NFL Free Agency Live Tracker: Cowboys add multiple defensive players
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers during the game against the New York Giants on November 16, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS - The NFL offseason began in earnest today, with the legal tampering period allowing players to choose new teams in free agency. The Dallas Cowboys have made several moves themselves; keep up with our live blog on all the signings and trades the team makes.
3:30 p.m.: Cowboys sign free agent safety
What's New:
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys have signed free agency safety Jalen Thompson to a 3-year contract.
The deal is reportedly worth $33 million, with incentives potentially pushing the value to $36 million.
Thompson has nine career interceptions, with a career-high four in 2023. He previously played with the Arizona Cardinals, where he was coached by new Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith.
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 05: Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Image
9 a.m.: Cowboys trade for pass rusher
What we know:
The Cowboys have yet again traded a Day 3 NFL Draft selection for a player they hope can make an impact, this time on defense.
Early Monday morning, Dallas acquired former first-round pick Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, according to multiple reports. The Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick to the Packers to complete the deal.
By the numbers:
Gary posted 7.5 sacks last season, and has 46.5 in his career since Green Bay drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He's the second defensive player the Packers have sent to Dallas in the last year. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark was acquired by the Cowboys from Green Bay in the blockbuster trade involving Micah Parsons last fall.
Dig deeper:
It's the third consecutive fourth-round pick the Cowboys have sent away for an established pro. In 2023, the Cowboys sent their 2024 fourth-round pick to San Francisco for Trey Lance. The next year, they sent their 2025 fourth-rounder to Carolina for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo.
7 a.m.: Terence Steele restructures contract
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 21: Terence Steele #78 of the Dallas Cowboys runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty
Rumored as a candidate for release, the Cowboys have instead restructured the contract of offensive tackle Terence Steele to keep him in Dallas.
The reworked deal has a base value of $33 million, with $22 million in guaranteed money. This move creates about $13 million in cap space the Cowboys can use to sign or extend other players.
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The backstory:
The Cowboys have over a dozen players who are eligible to sign with other teams, in addition to franchise tagging George Pickens. Today's moves are only the beginning of what's sure to be a busy summer for the Cowboys.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and pro-football-reference.com.