After the Dallas Cowboys moved on from Micah Parsons over the offseason, everyone knew there would be some growing pains on defense.
The 2025 season opened with opponents regularly escaping the pocket, and for a couple of weeks, it felt like the Cowboys were playing catch-up while their rivals teed off on Dak Prescott’s offense.
All of that noise quieted a bit when offseason pickup James Houston started making plays.
Houston, a journeyman edge rusher who barely made it out of training camp, has collected three-and-a-half sacks already and has helped Dallas climb back toward respectability.
He’s even outpacing Parsons’ sack total in Green Bay, and that’s the kind of twist nobody predicted when the blockbuster trade went down.
Why Trey Hendrickson Makes Sense
One of the names circling the Cowboys’ rumor mill is Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson led the league with seventeen-and-a-half sacks last season and has piled up 35 sacks over the past two years, a level of production that only a handful of defenders can match.
He’s 30 years old, still in his prime, and he just came off a brief offseason holdout as he pushed for a reworked contract.
The Bengals reworked his deal but didn’t extend it, and with quarterback Joe Burrow nursing another injury, Cincinnati could be tempted to cash in on a valuable piece.
Around the league, you can feel the appetite for competition growing, and fans are looking for more ways to immerse themselves in the happenings.
Plus, with a safe bet like Hendrickson, it’s no wonder sports betting is on the rise.
Alongside that trend, people have also been jumping into esports betting as top-ranking esports sites typically cover Madden leagues, offering punters competitive odds and generous bonuses, so when NFL games aren’t available to bet on, they can still feel like they’re part of the action.
Fandom aside, reports have suggested that Cincinnati initially asked for a 2026 first‑round pick plus a young defender, but most analysts believe a conditional second‑rounder might be enough if the Bengals slip out of contention.
Dallas has two first‑round picks in hand after shipping Parsons to Green Bay, so meeting that price would not cripple the team’s draft plans, yet it would still sting less than watching another contender add a premier pass rusher.
Trey Hendrickson is under contract through 2025, with the Bengals able to tag him in 2026.
His cap hit stays manageable, making him a smart, high-impact target for a team focused on value and playoff potential.
Locker Room Buzz
Inside the locker room, the mood is mixed but focused.
Veterans like DeMarcus Lawrence and Stephon Gilmore have reportedly encouraged upcoming players to stay ready for changes because that’s the reality of the NFL.
Houston has been quiet about the trade rumors, but teammates say he’s been practicing harder than ever, maybe to remind everyone that he’s earned his spot.
Coaches keep preaching competition, noting that any player who arrives will have to earn snaps.
Trade Market Watch
The Cowboys aren’t the only team circling Hendrickson’s name.
The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers have been mentioned as possible suitors, both needing help off the edge after mid-season injuries.
If the Bengals slide further in the standings, general managers across the league will start dialing Cincinnati’s front office.
What makes Dallas stand out is its flexibility.
They’ve got extra picks and cap room from the Parsons move. Still, it’s a waiting game.
Nobody wants to overpay in early October, but once the deadline hits, desperation has a way of raising the price tag.
Fan Pulse & Media Noise
Cowboys fans don’t exactly do quiet, and the chatter online has been nonstop.
Local radio shows and podcasts are split between those begging Jerry Jones to pull the trigger and others warning that one trade won’t fix every defensive flaw.
On social media, clips of Hendrickson’s spin move are getting more views than some highlight reels.
Timing is Everything
Timing is everything in the NFL. The trade deadline sits at the end of October, and Dallas has a manageable run of games leading up to it.
Match-ups against the Panthers, Commanders and Broncos provide an opportunity to stack wins and build momentum, but they also serve as a litmus test.
If the Cowboys rattle off a winning streak and find themselves squarely in the playoff picture, it will be hard for Jones to sit idle.
Conversely, a couple of stumbles could cause the front office to hold onto draft picks and ride out the season with what they have.
Fans remember how the team’s offseason gamble on George Pickens paid off, and there’s a belief that a similarly bold move on defense could have a comparable impact.
As October rolls on and the Cowboys continue to fight for position in the NFC East, the calls for reinforcements will only get louder.
Whether or not Hendrickson ends up with a star on his helmet, the fact that Dallas is even in the conversation speaks to how close this team believes it is.
