New Cowboys Rumors Reveal Team's Stance on Trade for Defensive Help Amid Struggles

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks the Dallas Cowboys might be done making big moves on defense after a 2-4 start to the 2026 season.

According to Fowler, "a source told me a trade to aid the Cowboys defense is not a front-burner issue at the moment."

"So, Dallas will always explore a potential move, but it's quite possible the franchise holds onto whatever 2027 draft capital it has left," Fowler reported.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke about the team's strategy ahead of the deadline, downplaying the idea that the team could be a seller despite its struggles:

The Cowboys currently hold three picks in the 2027 draft. That includes the Green Bay Packers' first-round selection as well as their own second and a Pittsburgh Steelers fourth, according to Tankathon .

Other selections in the upcoming draft were already traded away as part of owner and general manager Jerry Jones' previous deals for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, offensive tackle Broderick Jones, edge rusher Rashan Gary and wide receiver George Pickens.

Adding players like Williams and Gary has yet to help the Cowboys recover from the exit of Micah Parsons. The Cowboys' defense has allowed the third-most points, and seventh-most yards, in the NFL so far this season.

That's not the Cowboys' only issue. Dallas has also been held below 20 points in each of the team's last two games, most recently getting shut out last Sunday in the first half of a 23-13 Week 6 loss at the Green Boy Packers.

The Cowboys have three games remaining against the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, all of which currently have matching 2-4 records, ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

A three-game win streak would be enough to put the Cowboys at 5-4, which could be enough to challenge for a division title in an NFC East weakened by multiple season-ending quarterback injuries and increase the odds Jones is willing to add help ahead of the deadline.

Should the Cowboys end up closer to 2-7 by mid-November, however, Jones could look to add to his weak 2027 draft stock by selling off some of his players.

One notable trade target in that case would be Pickens, who is playing this season on a one-year franchise tag after failing to reach resolution on a longer-team extension ahead of the season.

The Cowboys will get their next opportunity to influence which direction Jones takes a the deadline when kicking off a Week 7 matchup against the Eagles next Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.