Things are going down in the edge rusher market ahead of next week’s start of the NFL free agency frenzy. And at the center of it are the Dallas Cowboys and the blurry future of Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

But with recent offers coming in for Crosby, it sounds like the Cowboys are now looking elsewhere. Let’s break it down.

Cowboys pivoting to Trey Hendrickson?

According to NFL insider Trey Wingo, who initially reporte the Cowboys’ interest in Crosby last year, “Dallas thought they were close to a deal” for the Raiders star on Thursday night.

However, with other teams upping Crosby’s price tag, he expects the Cowboys to pivot to Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, who is set to become a free agent next week.

“Since then other teams have raised the ante and potentially are offering the Raiders [two first-round picks],” Wingo added. “Expect Dallas to now shift their focus to Trey Hendrickson.”

Going after Hendrickson is obviously less expensive. Not only is his contract value expected to be under Crosby’s, but the Cowboys wouldn’t have to give up draft capital to secure his services. But while Hendrickson is more accessible, would Dallas be getting an elite pass rusher in him?

Who is Trey Hendrickson in 2026?

However, with Hendrickson at 31 years old and fresh off of a season in which he missed ten games with a back/hip injury (which led to a December muscle surgery), it’s fair to wonder what caliber of player would they be getting in him.

In 2024, Hendrickson was a first-team All-Pro with a league-leading 17.5 sacks to go with 19 tackles for loss. In 2025, his sack production was down to four (in seven games played). Can the Cowboys bet on him bouncing back?

I reached out to our own Cincinnati Bengals expert, John Sheeran, for his insight. Cowboys fans will love to hear what he had to say.

“There isn’t a better pass rusher set to hit the market than Hendrickson,” Sheeran says. “The four-time Pro Bowler and 2024 sack king has only gotten better as he’s aged, and outside of his sports hernia injury from the middle of last season, he’s been incredibly durable.”

“Before his injury last year, he was still winning as a pass rusher more than any other EDGE aside from Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa. That’s no small feat. Cincinnati is letting him walk because he wants guaranteed money beyond the first year of a new multi-year contract, and he may only find that on the open market.

“Despite him turning 32 in December, he’s still good enough to make any defensive line better, and a clear player for opposing offenses to scheme around when dropping back to pass.”

Sheeran’s words are more than encouraging.

Age may be a concern for the Cowboys, but if this is a “bust the budget” kind of offseason, it is so only because Dallas knows it can win now. As long as Hendrickson can stay healthy and play elite football, that’s all that should matter.

Hendrickson contract projections

Hendrickson is projected to sign a one-year deal worth $21 million by Pro Football Focus, but as Sheeran notes, he might need more than one year’s worth of guaranteed money. And with a long line of suitors, the Cowboys better be prepared to offer it.

Spotrac calculates his market value at a two-year deal worth $50.9 million.

If the Cowboys indeed move on from Crosby due to the draft capital bidding war, they should be prepared to enter a cash bidding war for Hendrickson.

But right now, the expectations are set. Cowboys Nation wants an elite edge rusher, and now that one is being teased, the front office is under pressure.

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