Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones outlines the strict criteria needed to execute a trade before the upcoming NFL deadline.

As the 2026 NFL trade deadline approaches, major roster moves across the league have put pressure on front offices to respond. NFC playoff contenders have been aggressively altering their rosters, but Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is maintaining a cautious approach.

Speaking on Friday during an episode of The K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan, Jones addressed whether his team would make a move. He revealed that the organization would need to find a dynamic situation before giving up valuable draft capital, according to information published by bleache.

The Cowboys currently sit at 3-4 through seven games, trailing the New York Giants in the NFC East. Despite struggles on defense, Jones insists that any future transaction must strictly meet his high threshold for value and team impact.

NFC Landscape Shifts Rapidly Before Deadline

The conference landscape altered dramatically when the Seattle Seahawks traded for Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts. Shortly after, the San Francisco 49ers acquired DeForest Buckner to bolster their own playoff aspirations.

The arms race reached another level when the Chicago Bears traded two first-round picks for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. These aggressive moves have left teams like Dallas evaluating their strategy with less than two weeks remaining until the deadline.

Defensive Struggles and Heavy Investments

The Cowboys enter this critical stretch dealing with persistent defensive issues that mirror last season. The unit currently ranks 23rd in points allowed, 27th in defensive success rate, and 30th in EPA allowed per play under head coach and management oversight.

Dallas has already committed significant draft assets over the past year to fix the defense. Jerry Jones previously traded a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Joey Porter Jr., and a 2027 first-round pick to the New York Jets for Quinnen Williams.

Josh Sweat and Limited Draft Capital

Defensive end Josh Sweat of the Arizona Cardinals has surfaced as a potential trade target for the Cowboys. However, acquiring him depends heavily on the asking price due to the team's depleted future draft picks.

The Cowboys currently hold only four selections in the upcoming draft. If the franchise were to trade another premium pick to Arizona, all of their original draft selections would be completely exhausted, leaving them reliant on picks acquired from other clubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jerry Jones say about the Cowboys trade deadline plans?

Jerry Jones stated that the Dallas Cowboys would need to find a dynamic situation in order to give up valuable draft picks for a new player.

What are the main defensive issues for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026?

The Cowboys defense ranks 23rd in points allowed, 27th in defensive success rate, and 30th in EPA allowed per play through seven games.

Which players have the Cowboys traded for recently?

Over the past year, the Cowboys traded for Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.