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Cowboys 2026 NFL free agency: Tracking every rumor and report

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: A detail view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet on the field during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Free agency season is here. The NFL never sleeps and this week will dominate the world of sports as players move through free agency. Some will return to their teams, others will find new homes, and plenty of chaos will likely unfold in between all of that.

While free agency officially begins on March 11th at 4 pm ET, teams can begin negotiating with players on March 9th at 12 pm ET. News can and will come throughout the entire week and beyond.

This post will serve as our tracker for all things concerning the Dallas Cowboys. It will be updated constantly and will house all signings, departures, rumors, and all relevant information.

Last Updated: Tuesday, March 10th at 10:30pm ET

Dallas Cowboys Free Agent Signings

  • The Cowboys traded a 2027 Day 3 pick for Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary. It was reported to be a fourth-round pick in 2027 specifically.
  • The Cowboys agreed to terms with safety Jalen Thompson on Monday. It is reportedly a 3-year deal worth up to $36M.
  • It was reported late Monday night that pass rusher Sam Williams is returning to the Cowboys. It is reportedly a 1-year, $3M deal.
  • The Cowboys landed safety PJ Locke on Tuesday afternoon. It is reportedly a 1-year, $5M deal.
  • Dallas is signing former Chargers nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia to a 1-year, $3M deal.
  • The Cowboys are signing quarterback Sam Howell to a 1-year deal.

Dallas Cowboys Rumors And News

  • The Cowboys restructured Terence Steele’s deal. As a result there is now $22M in fully guaranteed money. It creates ~$13M in salary cap space per reports.
  • There is chatter online that the Cowboys are going to be in on Trey Hendrickson.
  • The Cowboys also restructured Malik Hooker’s deal.
  • Jane Slater mentioned Jalen Thompson and Nakobe Dean as names to watch the Cowboys for. (Update: Thompson was agreed to terms with… and Nakobe Dean is joining the Raiders)
  • Todd Archer noted that the Cowboys have been in contact with Jalen Thompson.
  • Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson seemed to predict that Trey Hendrickson will wind up on the Cowboys, but it is hard to know how serious that is.
  • Todd Archer reported that Dallas was in the mix for Quay Walker along with Nakobe Dean, but they both wound up with the Raiders.
  • Jane Slater mentioned Fred Warner and Patrick Queen in a conversational way on social media, but it is important to note that they are under contract with their teams and would have to be traded for.
  • Jane Slater noted on Tuesday morning that the Patrick Queen situation may have hit a “snag.”
  • Jane Slater mentioned a variety of things on Tuesday around lunchtime:
    • Tariq Woolen is a name to watch
    • The Nakobe Dean situation was one where he chose comfort/familiarity
    • They won’t reach on a position of need like with a trade for Patrick Queen
    • Trey Hendrickson is still possible in a technical sense
  • The Cowboys restructured Kenny Clark’s contract and created almost $9M in salary cap space.
  • It was reported by CBS’ Jonathan Jones that Dallas could look to trade Osa Odighizuwa.
  • It was initially reported that Dallas would be back in on the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, but it was later reported that they won’t be. We will see there.

Dallas Cowboys Free Agents And Results

  • George Pickens (given the franchise tag at a value of $27.3M for 2026)
  • Javonte Williams (signed a 3-year, $24M contract with the Cowboys)
  • Jadeveon Clowney
  • Sam Williams (returning to the team)
  • Corey Ballentine
  • Hakeem Adeniji
  • C.J. Goodwin
  • Jalen Tolbert
  • Miles Sanders
  • Jack Sanborn
  • Payton Turner
  • Robert Jones
  • Dante Fowler Jr.
  • Donovan Wilson
  • Kenneth Murray
  • Brock Hoffman [RFA] (not tendered)… headed to Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Juanyeh Thomas [RFA] (not tendered)
  • Brandon Aubrey [RFA] (tendered at the second-round level)
  • T.J. Bass [RFA] (tendered at the second-round level)
  • Josh Butler [ERFA] (tendered)
    • Todd Archer reported on Monday afternoon that Butler actually signed a “separate” deal that was equal to the ERFA number. He noted the difference is that his contract has an injury split in it where it wouldn’t have if he was tendered so the Cowboys now have a bit of injury protection.
  • Reddy Steward [ERFA] (tendered)

Further Reading