Cowboys free agency tracker: Dallas adds another veteran cornerback on Tuesday
(LAST UPDATED: 2:46 p.m. Tuesday)
Happy free agency, Cowboys fans.
The opening of the new league year on March 11 signals the single busiest period of the calendar year when it comes to roster construction and turnover. And for Dallas, it will be no different.
On the hunt for multiple impact starters on the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have signaled throughout the offseason that they will be more of a player in the open market than they have been in years past to fix a defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed in 2025.
Considering they have spent the least amount of money of any team in the NFL on external free agents since 2020, that could end up not meaning much at the end of the day.
As the madness ensues, make this your one-stop shop for any and all Cowboys-related free agency news in the coming days and weeks.
External signings
DE Rashan Gary, S Jalen Thompson, S P.J. Locke, DT Otito Ogbonnia, QB Sam Howell, OLB Tyrus Wheat, OL Matt Hennessy, CB Cobie Durant, CB Derion Kendrick
Late last Thursday night, the Cowboys agreed to terms with cornerback Cobie Durant on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million. Durant has started in 29 games over the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and provides much-needed reliability to a cornerback room with multiple players trying to get back to full health. His six interceptions in the regular season and playoffs last season were as many as the Cowboys had all year.
Also on Thursday, the Cowboys added veteran help to their offensive line by signing center/guard Matt Hennessy to a one-year deal. He played in all 17 games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 and started in two contests. Across his five-year career, he has started in 22 games including all 17 in 2021 for the Atlanta Falcons at the center position.
The new Cowboys defensive staff quickly identified safety Jalen Thompson as an impending free agent shortly after being hired, and he becomes the first external signing on day one of the legal tampering period. He has agreed to a deal worth up to $36 million over three years.
On March 9, the Cowboys finalized a deal to acquire defensive end Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. It’s the first of what is expected to be multiple impact signings in the edge group.
On March 10, the team agreed to terms with safety P.J. Locke on a one-year, $5 million deal. A graduate of Texas, Locke spent three seasons with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker while with the Denver Broncos. He brings special teams experience and starting experience at the strong safety spot, making Thompson even more of an interchangeable piece.
As a depth piece at defensive tackle, the team is bringing in Otito Ogbonnia on a one-year, $3 million deal. A graduate of UCLA, he is the third defensive tackle on the roster from the Bruins program, joining Kenny Clark and Jay Toia.
Adding competition to the quarterback room behind Dak Prescott, the Cowboys signed former Commanders starter Sam Howell to a one-year deal. He will compete with Joe Milton to be Prescott’s backup in 2026.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys signed cornerback Derion Kendrick to a one-year deal. After two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Kendrick was waived at the end of training camp in 2025 and was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. He played in 10 games for the Super Bowl champions before being waived again in November. He signed back with the Rams where he played in five more games down the stretch. He is expected to be a bubble player this offseason who will fight for a spot on the 53-man roster.
This list will be updated when the Cowboys make external additions in either free agency or the trade market.
Internal signings
RB Javonte Williams, G T.J. Bass, DE Sam Williams, CB Josh Butler, CB Reddy Steward, TE Princeton Fant, CB Corey Ballentine
On Tuesday afternoon, guard T.J. Bass signed his second-round restricted free agency tender worth $5.658 million for one season. He provides reliable depth at both guard and center for 2026. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2023, he has started 10 games and played in 48 for the Cowboys.
Ahead of free agency opening, the Cowboys struck a deal with running back Javonte Williams on a three-year, $24 million deal to keep him in Dallas. In a one-year “prove-it” situation in 2025, Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and nine touchdowns on his way to securing long-term status with the team.
After striking out at the top of the edge rusher market in the beginning of free agency, the Cowboys brought back 2022 second-round pick Sam Williams on a one-year, $3 million deal. Hopes were high for Williams coming off a torn ACL last season, but he never found consistent production. He will fight for a rotational role on the defensive side of the ball.
The two exclusive rights free agents, cornerbacks Josh Butler and Reddy Steward, were brought back ahead of free agency. Steward was tendered and Butler agreed to a one-year contract. Neither will hit the open market and both will be back in 2026.
The Cowboys re-signed tight end Princeton Fant to a one-year deal on March 13. Mostly a practice squad player in three seasons, he has played in 10 games across his career.
Bouncing between the practice squad and the active list before being signed to the active roster by the end of the 2025 season, cornerback Corey Ballentine signed a one-year deal to return to Dallas.
This list will be updated if/when the Cowboys retain internal free agents.
Internal unrestricted free agents
LB Kenneth Murray Jr., S Donovan Wilson, DE Dante Fowler Jr., LB Logan Wilson, DE Jadeveon Clowney, RB Miles Sanders, CB C.J. Goodwin, OT Hakeem Adeniji, DT Perrion Winfrey, QB Will Grier
The Dallas Cowboys released veteran linebacker Logan Wilson as a cap-saving move on Feb. 20. He announced his retirement from the NFL on March 18. Days before free agency, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was also released. The team also released quarterback Will Grier after signing Sam Howell.
Internal restricted free agents
K Brandon Aubrey (2nd-round tender)
Restricted free agency offers some intrigue with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. After failing to come to an agreement on a long-term contract ahead of free agency, kicker Brandon Aubrey was given a second-round tender by the team on Saturday. If another team offers Aubrey a long-term contract, the Cowboys have the right to match. If they choose not to match, the other team can sign Aubrey and will owe Dallas a second-round pick. If no team bites, the Cowboys will be on the hook for a one-year, $5.8 million contract.
Departed players
DT Osa Odighizuwa, DT Solomon Thomas, WR Jalen Tolbert, S Juanyeh Thomas, LB Jack Sanborn, DE Payton Turner, OL Brock Hoffman, OL Rob Jones
On March 11, the Cowboys traded two defensive tackles within the span of a half-hour. Osa Odighizuwa was sent to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall), and Solomon Thomas was sent to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick swap (resulting in Dallas moving up from No. 225 overall to No. 218 overall). The two moves save Dallas $7.22 million toward the cap in 2026.
It took four full days, but the first internal free agent to sign elsewhere was finalized, as wide receiver Jalen Tolbert will head to the Miami Dolphins. He entered the 2025 season as the No. 3 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but he was quickly overtaken by Ryan Flournoy and was a healthy scratch for four games. Shortly after, safety Juanyeh Thomas signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
After a failed one-year stint in Dallas for linebacker Jack Sanborn, he returned to the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal.
After spending his only season with the Cowboys on injured reserve, defensive end Payton Turner signed with the Detroit Lions.
The Cowboys lost two depth interior linemen earlier this week, as Brock Hoffman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rob Jones signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Both are expected to have better opportunities at winning a starting job than they would have in Dallas.
This list will be updated when Cowboys free agents agree to deals elsewhere.
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 8:55 AM.
