The Dallas Cowboys have added safety P.J. Locke to their roster with a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, officially set to commence with the new league year. Locke, previously with the Denver Broncos for seven seasons, returns to his home state of Texas and joins a defense coordinated by Christian Parker, who coached Locke in Denver as the defensive backs coach from 2021 to 2023. This signing aligns with Locke’s roots, as he played college football at the University of Texas.
Broncos Face Safety Challenges Following Locke’s Departure
Locke’s exit leaves the Denver Broncos with limited options at safety behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Jones missed part of last season, during which Locke stepped up effectively. With Locke now gone to Dallas, the Broncos must rely on backups Devon Key and JL Skinner, who have seen limited defensive snaps in recent seasons, to fill the void. The team is expected to prioritize safety in the upcoming 2026 draft to strengthen this vulnerable position.
Additional Notes on Broncos Roster Moves and Free Agency
Locke is one of only two players lost by the Broncos in free agency so far, alongside John Franklin-Myers. Meanwhile, the team’s offseason has been marked by speculation around acquiring star running back Alvin Kamara and connections to other notable players. These developments underscore an active period of roster adjustments as the Broncos prepare for the next season amid significant uncertainty in their secondary and overall lineup.
Sources: The #Cowboys are signing former #Broncos S PJ Locke to a 1 year $5M deal.
He’s reunited with Christian Parker, the new Cowboys DC who previously served as Denver’s DBs coach. Locke has been a key contributor in Denver since 2019 — amassing 174 tackles, 4 sacks, 5… pic.twitter.com/FlRFmXPfew
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 10, 2026
