Jerry Jones has made it clear, following the Dallas Cowboys' failure to make the playoffs in 2025, that he would not be afraid to spend more to improve the team ahead of the 2026 season.
An opportunity has presented itself to add an All-Pro edge rusher, and it is time to see if the Cowboys' owner and general manager will put the savings from the Micah Parsons trade where his mouth is and make good on adding a key piece moving forward.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson haven't been on the same page for quite a while now regarding his future with the organization, but it was still surprising to see that they would not use the franchise tag on the dominant edge rusher before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
The tag would've cost Cincinnati $30.2 million in 2026. Hendrickson now becomes an unrestricted free agent.
The Dallas Cowboys are now free to sign Bengals star DE Trey Hendrickson
Make no mistake, Hendrickson is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and has been since his rookie season in 2017.
Since joining the Bengals in 2021, the 31-year-old 6-foot-4, 265-pound Florida Atlantic product has registered 51 sacks and 12 forced fumbles in just 72 games. His quick get off at the line of scrimmage, combined with his ability to both low-bend around left tackles or bullrush his way to QBs have made him a four-time Pro Bowler from 2021 through 2024.
Jerry Jones made a couple of mid-season additions last year, adding Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson. It immediately made one of the worst defenses in the league much better, but it was not enough to make the playoffs despite having such a potent offense.
Adding one of the best edge rushers in the league could be exactly what this team needs moving forward.
The Cowboys were better at pressuring opposing QBs after the trades in the second half of the season, but never truly established an edge presence that offensive coordinators had to gameplan for and could potentially draw double teams and chips from tight ends and running backs.
The situation is even more dire now that Donovan Ezeiruaku, the only key returner, could miss all of OTAs and minicamp after undergoing labrum surgery.
With another premier pass rusher like Maxx Crosby also on the market, the time to upgrade at one of the most important positions on the field is now. Hendrickson may present the most team-friendly deal of the three, and now he is open to all suitors making a run at him.
Will the Cowboys and Jerry be amongst them? They should be.