3 potential Cowboys blockbuster trades that would shake up the entire offseason

The Dallas Cowboys they were rarely subtle under Jerry Jones. However, the 2026 offseason presents a different kind of urgency, driven by necessity. Dallas needs structural repair. After fielding one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses in 2025, the Cowboys watched everything crumble under the weight of a historically porous defense. That imbalance forced the organization into an uncomfortable but inevitable reckoning. If the offense is championship-caliber, then the defense must be rebuilt with equal aggressiveness. The quickest way to close that gap is through blockbuster trades that can immediately recalibrate the roster’s identity.

A tale of two extremes

The Cowboys’ 2025 campaign culminated with a 7-9-1 record and a second straight absence from the postseason. Under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the offensive unit has been nothing short of electric. Dak Prescott returned to elite form, orchestrating the league’s second-ranked total offense. He also maximized the vertical dominance of the trade acquisition George Pickens. The ground game also flourished, fueled by Javonte Williams’ breakout season of 1,201 yards.

However, those gains were offset each week by defensive breakdowns. Micah Parsons offseason trade created a vacuum from which the unit never recovered. As such, Dallas finished with the NFL’s 32nd winningest defense. They surrendered more points than any team in franchise history. Even so, there were a few bright spots. That included the consistency of All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey and the developmental flashes of passer Donovan Ezeiruaku. However, the organizational mandate going into 2026 is yes restore the defense or you risk losing an elite offensive window.

Cover pressure

Financially, Dallas enters the offseason navigating itself. The Cowboys are projected to be around $30-32 million over the cap. That was largely driven by the massive allocations to Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Prescott’s staggering $74.1 million is on the cover of the book. Meanwhile, Lamb’s $38.4 million number further compresses flexibility.

The release of Trevon Diggs brought some relief. However, significant maneuverability requires deeper contract restructuring. Luckily for Jones, there is an escape hatch. Maximum restructurings for Prescott and Lamb alone could free up over $50 million. It can transform the deficit into significant spending power. That financial pivot is critical if Dallas intends to continue to make defensive additions via trade instead of relying solely on draft development.

Defensive desperation

Looking ahead, Dallas’ roster revolves around a major theme of defensive rehab. The secondary requires a command center capable of eliminating the explosive plays that doomed them each week. Meanwhile, the pass rush still bears the scars of the Parsons’ departure. Only contributions from beginners will not be enough. They need a proven edge disruptor.

There are also secondary offensive considerations. Pickens and Williams are entering uncertain contract territory. That potentially forces Dallas to either allocate scarce resources or turn to a trade-up draft. Make no mistake, though, the Cowboys’ championship ceiling hinges almost entirely on whether the defense can transform from a liability to a complement.

Here are some successful trades to consider.

If Dallas wants to overhaul its defensive front in one decisive move, Max Crosby presents the most logical and emotionally resonant target. With the Raiders entering a deep rebuild, Crosby’s name naturally appears at the top of trade speculation boards.

From a schematic standpoint, the fit is flawless. Dallas played the league’s worst scoring defense in 2025. They lacked a consistent edge closer. Crosby brings that intimidation factor right back. His relentless motor is a perfect match for Ezeiruaku’s development side.

There is also narrative gravity. Crosby’s Texas roots make this a cultural fit. For Dallas, acquiring Crosby signals urgency, credibility and championship intent.

A tag-and-trade shocker

Of course, Dallas would prefer to keep Pickens after his Pro Bowl campaign. However, financial math complicates the mood. With Lamb already on a premium contract and the Cowboys managing the cap, franchising Pickens just to flip him could become a pragmatic solution.

Enter the New York Jets. They are desperate to pair Garrett Wilson with a legitimate borderline counterpart. Pickens’ physicality and dominance of the contested catch would immediately improve their passing ecosystem.

For Dallas, the benefits are multi-layered. A tag-and-trade maneuver could land a first-round pick while clearing over $25 million in liabilities. That capital could then be reallocated to defensive reinforcements or used to maneuver within the draft.

It’s an emotionally painful decision, but it strategically turns an offensive surplus into a defensive lifeline.

Generational secondary anchor

If 2025 exposed Dallas’ most glaring weakness, it was the secondary’s inability to contain explosive plays. Addressing that shortcoming could require aggressive draft positioning rather than patching up free agents.

Dallas currently owns the 12th and 20th picks this year. Packing those two first-round selections into the Top 10 represents exactly the kind of bold maneuver they need. The goal in this scenario is generational security. They need an instant pitchman who can transform the back end. That could be Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.

Such a move reflects a philosophical commitment. Instead of spreading resources across multiple mid-tier additions, Dallas would invest in a single defensive pillar. It can stabilize coverage communications, reduce deep breakdowns, and accelerate overall unit cohesion. Acquiring a blue-chip secondary like Downs could be just as impressive as landing an elite rusher.

Defining the off-season loom

The Cowboys enter 2026 facing a rare organizational paradox. They have an offense ready to fight and a defense that drags the entire enterprise back. That imbalance requires urgency, creativity and risk tolerance.

Trading for McCrosby brings back the pass rush. Moving George Pickens complements financial and draft flexibility. Aggressive progression at the plate for Caleb Downs provides a generational secondary cornerstone.

Individually, each move deals with a critical break. Together, they represent a franchise trying to recalibrate its identity overnight.