Cowboys Urged to Land Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson in Free Agency

Former NFL QB Chase Daniel says Dallas must add a top pass rusher this offseason.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Dallas Cowboys are being advised by former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Chase Daniel that they cannot go through the offseason without landing either Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby to bolster their pass rush. Daniel believes the Cowboys need to prioritize the defensive line and landing one of those two star edge rushers would allow them to focus on other defensive needs like the secondary in the draft.

Why it matters

The Cowboys struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season after trading away Micah Parsons. Adding an elite pass rusher like Hendrickson or Crosby would significantly improve their defense and give them a true game-changer up front.

The details

Hendrickson would be the easier of the two to sign, as he is set to become a free agent after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to place the franchise tag on him. Acquiring Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders would likely require a trade and a steep price. Daniel believes landing either player would allow the Cowboys to focus their draft resources on shoring up the secondary.

  • The Cowboys failed to make the playoffs last season.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A star pass rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who would likely require a trade to acquire.

Trey Hendrickson

A veteran pass rusher who is set to become a free agent after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to place the franchise tag on him.

Chase Daniel

A former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst who is urging the Cowboys to land either Crosby or Hendrickson this offseason.

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys who Daniel is calling on to fulfill his promise of addressing the team's defensive needs.

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What they’re saying

“It starts with the defensive line, then the linebackers, then the secondary. They need the most help there. You cannot leave free agency without either landing Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby, one of those two guys, to make a splash.”

— Chase Daniel, Former NFL QB and ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

“You finally come through on your promise, Jerry [Jones], of giving the Dallas Cowboys something they need. And I love the fact that you're going to do it building from the front to the back, because if you get to the quarterback faster, that makes your job easier in the secondary.”

— Chase Daniel, Former NFL QB and ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to decide whether to pursue a trade for Maxx Crosby or try to sign the free agent Trey Hendrickson in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' inability to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a major weakness last season, and adding an elite pass rusher like Crosby or Hendrickson would be a game-changing move that could transform their entire defense.