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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are going to be a team to keep a close eye on heading into the upcoming 2026 NFL offseason.
After yet another season of disappointment that saw the Cowboys miss the playoffs with a 7-9-1 record, they could be very aggressive. They have an extra first round pick from the Micah Parsons trade with the Green Bay Packers and also have some money to spend.
With that being said, the defensive side of the football will be a point of emphasis for Dallas. It was clear throughout the 2025 season that the Cowboys needed help in both the pass rush and defensive backfield. There are some players available this offseason who could help them fix those problems.
Keeping that in mind, Dallas has been connected as a potential suitor to make a $24 million splash move in NFL free agency.
Dallas Cowboys Linked to Potential $24 Million Splash Addition
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox took a look at the upcoming NFL free agency market. When it came to Seattle Seahawks impending free agent cornerback Riq Woolen, he named the Cowboys among his top suitors.
In addition, Knox suggested the Cincinnati Bengals as a possible destination as well.
“While consistency isn’t Woolen’s strongest suit, he’s a quality starter overall,” Knox wrote. “With a 6’4″ frame and proven ball skills, he’ll appeal to teams that can tolerate the occasional lapse for a high ceiling.”
Woolen is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks. He was a topic of trade rumors before the 2025 NFL deadline, but Seattle chose to keep him on the roster.
Throughout the course of the year, the 26-year-old cornerback played in 16 games. He racked up 41 total tackles to go along with an interception and 12 defended passes.
In his entire 64-game NFL career, Woolen has recorded 203 total tackles, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 53 defended passes.
Riq Woolen Is Exactly What the Cowboys Need in Free Agency
Adding an established starting cornerback will be at the top of the list for Dallas this offseason. Woolen has already proven himself to be capable of handling that type of role.
Right off the bat, Woolen could step in and be the Cowboys’ No. 1 cornerback. He’s capable of good coverage and has the ability to make plays on the football. Bringing him onboard would help the Dallas defense take an instant leap in the right direction.
Knox has also suggested a potential price tag for Woolen. He’s expecting the defensive back to land a contract worth around $24 million over three seasons.
If that is indeed the price tag for Woolen, the Cowboys should pounce on the opportunity to pursue him immediately when free agency opens up.
Expect to hear plenty of rumors surrounding the Dallas franchise this offseason. Jones has work to do to get the Cowboys back into Super Bowl contention. Woolen could be a part of that plan.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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