ESPN REPORT: The Dallas Cowboys Trade 2 Mega-Star And Replace The Pittsburgh Steelers Key Player.

MAR 8 PETERSON CUT IN PITTSBURGH Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to release eight-time Pro Bowler cornerback Patrick Peterson, avoiding a $3 million roster bonus that kicks in on March 16. Last offseason, Peterson signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Steelers. His release will free up $6.85 million in cap space for Pittsburgh. Peterson played in all 17 games for Pittsburgh last year, recording two interceptions, 11 passes defended and 42 total tackles.

Peterson will likely draw interest from teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, who could lose corner Stephon Gilmore to free agency this offseason. FEB 13 GIANTS BLOCK DALLAS! The Giants have denied the Cowboys’ request for permission to interview their defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who was once a top assistant in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer. Zimmer is now the Dallas coordinator, and of course an assortment of assistants are leaving, so there are vacancies. Patterson was the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in Minnesota under Zimmer, but New York is going to keep him on staff.

FEB 12 ZIM OFFICIAL We pause, given the murkiness of the day, to use the word “official,” but here goes … The Dallas Cowboys have a done deal with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as Washington-bound Dan Quinn’s replacement. The “done deal” wasn’t done. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones himself did say as much last Thursday here in Las Vegas for Super Bowl Week. But … CowboysSI.com reported early Monday morning that there was a “contractual” snag on the way to making the official hire. … and then came ESPN’s Adam Schefter with a hazy suggestion that Rex Ryan – who interviewed well with the Jones family a week ago – is re-entering the picture as a candidate. But enough of the murky and the hazy. The Jones family is getting its guy. FEB 9 DURDE LEAVES, WINK TO WOLVERINES As the Cowboys finalize their arrangement to hire Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator in Dallas, another rumored name is going to college. Michigan is planning to hire former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale as its defensive coordinator, ESPN reports. Related: Cowboys BREAKING: Mike Zimmer Hired By Jerry Jones; 4 Reasons Why Martindale, who was an engineer of some recent top-notch Ravens defenses working under John Harbaugh, will replace Jesse Minter, who became the Chargers defensive coordinator. … where he will be working under Jim Harbaugh, John’s brother, who was just hired by L.A. away from – you guessed it – Michigan. FEB 9 DURDE TO SEATTLE Like the Cowboys, the Seahawks are searching for a defensive coordinator … and both teams had interviewed Dallas assistant Aden Durde as a candidate to fill that role. In Seattle, Durde, a native of Great Britain, will join rookie head coach Mike Macdonald’s first coaching staff. In Dallas, there is now a vacancy on the staff of just-hired coordinator Mike Zimmer..

The 44-year old Durde has interviewed for the Dallas vacancy and has also drawn interest from other NFL clubs. FEB 6 ZIM IN Mike Zimmer is on the docket for Tuesday and scheduled to interview for the defensive coordinator job for the Cowboys today. Zimmer coached here from 1994 to 2006 before becoming the Minnesota head coach. Dallas’ interview process is also expected to include Washington ex head coach Ron Rivera. There are rumors that the Jones family comes into this process already sold on Zimmer. But we are told Jerry, Stephen, Will McClay and Mike McCarthy will all have a voice here … as was the case when Dallas hired Dan Quinn, who now moves on to Washington as the head coach there. FEB 5 WHY NOT? Why don’t the Dallas Cowboys hire Sean Lee as a coach?” It’s among Cowboys Nation’s most-asked questions since Lee’s retirement … and we have in the past tried to explain how much he and wife Megan are enjoying their post-NFL life … absent the grind required of a player … And a coach. But from now on, when the question comes up, we will answer it with this Pro Bowl Week photo … which also explains why expectant parents Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos are not in Orlando, choosing instead to chill on a Colorado mountaintop.