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P.J. Locke #6 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have been much more quiet than fans expected to begin the 2026 NFL offseason.
Ahead of the opening of the NFL free agency legal tampering window, the Cowboys did make a big move by acquiring pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Gary could be a major difference maker in 2026.
In free agency, Dallas did make a nice move in the secondary. The team was able to sign former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal worth a maximum amount of $33 million.
With that being said, the Cowboys have doubled down on the safety position.
According to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Dallas has agreed to a one-year, $5 million with sleeper free agent safety P.J. Locke. He has spent his six NFL seasons all with the Denver Broncos.
“Broncos FA S PJ Locke is signing with the Cowboys on a 1-year deal worth $5M, source says. Another safety added in Dallas,” Rapoport wrote on X.
What Are the Dallas Cowboys Getting in P.J. Locke?
Locke did not have a big role with the Broncos during the 2025 season. He played in all 16 games, racking up just 16 tackles and three defended passes.
However, back in 2024, he was a starter for Denver. He totaled 74 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two defended passes in 15 games. He racked up 53 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and five defended passes in 2023.
Exactly what kind of role Locke will carve out for himself with the Cowboys remains to be seen. He could simply end up being quality depth for the defensive backfield.
It was clear last season that Dallas needed to address the secondary. The Cowboys had major problems in 2025, but the additions of Thompson and Locke should shore up the safety position group.
There are now more moves that need to be made for Dallas to be a true Super Bowl contender.
The Cowboys Must Remain Aggressive This Offseason
Even after the trade to acquire Gary, the Cowboys could use more pass rushing help. Trey Hendrickson is a bit of a long-shot after the trade to acquire Gary, but he would move the Super Bowl needle in a big way.
Dallas will also need to address the cornerback position. Many of the top names available in free agency have already been signed, but the Cowboys should still look to make a move there.
Offensively, Jones and company still need to figure out the future of star wide receiver George Pickens. He had the franchise tag placed on him, but there have been rumblings about a potential holdout.
It will be interesting to see what the rest of the offseason has in store for Dallas. Locke is a quality move, but fans are hoping that bigger moves are coming.
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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