Former Cowboys Pro Bowler without a job clearly deserves a training camp invite

NFL training camp is right around the corner, and yet there are multiple former Dallas Cowboys players who remain unsigned. Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott are the most notable of that group, but it goes without saying that a reunion is not in the cards for either player.

While Cooper undoubtedly deserves an invite to training camp, Elliott is a much different story. It's unclear if we've seen the last of Elliott in the NFL, but his days of being a top-two running back on a depth chart are likely over.

Not far behind Cooper and Elliott in terms of prominence, though, is the ageless wonder Nick Folk, who somehow does not have a job as we reach the halfway point of July. Even more so than Cooper, Folk deserves to be playing in the NFL this upcoming season.

Former Cowboys kicker Nick Folk deserves a training camp invitation

Brandon Aubrey is without question the best kicker in the NFL, so Folk obviously isn't a fit with the Cowboys. By definition, though, Folk has been the league’s most prolific kicker in terms of field goal percentage during his two seasons with the Titans.

The former Cowboy led all kickers with a 96.7 percent conversion rate in 2023 and he did so again last year with a 95.5 percent conversion rate, per Pro Football Reference. More known for his accuracy than booming leg strength, Folk made 11 of his 12 attempts from 50 or more yards with Tennessee.

RELATED: Top Cowboys defender is still unemployed entering training camp

After watching Aubrey drill 50-plus FGs in his sleep the last two seasons, Cowboys fans know the sheer value of being able to put points on the board shortly after crossing midfield. That isn't to say Folk's leg strength is comparable to Aubrey's, but the 40-year-old clearly is not futile from long distance.

With how bad kicking is across the NFL, it is shocking Folk doesn't have a job. Teams such as the Vikings, Patriots, Eagles (no thanks), Falcons, Bengals and 49ers (another no thanks) all trotted out kickers who made field goals at a 80.0 percent clip or lower last season.

Approaching his age-41 season (he turns 41 in November), Folk might be waiting for the right opportunity. At this point, he can probably roll out of bed and win a starting job.

Interest in Folk will likely ramp up shortly into training camp. It is inevitable that various kickers will wilt under the pressure of competition. It feels like a matter of when Folk receives an invite to camp, but regardless it is pretty baffling it's taken this long for him to find work in 2025.