Cowboys Projected to Sign Trey Hendrickson in Epic $97.5M Free Agency Move

Dallas looks to bolster defense with top free agent pass rusher

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly expected to sign free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a three-year, $97.5 million contract, according to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport. This would be a major move for the Cowboys, who missed out on signing Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby earlier in free agency.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have struggled to find consistent pass rushing production in recent seasons, and the addition of Hendrickson would give them a dominant presence off the edge to complement their talented secondary. This signing would be a statement that the Cowboys are going all-in to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.

The details

Hendrickson, 31, is coming off a down year in 2025 due to injuries, but he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and earned first-team All-Pro honors. The Cowboys are reportedly willing to make a significant financial commitment to sign him, with Davenport's projection of a three-year, $97.5 million deal being the most aggressive figure floated so far in free agency.

  • NFL free agency opens on March 11, 2026.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A 31-year-old defensive end who is one of the top free agents available this offseason after leading the NFL in sacks in 2024.

Jerry Jones

The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, who has said the team will be active in free agency despite salary cap constraints.

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What they’re saying

“The Dallas Cowboys are annually in salary cap purgatory, and 2026 is no different—the team has restructured a number of deals just to get under the salary cap. But while speaking to reporters, Cowboys grand poobah Jerry Jones said that the Cowboys aren't done—and that they will be active in free agency.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

NFL free agency officially opens on March 11, 2026, so the Cowboys will need to finalize a contract with Trey Hendrickson before then if they want to land the top pass rusher.

The takeaway

This potential signing of Trey Hendrickson would be a major coup for the Cowboys as they look to bolster their defense and compete for a Super Bowl in 2026. It shows Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are willing to make a big financial commitment to land an elite pass rusher, even in the face of salary cap constraints.