In a bold offseason maneuver that’s already sending shockwaves through the NFL, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reportedly closing in on a blockbuster signing that could reshape the NFC landscape. Sources indicate the Cowboys are on the brink of landing Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler and proven sack artist whose addition would instantly elevate Dallas’ beleaguered defense. If this deal goes through, the rest of the league better take notice—the Cowboys are gearing up for a ferocious comeback.
The 2025-26 season was a nightmare for the Cowboys’ defense, marking the second straight year without a playoff berth. Dallas finished dead last in scoring defense and passing defense, allowing a franchise-record number of points. Injuries ravaged the secondary, but the pass rush was equally inconsistent, especially after trading away All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons just before the season kicked off. Without a true replacement, the Cowboys managed only 31 sacks—the ninth-worst mark in the league—and went sackless in their final two games. Upgrading the defensive front isn’t just a priority; it’s an absolute necessity if Dallas wants to reclaim its spot among the NFC elite.
Enter Trey Hendrickson, the 31-year-old pass-rushing dynamo who’s fresh off a one-year deal with the Bengals amid a contract dispute. Despite a injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to just seven games—where he notched 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection—Hendrickson’s track record speaks volumes. From 2020 to 2024, he racked up 13.5 or more sacks in four out of five seasons, including back-to-back 17.5-sack explosions in 2023 and 2024. He earned first-team All-Pro honors last season and was a Pro Bowl staple from 2021 to 2024.
Hendrickson’s 2025 stats may look pedestrian on paper, but dig deeper: Even in a “down” year, he posted an elite 86.4 score on Pro Football & Sports Network’s (PFSN) NFL EDGE Impact metrics, ranking 12th league-wide. That’s the kind of consistent pressure that turns games around. A third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Hendrickson spent four years there before thriving in Cincinnati, where he became a cornerstone of their defense.
According to PFSN’s Ryan Guthrie, the Cowboys are the perfect landing spot for Hendrickson. “Dallas already added Quinnen Williams, but balance is still needed,” Guthrie noted. “Instead of paying top dollar for a receiver, they invest in pass rush. Hendrickson made four straight Pro Bowls in Cincinnati and recorded 17+ sacks in back-to-back seasons earlier in his career.” This move would pair Hendrickson with Williams on the interior, creating a formidable front. Add in promising second-year edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and the potential return of Jadeveon Clowney—who exploded for a career-high performance in the season finale—and suddenly, the Cowboys’ defense looks downright scary.
Jerry Jones has never shied away from splashy moves, and this one fits his playbook perfectly. With Hendrickson anticipated to command a hefty contract in free agency, Dallas is positioning itself to outbid competitors and lock in a veteran leader who can mentor younger talent while delivering immediate impact. The NFC East, already a brutal division, would feel the heat—imagine Hendrickson terrorizing quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts or whoever lines up under center for the Giants and Commanders.
Cowboys fans, reeling from two playoff-less seasons, have reason to get excited. This signing wouldn’t just patch a hole; it could stun the entire NFC and put the league on high alert. Dallas is building a defense capable of dominating, and if Hendrickson dons the star on his helmet, the road to Super Bowl contention just got a whole lot clearer. Stay tuned—Jerry Jones is making his move, and the NFL world is watching.
