Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman likes some of the ways the NFL has made the game safer than it was when he was playing. But he thinks one rule change designed to reduce wear and tear on players’ bodies may actually cause some injuries.
Aikman, the color commentator for Monday Night Football who has also served as an advisor to the Dolphins, said on the Rodeo Time Podcast that when he was playing, training camp was much more physically demanding than it is now.
“Wichita Falls is the hottest place on earth,” Aikman said of the Cowboys’ training camp location at the end of his career. “Back then you did two-a-days in that kind of heat, day after day after day, two practices a day in full pads. Now the restrictions, probably for the better, players aren’t as taxed as they were.”
But Aikman added that there’s a tradeoff: Players aren’t as physically prepared at the start of the season.
“I think they only wear pads one day a week or one time a day, and they have a walk-through, and then after, I don’t know how it all reads, but it’s pretty player-friendly and favorable,” Aikman said. “And a lot of it, whenever they negotiate the CBA, the owners tend to always win on the financial side of things. And then the players say, ‘Well, all right, then we’re not gonna practice as long, or we’re not gonna practice as often.’ So, then they tend to get concessions when it comes to how much time they’re actually at facilities. I think the only ones who don’t have a voice in those negotiations are the coaches. They kind of have to wait till the dust settles and say, ‘All right, just how often do we get them?’ But some of it is that we see too is a lot of the reasons I think that we see so many injuries, especially early in the year. A lot of soft tissue injuries, a lot of muscle pulls, and things of that nature is the players, they’re just not able to train the way that we once did, they’re not able to callous their bodies as easily. Not that they’re not training hard and all that, but it’s different training on your own as opposed to being on the football field practicing football movements.”
Aikman made clear that he’s not opposed to changing rules to promote safety, but he does think those rules can go too far.
“Player safety is great. As a former quarterback, I do like that they protect quarterbacks,” Aikman said. “With that said, the objective for a defense is to hit the quarterback and affect the quarterback and sometimes I think we’re asking a lot from these defensive players, to try to navigate 300-pound offensive linemen and then not graze the helmet of the quarterback.”
And it’s asking a lot of players not to really go full-contact until Week One.
Cowboys Clips
The Dolphins are signing wide receiver Jalen Tolbert to a one-year deal, according to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report.
Tolbert, 27, spent his first four seasons with the Cowboys after they made him a third-round pick in 2022.
He has made 91 catches for 1,093 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.
Tolbert has seen action on 1,922 offensive snaps and 381 on special teams.
In 2025, he caught 18 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown after the Cowboys brought in George Pickens as their No. 2 wide receiver.
Tolbert played with new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
The Colts are signing free agent safety Juanyeh Thomas, according to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report.
The Colts lost safeties Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II in free agency this week. They added Thomas and Jonathan Owens, who will compete for playing time.
Thomas, 25, spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys.
He signed as an undrafted free agent and was on the practice squad and the active roster during his time in Dallas. He played 550 defensive snaps and 706 on special teams in 36 games.
Thomas has totaled 62 tackles, five pass breakups and one forced fumble.
The Cowboys have focused on improving their defense for most of this week, but they’ve also moved to bolster their offensive line.
Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports that they have agreed to terms with Matt Hennessy.
Hennessy entered the league as a 2020 third-round pick of the Falcons and was signed off of their practice squad by the 49ers in 2024. He appeared in every game for the NFC West team last season and made a pair of starts during the regular season.
The Cowboys have their starting offensive line from 2025 returning in 2026, so Hennessy will likely be among the top reserve options in Dallas.
The Cowboys hope to have a better defense in 2026 and they have added another piece they hope helps them accomplish that goal.
Agent Malki Kawa told Adam Schefter of ESPN that cornerback Cobie Durant has agreed to a deal in Dallas. It’s a one-year pact worth up to $5.5 million.
Durant was a 2022 fourth-round pick in Los Angeles and has been a regular in the Rams’ secondary since entering the league. He had 40 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2025.
