The clock is officially ticking on Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys, with NFL trade deadline day arriving as the franchise’s absolute final opportunity to bolster a struggling roster for the second half of the 2026 season.
Despite sitting at a frustrating 4-5 on the season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has repeatedly insisted that he remains open to pulling off another blockbuster deal—even after landing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a high-profile move earlier this fall.
However, speaking to 105.3 The Fan on the morning of the deadline, Jones delivered a sobering reality check regarding the likelihood of a last-minute shocker:
“If it’s substantive for sure… you don’t have any idea until you have the meeting of the minds and it’s done. At this point I don’t see it.”
Edge-Rusher Breakdown: Ranking Dallas’ Top Trade Targets
Despite Jones’ public pessimism, edge rusher remains the Cowboys’ single biggest roster vulnerability. With defensive depth stretched to its limits, NFL insiders have identified three high-profile pass rushers who could become target options before the deadline shutter closes:
- Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) – Trade Odds: 5% While reports indicate Las Vegas has zero desire to move Crosby, a monstrous package featuring at least two first-round draft picks could force a deal. While Jerry Jones possesses the draft capital, Crosby’s vocal commitment to Raiders management makes a deal highly improbable.
- Josh Sweat (Arizona Cardinals) – Trade Odds: 40% With Arizona trapped in a full-scale rebuild, insider Jordan Schultz reports that Sweat is open to a trade. Sweat offers a far more affordable veteran contract than Crosby, though Dallas remains hesitant to overpay out of their dwindling stable of mid-round picks.
- Will McDonald IV (New York Jets) – Trade Odds: 50% The most realistic option on the board. McDonald has reportedly requested a trade out of New York. Because he remains less proven, the young pass rusher could be acquired for a fourth-round pick—a price point Jones is far more comfortable paying.
The George Pickens Trade Speculation: Will Jerry Sell?
Rumors have swirled for weeks regarding wide receiver George Pickens, who is playing out the 2026 season on the franchise tag after contract extension negotiations stalled last summer.
However, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys have zero intention of trading their star receiver despite holding just a 5% chance of dealing him away:
“The fifth-year pass-catcher and second-year Cowboy is playing this season on the franchise tag… Despite trade rhetoric around the time of that decision being announced, the Cowboys never engaged in trying to send him away. Seven months later, that strategy remains the same ahead of the deadline.”
Secondary and Linebacker Emergency Watch
Beyond the defensive line, Dallas faces mounting injury concerns across their entire defensive unit.
Safety P.J. Locke suffered yet another concussion during Sunday’s win over the Colts, while Jalen Thompson remains on injured reserve.
At linebacker, DeMarvion Overshown is battling another injury, and rookie Jaishawn Barham played just three defensive snaps in Week 9 after losing the coaching staff’s trust.
With cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) and DaRon Bland anchoring the outside, Dallas holds a 30% chance of pulling off a surprise addition at linebacker or safety—but all eyes in Frisco remain locked squarely on the pass-rush market as the trade window closes.
