Cowboys address big defensive need with richest free agent deal in a decade
The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with safety Jalen Thompson, according to a team source. The deal is worth up to $36 million in incentives. ESPN first reported the news.
The deal, if it matches the incentive structure, would be the richest external free agent deal ever signed by the franchise at $12 million per season. Previously, defensive end Greg Hardy’s $11.3 million deal for one year in 2015 was the richest deal made by the team.
Thompson was identified early on as a free agent target by the Cowboys and defensive coordinator Christian Parker. New secondary coach Ryan Smith coached Thompson with the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons, leading to a strong co-sign on the defensive staff to fill a hole on a depleted defense from 2025.
The team brings in Thompson with the expectation to play strong safety, but his versatility to play in the box and in the nickel corner spot will give the team freedom in free agency and in the draft to acquire some pieces around him.
A native of Downey, California, Thompson played three collegiate seasons at Washington State, where he combined for 191 tackles and six interceptions. He planned on returning for his senior season, but his final year of eligibility was stripped by the NCAA after a dispute over an over-the-counter medication that Thompson tested positive for. It was not reported as a steroid, but Thompson would have to declare for the NFL after the draft had already taken place.
He was placed into the rarely used supplemental draft, where he was selected in the fifth round by the Cardinals in 2019. In seven seasons in Arizona, Thompson tallied 578 tackles, 37 pass deflections and nine interceptions. His reliable production in one-on-one tackling serves as a big plus to a Cowboys defense that had issues with missed tackles all year last season.
Thompson joins defensive end Rashan Gary, who was acquired in a trade with Green Bay on Monday morning, in heading to the Cowboys, who have now added two starters to their defense on the first day of the legal tampering period.
The Cowboys acquired Gary for a 2027 fourth-round pick. In seven seasons, Gary has totaled 46.5 sacks, 46 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles since being drafted No. 12 overall in 2019.
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM.
