The Dallas Cowboys’ defense allowed more points than any other team in the NFL in 2025, a glaring weakness that has Jerry Jones and the front office scrambling to fortify the unit ahead of the 2026 season. While splashy names like Maxx Crosby dominated early offseason rumors, those pursuits have cooled, leaving room for smarter, more cost-effective additions. Enter Cameron Jordan, the longtime New Orleans Saints star who is hitting free agency for the first time in his 15-year career — and CBS Sports has pegged the Cowboys as one of the most logical destinations.
In their March 17, 2026, analysis titled “Cameron Jordan landing spots: Cowboys, Bears among logical destinations if Saints balk on reunion,” Shanna McCarriston and Carter Bahns highlighted why Dallas makes perfect sense. “While Jerry Jones said he is prepared to spend more this offseason, he missed out on the top edge rushers in the free agency class,” they wrote. “Jordan can deliver a necessary production boost at a fraction of the cost, giving Jones the ability also to address other positions on a defense that allowed more points than any other team in 2025. The Cowboys will add edge rushers with four of their own hitting the market, so why not bring in a reliable veteran who can help this unit improve right away?”
Jordan’s 2025 campaign with the Saints was a reminder of his enduring elite-level play. The eight-time Pro Bowler posted 10.5 sacks — his highest total since 2021 — along with 47 combined tackles, 15 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He started all 17 games for the third straight season, showing no signs of the durability issues that often plague players entering their late 30s. Approaching his 37th birthday, Jordan remains a disruptive force capable of collapsing pockets and setting the edge.
His most recent contract was a two-year, $27.9 million extension signed in 2023, but Spotrac now projects his market value at a modest one-year, $6.7 million deal — a bargain for the production he brings. For a Cowboys team that has already made moves to bolster the defense, including trading for Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary, adding Jordan would provide immediate veteran leadership and pass-rush juice without breaking the bank.
Dallas has been heavily linked to Crosby in recent weeks, with reports indicating the team offered a first- and second-round pick plus salary relief before the potential trade to Baltimore fell through due to medical concerns. Insider Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reported on March 16 that the Cowboys are now “out” on Crosby, shifting focus away from another big swing and toward draft options or value free agents like Jordan. “It seems the Cowboys are out of the Maxx Crosby picture,” Watkins wrote. “The team offered two draft picks — a first- and second-rounder — and was willing to take on a bulk of his salary and deal with his knee issues. Now that the Crosby trade with Baltimore fell through, going back at Crosby isn’t in the plans at this stage. Trading for Rashan Gary and focusing on finding another pass rusher in the NFL draft is where the Cowboys sit right now.”
That pivot opens the door wide for Jordan. His versatility as a defensive end who can rush from the edge or slide inside in certain packages would complement the additions Dallas has already made. While rookies from the upcoming draft carry uncertainty, Jordan arrives with a proven track record: consistent double-digit sacks in his prime, ironman durability (missing just two games in his career), and the kind of football IQ that elevates an entire defensive line.
The NFC East is no stranger to high-powered offenses, but a revamped Cowboys pass rush featuring Jordan’s veteran savvy could flip the script. At a projected $6.7 million tag for one year — far below the $27 million AAV of his last deal extension — this move would be the steal the defense needs to transform from league-worst to legitimate contender.
Free agency is drying up fast, but bargains like Jordan don’t come around often. If Jerry Jones wants to make a statement without mortgaging the future, signing the 8-time Pro Bowler could be the nightmare-inducing addition that puts fear back into opposing quarterbacks across the division. Watch out, NFC East — a defensive resurgence in Dallas might just be getting started.
