The Dallas Cowboys addressed their secondary on the first day of the league’s legal tampering period with safety Jalen Thompson.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported first the Cowboys will sign the veteran safety to a 3-year contract. Rapoport wrote on X the deal will be worth a “max” of $36 million.
He gets a 3-year, $36M max deal done by Don Weatherell and Martin Fischman of @KlutchSports.
ESPN’s Todd Archer also reported Thompson’s deal with the Cowboys as a 3-year contract. He summarized the acquisition as “fills major need.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the contract as worth $33 million.
Thompson’s contract is an agreement in principle. During the league’s legal tampering period, only the representation of unrestricted free agents can negotiate with other teams. The deals they agreed to cannot be officially signed until the new league year begins.
That happens at 4 pm ET on Wednesday.
Thompson will bring seven years of NFL experience to a Cowboys secondary that finished last in passing yards allowed during 2025.
Dallas was 30th in yards yielded and last in points allowed as well. The Cowboys were close to the bottom of the league in most pass defense statistical categories.
Cowboys Sign Safety Jalen Thompson: Report
Thompson spent the first seven years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Last season, he had 95 combined tackles and six pass defenses.
The 27-year-old hasn’t had an interception in three years. But he still makes an impact in coverage.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper rated Thompson the No. 52 overall free agent for the 2026 NFL offseason. Popper also ranked Thompson the fifth-best safety on the open market.
“Thompson is a rangy free safety with some man coverage ability against running backs, tight ends and receivers,” Popper wrote. He has the eyes and burst to bait quarterbacks into throws and make plays on the ball.
“He has not had an interception since 2023, and you would love more recent ball production out of a true centerfield safety. But he is capable of impacting the game in this way. He had eight interceptions from 2021 to ‘23.”
The Cowboys landed Thompson for considerably less than what Popper predicted the safety’s free agency worth would be. The Athletic’s analyst projected the safety to sign a 4-year, $61 million contract this March.
Cowboys Aiming to Fix Defense During 2026 NFL Free Agency
Dallas will have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Cowboys spent both on defense.
So there will be significant opportunities even after free agency for the Cowboys to address their defense. NFL insider Jane Slater said on NFL Network on Monday afternoon the Cowboys will likely address edge rusher in the draft.
Before signing Thompson, Dallas also traded for defensive end Rashan Gary. The Cowboys only gave up a late-round 2027 draft pick in exchange.
Both Thompson and Gary give the Cowboys defense and first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker more veteran talent.
In addition to his skills, Slate said the Cowboys were drawn to Thompson for his familiar with first-year cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith. The past three years, Smith coached cornerbacks for the Cardinals.
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2021, Thompson has averaged 100 combined tackles, about six pass defenses and nearly two interceptions per season. Over the past four years, he’s never missed more than two games in a campaign.
Cowboys Fill ‘Major Need’ With $36 Million Free Agent: Report