A key target discussed around Dallas is Vikings edge defender Jonathan Greenard. Greenard, under a four-year, $78 million contract with limited guarantees, is on the market due to his club’s reluctance to commit to a new deal. Trading for him would require not only draft capital but also cap space to accommodate his desired multi-year salary, complicating the Cowboys’ pursuit.
Greenard’s production offers a compelling upside: 12.5 sacks in 2023 with Houston and 12.0 sacks in 2024 for Minnesota, though a shoulder injury limited him to 3.0 sacks in 2025 after season-ending surgery. The trade calculus becomes tougher because Dallas would be asked to pay a significant salary and attach assets, a combination not yet realized in talks.
Analysts acknowledge Dallas’ edge-rush depth remains thin beyond Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Sam Williams. While Gary strengthens the pass rush, his impact is not a fearsome quarterback hunter, leaving the Cowboys vulnerable to a disruptive presente among their front seven. Greenard would change the dynamic by adding proven pass-rushing ability and versatility.
With the free-agent market largely exhausted, Dallas faces a critical decision point: whether to pursue a blockbuster trade for Greenard or continue to explore other internal options and one-year contributors. The coming weeks will reveal how aggressively the Cowboys will pursue a high-salary, long-term upgrade at edge rusher to enhance a defense that remains a work in progress.
