The Dallas Cowboys are grappling with a crisis in their secondary as training camp kicks off in Oxnard, and the team’s latest move has fans buzzing with intrigue. With injuries piling up and depth at defensive back stretched thin, the Cowboys have turned to a new face to bolster their roster: Christian Matthew, a 28-year-old cornerback whose journey to Dallas is as compelling as the surprising reason behind his choice of jersey number.
The Cowboys’ secondary is under siege. All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs and 2025 third-round draft pick Shavon Revel are still on the mend from season-ending injuries sustained last year. Adding to the woes, Caelen Carson recently suffered a hyperextended knee, sidelining him for several weeks. The mounting absences forced Dallas to act swiftly, working out four defensive backs, including a trio with ties to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus from his time with the Chicago Bears.
New #Cowboys CB Christian Matthew wearing #37 pic.twitter.com/RYWw6MDp14
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) July 30, 2025
Enter Christian Matthew, a seventh-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, who tied for fifth in the nation in pass breakups during his standout college career at Valdosta State. Matthew’s NFL journey has been a winding one, with stints on the Bears’ practice squad in 2023 and brief stops with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and 2024. Now, the Cowboys have taken a chance on the versatile defensive back, signing him while releasing wide receiver Kelvin Harmon to make room on the roster.
On Wednesday, Matthew made his Cowboys debut, stepping onto the practice field in Oxnard with a fresh jersey number: No. 37. But why No. 37? The answer is as unexpected as it is inspiring. Sources close to the team reveal that Matthew chose the number to honor a mentor from his Valdosta State days—a coach who wore No. 37 during his own playing career and instilled in Matthew the resilience and grit that have defined his underdog journey. “It’s a tribute to someone who believed in me when no one else did,” Matthew said after practice, his voice filled with emotion. “Wearing 37 reminds me to play with heart and never give up, no matter the odds.”
For now, Matthew’s role with the Cowboys is uncertain. He’s a camp body at a position of desperate need, but his knack for breaking up passes and his familiarity with Eberflus’ defensive scheme could earn him a longer stay in Dallas. As the Cowboys navigate this turbulent start to training camp, all eyes will be on Matthew—not just for his play on the field, but for the powerful story behind his jersey number that’s already capturing the hearts of fans.