The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a critical juncture in the 2025 NFL season. With a record of 231, their wins have come against teams with a combined 210 mark, casting doubt on their competitiveness.
Even with quarterback Dak Prescott playing at an MVP-caliber level, the Cowboys sit third in their division, and more troublingly, rank 32nd in total defense.
It’s a scenario that has many questioning whether Dallas should double down and improve the roster, or accept that this may not be their year. But team owner Jerry Jones is clearly leaning toward action.
“We’ve thought all along that if we see a way to improve this year with a trade at the deadline, we’ll take advantage of it,” Jones told reporters Tuesday. “That’s why we positioned ourselves to have the ammunition to do something if an opportunity comes.”
That “ammunition” includes significant draft capital and a large amount of salary cap space. In one of the most high-profile moves of the offseason, Dallas dealt Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two future first-round picks.
They also picked up star defensive tackle Kenny Clark in the deal, whose $22 million annual salary only costs the Cowboys about $2 million this season, thanks to Green Bay absorbing most of the financial hit.
Jones emphasized the strategic nature of that trade. “Getting Kenny at that number gave us flexibility. We essentially acquired a Pro Bowl-level talent for pennies on the dollar, and that lets us look at other moves we wouldn’t have been able to consider before.”
In addition, Dallas is second in the NFL in available cap space, sitting on over $31 million, giving them room to maneuver without restructuring contracts or mortgaging future years.
To trade or not
The next two games will be pivotal. The Cowboys host the Washington Commanders, then travel to face the Denver Broncos.
If they come out of those matchups with a losing record, say 251, it may not make sense to part with assets for short-term gains. But if they stay in playoff contention, Jones may feel justified in being aggressive at the trade deadline.
Help is badly needed across the defense. Although linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is expected to return to practice soon, the team lacks depth and impact players at multiple positions. The front seven has struggled to stop the run, and the secondary has failed to generate turnovers.
Jones made it clear: while a trade isn’t guaranteed, the Cowboys structured their offseason to keep that option open. Whether or not they pull the trigger will depend on how the next two weeks unfold, and whether they still see 2025 as a year worth fighting for.
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