The Rams moved in a different direction at corner by acquiring Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this week, so Durant will move on to Dallas to try to boost their pass defense.
The following are PFT’s top 100 free agents for the start of the 2026 league year. The rankings include prospective unrestricted free agents and released players. The list will be updated as events warrant, with signings, tags and re-signings denoted when announced and/or reported. Players released after initial publication may be added and all 100 players initially on the list will still be listed after any additions.
1. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 27.)
2. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. (Placed the transition tag on him on March 3.)
3. Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
4. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)
5. Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)
6. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. (Placed the franchise tag on him on February 24.)
7. Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. (Agreed to four-year deal with Colts on March 9.)
8. Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Rams on March 9.)
9. Jets running back Breece Hall. (Placed the franchise tag on him on March 3.)
10. Packers quarterback Malik Willis. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins on March 9.)
11. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. (Signed a one-year deal with the Vikings on March 12.)
12. Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)
13. Seahawks WR/KR/PR Rashid Shaheed. (Agreed to re-sign with Seahawks on a three-year deal on March 9.)
14. Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. (Agreed to one-year deal with Panthers on March 13.)
15. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker. (Agreed to sign with the Chiefs on March 9.)
16. Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 10.)
17. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
18. Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)
19. Packers linebacker Quay Walker. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
20. Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 10.)
21. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the 49ers on March 9.)
22. Seahawks defensive back Coby Bryant. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)
23. 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
24. Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs. (Agreed to four-year deal with Patriots on March 10.)
25. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)
26. Broncos edge rusher John Franklin-Myers. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Titans on March 9).
27. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
28. Eagles edge rusher Jaelen Phillips. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Panthers on March 9.)
29. Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
30. Bills center Connor McGovern. (Re-signed on March 7.)
31. Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. (Agreed to a deal with the Patriots on March 9.)
32. Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)
33. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bengals on March 9.)
34. Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. (Agreed to one-year deal with Jets on March 10.)
35. Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa.
36. Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bills on March 11.)
37. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. (Agreed to three-year deal with Giants on March 9.)
38. Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Commanders on March 9.)
39. Steelers offensive guard Isaac Seumalo. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cardinals on March 9.)
40. Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
41. Browns linebacker Devin Bush. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears on March 9.)
42. Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on March 12.)
43. Rams safety Kamren Curl. (Agreed to three-year deal with Rams on March 6.)
44. Bills offensive guard David Edwards. (Agreed to four-year deal with Saints on March 9.)
45. Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)
46. Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
47. Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor. (Agreed to three-year deal with Titans on March 9.)
48. Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns on March 9).
49. Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio.
50. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 15).
51. Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Buccaneers on March 9.)
52. Panthers center Cade Mays. (Agreed to three-year deal with the Lions on March 9.)
53. Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. (Agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Chargers on March 7.)
54. Bears safety Kevin Byard. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots on March 11.)
55. Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders on March 9.)
56. Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Eagles on March 10.)
57. Ravens edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones. (Agreed to three-year deal with Patriots on March 9.)
58. Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller. (Agreed to two-year deal with Texans on March 17.)
59. Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad. (Agreed to a one-year deal with Bucs on March 12.)
60. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.
61. Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. (Agreed to a four-year deal with the Titans on March 9.)
62. Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Ravens on March 11.)
63. Cowboys edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
64. Saints linebacker Demario Davis. (Agreed to two-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
65. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Steelers on March 9.)
66. Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles on March 12.)
67. Titans offensive guard Kevin Zeitler.
68. Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Broncos on March 9.)
69. Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Cowboys on March 9.)
70. Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton. (Agreed to three-year deal with Buccaneers on March 9.)
71. Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan.
72. Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Seahawks on March 9.)
73. Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. (Agree to three-year deal with the Giants on March 9.)
74. Commanders center Tyler Biadasz. (Agreed to three-year deal with Chargers on March 6.)
75. Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on March 16.)
76. Browns tight end David Njoku.
77. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. (Agreed to return to Chiefs on March 9.)
78. Giants offensive guard Greg Van Roten.
79. Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota. (Re-signed with the Commanders on March 9.)
80. Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown. (Agreed to three-year deal with Jaguars on March 9.)
81. Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata. (Agreed to a one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
82. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David. (Announced his retirement on March 24.)
83. Bengals guard Dalton Risner. (Re-signed with Bengals on March 2.)
84. Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
85. Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
86. Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
87. Jets safety Andre Cisco. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 13.)
88. Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Commanders on March 12.)
89. Packers edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. (Agreed to one-year deal with the Jets on March 9.)
90. Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.
91. Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas.
92. Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. (Agreed to re-sign with Texans on March 9.)
93. Titans tight end Chig Okonwko. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Commanders on March 11.)
94. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. (Agreed to a three-year deal with the Texans on March 9.)
95. Raiders offensive guard Dylan Parham. (Agreed to a two-year deal with the Jets on March 11.)
96. Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
97. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 9.)
98. Broncos outside linebacker Justin Strnad. (Re-signed with the Broncos on March 8.)
99. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco. (Re-signed with the Bengals on March 24.)
100. Colts cornerback Mike Hilton.
101. Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
102. Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier. (Agreed to two-year deal with Cardinals on March 9.)
The Cowboys were interested in a trade for Maxx Crosby. They missed out when the Raiders traded the edge rusher to the Ravens on Friday.
But the Ravens failed Crosby on his physical on Tuesday, prompting questions about whether the Raiders might attempt to trade Crosby again once his knee heals. (The Raiders are telling teams they are no longer interested in trading Crosby.)
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wouldn’t rule out re-engaging in trade talks with the Raiders, but admits it isn’t likely.
“We’re pretty far down the road relative to what our plans are,” Jones told Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press during an event promoting an IndyCar series street race in Arlington. “So while I don’t anticipate it, I don’t want to rule anything out.”
The Cowboys cleared cap space on Wednesday by trading defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas. Odighizuwa went to the 49ers, and Thomas to the Titans.
They added a pass rusher earlier this week by trading with the Packers for Rashan Gary.
The Cowboys released quarterback Will Grier on Thursday, a day after coming to terms with Sam Howell.
Dallas now has Howell and Joe Milton behind Dak Prescott.
Grier, who turns 31 in April, entered the NFL as a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2019. He started two games as a rookie, the regular-season action he has seen in his career.
He completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 228 yards with four interceptions.
Grier has spent more time with the Cowboys than any other team, mostly on the practice squad, but also has been with the Patriots, Chargers and Eagles. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles.
The Cowboys have made a second trade on Wednesday, sending defensive lineman Solomon Thomas to the Titans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The teams will swap seventh-round picks, with the Cowboys getting No. 218 overall and the Titans No. 225 overall.
The Cowboys will save about $2.5 million in cap space, with $750,000 in dead money.
It reunites Thomas with Robert Saleh. The two were together with the 49ers from 2017-20 and with the Jets from 2021-24, so last season, when Saleh was back in San Francisco and Thomas was in Dallas, was the only season they weren’t on the same team.
The Cowboys had a glut of defensive tackles as they switch to the 3-4 and sent Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers earlier in the day.
Thomas, 30, played 16 games with two starts last season, totaling 27 tackles while playing 419 defensive snaps and 85 on special teams.
In his career, the third overall pick in 2017 has recorded 239 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 53 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.
The Cowboys have traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.
The Cowboys will receive a third-round pick in return.
The move was expected after they signed nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia on Tuesday, and a report indicated they were in talks with the 49ers. It reunites Odighizuwa with Matt Eberflus, who was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last season and now serves as the 49ers’ assistant head coach of defense.
The Cowboys will save $4.75 million, but they have a $16 million dead cap charge.
Dallas made a splash last offseason, re-signing Odighizuwa, who would have been one of the NFL’s top free agents, to a four-year, $80 million contract with $58 million guaranteed. The Cowboys then traded for defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams during the season.
That gave the Cowboys a glut at the position as they switch to the 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Odighizuwa totaled 44 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 17 games last season.
