The Dallas Cowboys seem like they want to make some meaningful additions to the defensive side of the ball. Owner Jerry Jones voiced that Dallas will spend more money in free agency, but the latest report suggests they could be going down the wrong path.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby's name has been tossed around in trade talks, as the star defender wants out of Sin City. The Cowboys have expressed interest, but the freshest batch of reports reveals Dallas may be out of the running and has turned its attention to another pass rusher on the market.
Trey Wingo, formerly of ESPN, tweeted that the Cowboys thought they were "close to a deal," but some other teams had upped their offers. With someone potentially giving up two first-round picks, Dallas is now setting its sights on veteran Trey Hendrickson.
Cowboys May Look to Add Trey Hendrickson in Free Agency
Las Vegas reportedly is seeking two first-round picks and a player in return for Crosby. Meanwhile, NFL Network's Jane Slater revealed a team source said, "But we [Dallas] would not give up two first rounders.”
With it being clear that the Cowboys won't meet Las Vegas' asking price, Hendrickson is the next best option, and unlike Crosby, he's going to be a free agent. The Florida Atlantic product is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2024. Over his career, Hendrickson has racked up 81 career sacks and 163 QB hits.
While he's had success, it won't come cheap. Spotrac projects the former Cincinnati Bengals star to land a two-year, $50.8 million contract ($25.4 million). That'a hefty deal for a 31-year-old defender who is coming off a core muscle injury that limited him to seven games in 2025.
There's no telling how Hendrickson will look when he returns to the field. It's also worth noting that he'll be 32 years old this coming season. Although acquiring Crosby would require draft compensation going to Las Vegas, he's three years younger and is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
Hendrickson can disrupt the game, but he's not in the tier of the top-notch pass rushers. The Cowboys don't have a bunch of extra money to spend, either, making a potential partnership more difficult than it could be elsewhere in the league. According to Overthecap, Dallas has $9.7 million in space, which is far below the numbers projected above.
Of course, Dallas could use some juice off the edge. The Cowboys have some massive holes at cornerback, linebacker, and safety, though. Putting all their eggs into Hendrickson's basket would limit their ability to make savvy additions elsewhere in free agency.
And it's not like Dallas isn't already investing in the defensive line. Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa are currently combining for $63.8 million on the 2026 books, with each player making $20 million plus.
Yes, they are all defensive tackles, but Dallas needs to find a more cost-effective option if they can't land Crosby. If they hold off on paying Hendrickson, they could have the money to pursue the likes of Nakobe Dean and Jalen Thompson.
There are several needs on defense, and if the Cowboys choose to pay Hendrickson, they would be holding themselves back from improving other areas on that unit. Plain and simple, Dallas can't afford to do that next season.