Even though they're headed in the right direction, the Dallas Cowboys need all of the help on defense they can get. Signing Jalen Thompson and acquiring Rashan Gary were both solid opening-day moves from Jerry Jones, but now that the dust has settled, his work fixing this defense isn't done yet.
The Cowboys missed out on Nakobe Dean and never pursued Devin Lloyd or Quay Walker, which should prompt Jones and Christian Parker to make a pivot. Yesterday afternoon, the Denver Broncos shocked the NFL world by announcing their intent to release Dre Greenlaw, and Dallas should be all over signing him now that he's available.
Releasing Greenlaw was an unexpected move, and sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them. As Jerry continues his hopes of spending to improve a historically bad defense, the Broncos' loss could become the Cowboys' gain if the owner/GM plays his cards right.
The Dallas Cowboys need to capitalize on the Broncos' mistake of releasing Dre Greenlaw
The 28-year-old has been a key contributor for some of the best defenses in the NFL across the last couple of seasons, which is true for his time in both San Francisco and Denver. He's played a key role in multiple Super Bowl runs with the 49ers and is one of the most physical and tough LBs in the NFL.
The Cowboys likely won't be involved in Kaden Elliss and Bobby Okereke, the two best available linebackers available in free agency, but Greenlaw could be another story. The 2019 fifth-rounder is instantly one of the most coveted defenders on the market, so Jerry may need to act fast to close this.
The risk involved in signing a player like the Arkansas product is noticeable, though. Greenlaw has played in just 10 games across the last two seasons, including just two games for the 49ers in 2024. He tore his Achilles in 2023, where he missed most of 2024, while a quad injury affected him in 2025.
That is a lot of injury risk for a player who is supposedly a game-changer. He'd be a great addition, but that would only be when he's on the field.
If the Cowboys are encouraged by his medicals, they should absolutely kick the hires on Greenlaw. They reportedly made a run at him last offseason before he signed with the Broncos. Now that he's available and most of the top LBs are gone, what's stopping them?