The Dallas Cowboys have taken a punt on Greg Hardy , who has agreed on a one-year deal which could be worth up to $ 13.1million . At 26 , the aggressive pass rusher is in his prime but missed all but one game last season after being placed on the Commissioner 's Exempt List following a conviction for assaulting his then partner . He remains on the exempt list until the NFL has finished it own investigation , with reports saying he could miss the first six games of the 2015 season . Nicknamed The Kraken , Greg Hardy is a fearsome pass rusher but is tainted by off-field issues . Hardy leaves Mecklenburg County jail after being released on bond in Charlotte in May last year . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks were said to be interested in Hardy , but both dropped out of a move . 'At the end of the day , we did n't feel good about it , ' Bucs general manager Jason Licht told the Tampa Bay Times . The deal with Dallas is heavily incentive-driven and was first revealed by NFL insider Ian Rapoport . The Carolina Panthers put the franchise tag on Hardy in February 2014 , guaranteeing him $ 13.1 . He was arrested and charged on May 13 with assaulting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder . Hardy was found guilty on July 15 by a Mecklenburg County judge , but on appeal to a jury trial ( a quirk of North Carolina law ) , charges were dropped when Holder refused to co-operate with the prosecutor . In purely football terms , the Cowboys have strengthened a position of need . Last season , the Cowboys defense mustered 28 sacks last season . During his 2013 season , defensive end Hardy made the Pro Bowl and recorded 15 sacks ; in 2012 he had 11 and adds an extra dimension to Rod Marinelli 's 4-3 scheme .
The year - old defensive coordinator signed on an injury - laden one - year deal . The Tampa Bay was dropped out of the chase for cash , who was released by the Carolina bills after he was placed on the exempt list . He was arrested and charged in May last year with assaulting and threatening to kill his ex - girlfriend . The case was dismissed in court in February after a lack of co - operation from the accuser .