Derion Kendrick
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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick.
The Dallas Cowboys are going to try a lot of different things in 2026 when it comes to trying to make the NFL’s worst defense good enough to not torpedo another season.
Part of that process is going to be almost a complete overhaul to the starting lineup on that side of the ball and bringing in a lot of different players to try and create depth.
The Cowboys made another 1 of those moves on Tuesday by signing veteran free agent cornerback Derion Kendrick.
Kendrick spent the 1st part of 2025 with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks but finished the year with the Los Angeles Rams.
“CB Derion Kendrick is signing with the Cowboys on a 1-year deal, per his agent Matt Leist of LAA,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Tuesday.
Deion Kendrick Won 2 CFP National Championships
Kendrick, 6-foot and 190 pounds, earned playing time as a true freshman at Clemson in 2018 as the Tigers won the College Football Playoff National Championship.
He moved positions to cornerback for the next 2 seasons, where he earned All-ACC honors, but was eventually dismissed from the team by head coach Dabo Swinney in February 2021 after “repeated violations of team policy” and was arrested for marijuana possession and illegal gun possession in March 2021.
Kendrick transferred to Georgia for the 2021 season, where he led the Bulldogs with 4 interceptions and was named Orange Bowl MVP and an All-SEC selection on the way to leading Georgia to its first national championship in 40 years.
The Rams drafted Kendrick in the 6th round (No. 212 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft and he played his first 3 seasons there before splitting 2025 between the Seahawks and Rams.
Defense Continues to Hold Dallas Cowboys Back
According to Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, that defense is still the biggest thing holding the Cowboys back, and it’s up to 1st year defensive coordinator Christian Parker to try and fix it.
“Dallas has one of the more talented offenses in the game,” Verderame wrote. “CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are an elite combination, and Dak Prescott is always a top-10 quarterback. If the Cowboys can improve behind new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, they’re in business. That aforementioned defense is a rough group, and trading Osa Odighizuwa won’t help matters. While newcomers Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson are nice pieces, Parker will need to work some magic.”
Cowboys Add Defensive Starters in Trade, Signings
The Cowboys kicked off the free agency cycle with a high-profile trade for Green Bay Packers edge rusher and former 1st round pick Gary — a plug-and-play starter on defense.
On the surface, it appears the Cowboys added at least 2 more starters in free agency, with Thompson on a 3-year, $33 million contract and cornerback Cobie Durant on a 1-year, $5.5 milion contract.
“The Cowboys made their first splash free-agent agreement since adding cornerback Brandon Carr on a five-year, $50 million deal in 2012,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote. “Thompson fills a major need in the secondary for the Cowboys. He has been a full-time starter the past five seasons with Arizona and has nine career interceptions. He can fill multiple roles for new coordinator Christian Parker … The Cowboys need a communicator in the secondary, and Thompson can make sure everybody is on the same page. He is young — turning 28 in July — but has the experience to help a secondary grow.”