The Dallas Cowboys have been giving hints, for quite some time, they intend to treat the 2026 free agency period differently from years past. In the past it was all about plugging holes with budget friendly options. Some of the times they worked out, but most of the time they did not. This year many think things will be different.
With cornerback widely considered the Cowboys’ biggest need in free agency, there’s a solid chance the Cowboys will go that direction. One free agent CB in particular has been linked to the Cowboys this offseason and it’s a signing that’s predicted to be extremely affordable. But if the Cowboys are looking to strike while the iron is hot and fully seize the opportunity Dak Prescott gives them these next two or three years, then Trey Hendrickson has to be the signing the Cowboys make.
.@BobbyBeltTX made a bold #DallasCowboys offseason prediction on @1053SS & @rjchoppy:
“I’d say that they are going to sign somebody on the outside whose total guarantees over the life of the contract are probably more than they spent on any individual class in the last decade.” pic.twitter.com/qbUPLCoU7C
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) February 11, 2026
For as uncreative as it sounds, the player many consider to be the top defensive free agency of the 2026 class is the same player who could provide the biggest immediate boost to the Cowboys. Hendrickson, No. 1 overall on Pro Football Focus’ free agent board this year, is the best pure pass rusher available on the market. He ranked sixth among edge players in pass rush grade last year and has consistently graded among the NFL’s elite in this all-important category year after year.
YOUR NFL SACK LEADER: TREY HENDRICKSON.
17.5 SACKS IN BACK TO BACK SEASONS. pic.twitter.com/dNpxTylkYR
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) January 5, 2025
Cowboys’ insiders are beginning to believe Jerry Jones will finally open his wallet for outside talent. Jones himself has said he intends to “bust the budget” on outside free agents.
The obvious turd in the punchbowl in regard to Hendrickson is his age, 31, and available workload. Hendrickson has never been what one would consider a stout run defender and coming off a year in which he only played seven games, some believe he’s best working in a rotation at this point in his career.
Breaking the bank on a “war daddy,” as Jones once famously categorized, is one thing, but on guy who will likely be on a pitch count is something else entirely. Then again, those same issues that threaten to devalue Hendrickson are the ones that make the former All-Pro somewhat affordable.
Spotrac estimates Hendrickson to cost roughly $25 million AAV on his next deal. PFF estimates a one-year, $21 million contract coming his way. For a player who’s been a Pro Bowler in four of the last five season and logged 61 sacks during that same time, it sounds like a relative steal.
Even if the Cowboys move to something that resembles a 3-4 defense in 2026, Hendrickson is more than capable of dropping into the occasional coverage assignment from time to time. He’s a player who won’t demand a long-term commitment and fits the window in which Dallas is working with. Best of all he’s a free agent so he’d only cost the Cowboys money and still allow Dallas to use all their draft picks on new young talent.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Bengals’ Hendrickson could be huge splash for Jerry Jones’ Cowboys