Monday is the official opening of the NFL’s free agency period. Are the Dallas Cowboys ready to “bust the budget“?
That’s the buzz phrase of the offseason for Jerry Jones and Co., and starting Monday we’ll see if they quite literally put the money where their mouth has been.
Dallas has plenty of holes to fix on its roster, especially defensively, and they also have some key players set to hit the market, including edge Jadaveon Clowney and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Will the Cowboys finally make a big free agency move in 2026? Here’s what you should know about Dallas’ player additions, potential free agency targets and the status of the Cowboys’ own free agents as the offseason moves forward.
Cowboys
Free agency details
Negotiation window opening: Monday, 11 a.m.; During this period clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with players who will become unrestricted free agents.
Signing period: Wednesday, 3 p.m.; The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin.
Potential Cowboys free-agent targets
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, left, sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
Jeff Dean / AP
Big money option: DE Trey Hendrickson
Projected market value: $25.4 million annually
Want to prove you’re willing to bust the budget? Find a way to land one of the big fish in free agency. Hendrickson being on the market has been long anticipated. Now that the moment is here, the Cowboys should be interested, especially since they missed out on a trade for Maxx Crosby. Hendrickson had 35 combined sacks in 2023-24 and would instantly, even at 31, raise the entire floor of the Cowboys defense.
Mid-tier option: LB NaKobe Dean
Projected market value: $7.9 million
The Cowboys are looking for a partner for DeMarvion Overshown. Dean fits the bill. Dean is a downhill linebacker who’s proven to be an excellent blitzer. He also has the potential to wear the green dot for the Cowboys — an important role under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Budget-friendly option: Safety P.J. Locke
Projected market value: $3.5 million
Locke has connections with Parker. Parker was the cornerbacks coach in Denver prior to joining the Eagles. Locke started just three games last season but could find a larger role elsewhere. Could it be back in his home state of Texas?
Check out more Cowboys free agent targets here.
Cowboys’ free agents
— Edge Jadeveon Clowney
— K Brandon Aubrey (restricted)
— LB Kenneth Murray
— S Donovan Wilson
— Edge Dante Fowler Jr.
— OG Rob Jones
— Edge Payton Turner
— Edge Sam Williams
— LB Jack Sanborn
— RB Miles Sanders
— WR Jalen Tolbert
— CB C.J. Goodwin
— OT Hakeem Adeniji
— DB Corey Ballentine
— OL T.J. Bass (restricted)
— OL Brock Hoffman (restricted)
— DB Juanyeh Thomas
— DB Josh Butler (exclusive rights)
— DB Reddy Steward (exclusive rights)
More on Cowboys free agency
— A 10-step blueprint for the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFL offseason
— Cowboys free agent targets: Big money, mid-tier and budget-friendly options to fix defense
— Brandon Aubrey updates contract negotiations with Cowboys: ‘It’s an opportunity for me’
— Will the Dallas Cowboys finally be big free agency spenders in 2026?
— Jerry Jones says he let Cowboys fans down with Super Bowl drought. Is he ready to change?
— Could signing Nakobe Dean be the first big move in Cowboys’ quest to revamp their defense?
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