Trading for Rashan Gary solved some, and only some, of the Dallas Cowboys' problems up front on defense. They need to do more.
Jerry Jones still has time to make moves before the draft, but that may be his only path to finding his next star pass rusher. Fortunately, a veteran option who would really fortify the defense is sitting right under his nose, and it's one that Cowboys fans would fully embrace.
Calais Campbell has been one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers since 2008. The 6-foot-8, 315-pound veteran would bring a massive presence and help restore credibility to the Cowboys’ defense at a reasonable cost.
The Dallas Cowboys should sign veteran DL Calais Campbell
Some may call him the ageless wonder.
In fact, the soon-to-be 40-year-old has never played fewer than 12 games in a season and has started all 17 in each of the past three years. If the Cowboys are serious about adding depth up front after trading Osa Odighizuwa, Campbell checks every box, as he can play inside and out.
Near the end of the 2025 season, Campbell said he wasn’t sure about retirement, but it would be surprising if he walked away given his level of play in recent years. The 18-year vet has defied the odds time and time again, and last season was no different.
Campbell ranked 19th among interior defenders with a 69.2 run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus. He was also seventh with nine quarterback hits and 11th with six sacks. He only played 524 snaps, but that's all Dallas will need from him with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark locked in as the starters in Christian Parker's defense.
Spotrac projects Campbell to get a one-year, $10 million contract, while PFF projected a one-year, $6 million deal with $5 million guaranteed. That is obviously doable for the Cowboys.
After failing to trade for or sign an established pass rusher, including a reported attempt to acquire the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Cowboys need an answer.
Campbell may not bring the same explosiveness off the edge as he did earlier in his career, but signing him would make fans feel a lot better about drafting an edge rusher in the first round.