The Dallas Cowboys are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the message is clear: fix the defense. After a season where the unit struggled mightily under Matt Eberflus, the front office has turned the page, handing the reins to Christian Parker - a rising star in defensive coaching circles.
Parker arrives at The Star with a strong résumé, having helped mold standout defensive backs like Patrick Surtain II, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell during his time in Denver and Philadelphia. Now, he steps into a situation in Dallas that demands immediate attention and results.
The Cowboys are armed with two first-round picks in this year’s draft, and all signs point to both being used on the defensive side of the ball. That makes sense - this roster has holes, and the draft offers a chance to start plugging them.
But before Dallas hits the draft board, free agency looms large. And that’s where things could get interesting.
Dallas has the potential to free up over $100 million in cap space through a mix of restructures, extensions, and cuts. That kind of financial flexibility opens up two roads: stock up on solid, starting-caliber players across the board - or go big-game hunting.
And one name being floated as a potential splash move? Trey Hendrickson.
The veteran pass rusher appears to be on his way out of Cincinnati, and while his 2025 season was cut short after just seven games due to injury, his track record speaks for itself. In the two seasons prior, Hendrickson was a force - 35 sacks over 34 games, earning four straight Pro Bowl nods in the process.
Even in a down year statistically, he still posted an elite 86.4 grade, ranking 12th in PFSN’s EDGE Impact metrics. That kind of consistency and impact is exactly what Dallas needs on the edge.
The Cowboys have already made a big move by bringing in Quinnen Williams, but the front seven still lacks balance. Adding Hendrickson to a defensive line that could include Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark, and rotational pieces like Jadeveon Clowney, James Houston, and Donovan Ezeiruaku? That’s the kind of depth and disruption that can change games - and maybe change the narrative around this defense entirely.
But here’s the catch: Hendrickson is expected to command a multi-year deal in the ballpark of $30 million per year. That’s a hefty price tag, especially for a team that’s already projected to franchise tag George Pickens for around $28 million in 2026, and has three defensive linemen - Quinnen, Clark, and Osa - each likely to carry $20 million APY contracts.
So the question becomes: Is Dallas willing to go all-in?
This isn’t just about adding another name to the roster. It’s about identity.
For years, the Cowboys have been known more for their offensive firepower and less for their ability to shut down opponents. Bringing in Hendrickson would signal a shift - a commitment to building a defense that can win games in January, not just keep up in September.
It’s a bold move. It’s an expensive move. But if the Cowboys want to truly contend, it might be the kind of move they have to make.