Free agency is alive and well, with Monopoly money being thrown around all over the place like it’s candy.
The New York Giants alone agreed to terms with seven players, spending over $128 million. They even continued their spending spree by bringing in cornerback Greg Newsome II early Tuesday morning to fill the Cor’Dale Flott-sized void in the secondary. But just because the G-Men are signing everyone and their step-daughter’s cousin’s dog doesn’t mean everyone else is.
Take the Dallas Cowboys, for example. Sure, they made some moves. They traded for Packers pass-rusher Rashan Gary early and then followed that up by agreeing to terms with former Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson and their own free agent, defensive end Sam Williams. Other than that, it was a quiet day — things not usually said in the same sentence. Typically they’re the loudest and most obnoxious teams of the bunch, but they were quiet. And now Big Blue Nation knows why.
The Cowboys have long been rumored to be involved in the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes, but after recent reports, reality is starting to set in that the pipe dream is turning into a nightmare. The Landry Hat’s Jerry Trotta took the conductor role on the how-to-cope train, all but losing hope that America's Team is going to sign the prized free agent:
"Hendrickson is finally a free agent after several frustrating seasons in Cincinnati. He and his camp will milk the market for all it’s worth to secure the best possible offer. Given the injury concerns, the Cowboys likely aren’t comfortable competing for him.
With a lot of the best edge rushers off the board, Dallas may have to dabble in the second and third tiers of free agency or look to the NFL Draft next month."
Giants fans are watching the Cowboys’ Trey Hendrickson dream slowly fall apart
While it's always a good time poking fun at the Cowboys and their fans, the reality is paying top dollar for a guy coming off an injury-ridden 2025 season isn't good business. But ignoring the problem entirely and fooling themselves into thinking a Wave 3 free agent is going to make up the difference is hysterical.
This is a team with a clear need for a star pass-rusher, which is something they haven't had in a very long time. Like... forever ago. Almost like a year ago.
It almost makes you wonder what life would be like if they had a pass-rusher of, say, Micah Parsons’ caliber. Had they had a player like him, there wouldn’t have even been a need -- and subsequent disappointment -- to try to sign a 31-year-old injured pass-rusher for $30 million annually.
Oh wait! Shoot. That’s my bad. I totally forgot they did have a player like Parsons, who they let walk... to the Seattle Seahawks -- DeMarcus Lawrence was his name, I think. Ugh. Hold on one more time. That’s crazy. Silly me. I did it again. They actually did have Micah Parsons before they sent him to the Green Bay Packers for two first-rounders and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. I knew I'd find it.
Regardless, the Cowboys are left staring at a pass-rush problem with fewer and fewer solutions on the board. They could still end up signing Hendrickson, which will have this age like milk. But for now, Giants fans can sit back and enjoy the Cowboys' coping.