The NFL Trade Deadline passed on Tuesday, and the Dallas Cowboys made no moves.

Dallas sits at 5-2, tied for third in the National Football Conference (NFC), and is currently chasing the 7-1 Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East division. Owner Jerry Jones recently said his team was not on the same level as contenders like Philadelphia and San Francisco in the NFC, leading many to speculate about potential trades to improve the team.

“The reason that you aren’t on someone’s level one week and become on their level two weeks or three weeks later is because you have gelled,” Jones explained as he joined Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan to discuss the team. “You have evolved. You may have lost players, and you may have gained players. All of that comes to bearing when you say, ‘Where are you relative to a team?’ at any given point during the season.”

Head coach Mike McCarthy similarly approached the deadline, telling the media on October 30 that he believes his current group can get the job done.

“I’m about the development of the men in the building,” he said. “I strongly believe in that. I’m not blind to what goes on, but I’m not sitting here with my fingers crossed, hoping we trade for somebody. … I believe in the men we have in the locker room.”

While the Cowboys were tied to many high-profile players like Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland, and even ex-Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott, they ultimately stood pat, likely because any deal would have cost too much in the eyes of the franchise.

“We have a keen sense of where there’s possibilities out there,” Jones told 105.3. “Yes, [trades are possible], but the price you would have to do to make the trade is not acceptable. It takes away more from the team than you would get.”

The Cowboys’ decision has been met with plenty of criticism from national experts after other contenders in the NFC made trades at the deadline.

Fox Sports‘ Colin Cowherd was among those to weigh in on the decision during his show on Wednesday.

“Every current NFC playoff team made a move … except Dallas,” Cowherd said. “Dallas loves its players way more than anyone else. The only player Dallas has on this roster that, if he was available on the market, there would be a mad dash to get him is Micah Parsons. … Dallas overvalues their own because it validates your expertise. … You would hope every team loves their draft picks, but it’s called delusion and being diluted when you think you have all the answers.”

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EXTRA POINTS
— Cowboys rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.

— The Las Vegas Raiders have fired head coach Josh McDaniels, general manager Dave Ziegler, and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.

— San Francisco traded a third-round pick to Washington for defensive end Chase Young. Washington also traded defensive end Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick.

— The Cleveland Browns traded wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

— The Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Josh Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals.

–The Green Bay Packers have traded cornerback Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills.

— The Atlanta Falcons have named Taylor Heinicke their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

— The Chicago Bears have fired running backs coach David Walker.