained unsigned after being released by the Miami Dolphins in March 2025.
- Position – He’s a proven cornerback, exactly what Thomas said.
- Reputation – A two-time Pro Bowler and former NFL interceptions leader, Howard fits the description of “one of the best.”
- Interest in Contending – Howard has publicly stated he’s looking to join a playoff-ready team with strong culture and leadership.
- Connections – Thomas and Howard share a similar football journey from the Southeast (Thomas from Georgia Tech, Howard from Baylor/Miami), and their paths may have crossed at NFL events or offseason workouts.
It’s almost too perfect.
Why the Cowboys Could Use Howard
Let’s be honest—the Cowboys’ secondary is solid, but not bulletproof.
After losing veteran Stephon Gilmore to free agency and dealing with injuries to Trevon Diggs last season, Dallas needs both depth and experience. The unit still includes stars like Diggs and DaRon Bland, who led the NFL in pick-sixes last year, but there’s a noticeable drop-off when you get past the top two corners.
Howard brings:
- Playoff experience
- Elite ball-hawking skills
- Mentorship for young players
- Versatility in man and zone coverages
Adding Howard to the mix would instantly elevate the Cowboys’ secondary into one of the top-tier units in the NFC.
The Cowboys’ Cap Situation
Naturally, the next question becomes: Can the Cowboys afford him?
Here’s what we know:
- Dallas still has roughly $15 million in cap space for 2025.
- They’ve been hesitant to splurge this offseason, likely saving room for extensions (CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons).
- But short-term, incentive-laden deals are not off the table.
Howard, now 31, may be willing to sign a one-year prove-it deal with playoff incentives, especially if he views Dallas as a real contender.
A hypothetical deal might look like:
1-year, $6 million base + $2 million in performance incentives
That would keep Dallas flexible and allow Howard a platform to chase a Super Bowl and earn a longer contract in 2026.
Fanbase Reaction: Hype Level 100
As expected, Cowboys fans reacted with a mix of excitement, obsession, and conspiracy-fueled optimism.
X (formerly Twitter) was full of posts like:
- “Juanyeh just leaked the biggest signing of the offseason!”
- “I’m not sleeping till we get confirmation Xavien is a Cowboy.”
- “If we get Howard, I’m booking Super Bowl flights tonight.”
One viral clip even showed a group of Cowboys fans gathering outside The Star in Frisco chanting, “Sign Xavien! Sign Xavien!” while wearing Howard’s old Dolphins jerseys Photoshopped with Cowboys logos.
Inside the Locker Room: Thomas the Recruiter
Juanyeh Thomas’ emergence as a vocal locker room presence has been unexpected but welcome. After going undrafted in 2022, Thomas battled his way onto the Cowboys’ roster with a reputation for tenacity and IQ.
He’s now become a quiet leader, one who clearly isn’t afraid to do a little off-the-record recruiting.
And while Thomas quickly tried to walk back his comment—later tweeting “Y’all buggin, I talk to a lot of dudes ”—the damage was already done. In the court of public opinion, this wasn’t a denial—it was confirmation wrapped in deflection.
Potential Timeline for a Signing
If the rumors are true, and Howard is indeed considering Dallas, here’s a possible timeline:
- Mid-July – Private visit or Zoom call with Dan Quinn and new DC Mike Zimmer
- Late July – Physicals and paperwork at The Star
- Early August – Official signing announced as training camp opens
- Preseason Week 1 – Howard debuts in limited reps with first-team defense
Cowboys front office sources haven’t commented yet, but insider whispers suggest Stephen Jones has been in quiet talks with multiple veteran DBs—and Howard’s name is on the shortlist.
How He Changes the Defensive Picture
Let’s imagine Howard does sign with the Cowboys. Here’s what the cornerback depth chart could look like:
- CB1: Trevon Diggs
- CB2: Xavien Howard
- Nickel: DaRon Bland
- CB4: Jourdan Lewis
- CB5: Nahshon Wright or rookie
Add that to a pass rush led by Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Osa Odighizuwa, and the Cowboys defense suddenly looks ferocious again—perhaps even better than their 2022 version that led the league in takeaways.
Howard’s presence would also allow Zimmer to implement more complex man-zone hybrids, knowing he has two All-Pro level ballhawks on each side.
A Final Note on the “2AM Call” Era
It’s rare that a simple Instagram Live can generate this much buzz. But that’s exactly what’s happening in Dallas. For a fanbase starved for a deep playoff run, this potential move feels like the missing puzzle piece.
And for Juanyeh Thomas, his accidental revelation might go down in Cowboys lore as the moment a late-night chat turned into a championship-changing signing.
So to all the fans watching their phones, refreshing X, and scouring Reddit for updates—you might not have to wait long.
Because if that 2AM call was really with Xavien Howard, and if the vibes were as real as Thomas hinted, then buckle up:
