The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Dallas Cowboys have major decisions to make about whether to add a player to help support their defense.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Cowboys’ defense has ranked among the worst in the NFL at nearly every statistical category, prompting many to wonder whether the team could add another piece at the trade deadline.
Adding another player could help improve a defensive unit that has frequently let down the offense, as the team has lost multiple games this season in shootout fashion, as the defense is unable to stop opposing teams.
However, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has appeared more skeptical about whether an addition at the deadline, which is scheduled for November 4, will truly make a difference for this Dallas defense.
Jones explained that he is prepared to make any move that will help the Cowboys compete at a high level, but he has questions about whether a single player can turn this defense’s fortunes around.
“Could one better player — if we didn’t pay too big a price to have a better player on defense to possibly help? I’m not trying to be cute, but that’s why you’d go get him because you think that you could go help your defense. Are we one player away on defense? I think we’re not. I think we’re more than that away, but what we’re closer to than it looks, in my mind, is executing better on defense,” Jones said, per ESPN.
Jones has seemingly remained level-headed following the blowout loss to the Broncos, saying that the singular defeat would not change his mind on whether to acquire a player at the deadline.
“A loss is discouraging,” he said, per The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But as far as my temperament, if I saw a proposition for us that could help this team — no matter what this score was today — then I would look at it on the merits of helping this team. Today would not affect the decision on trading for a player.”
While a player acquisition could be on the way for the Cowboys, the team will likely need to win in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals to convince the front office to make a move.
A victory in Week 9 would give the Cowboys a record of just 4-4-1 for the season, but that record could be enough to be in the hunt for a spot in the postseason.
More good news for Cowboys fans is that Jones has remained skeptical about becoming sellers at the deadline, frequently emphasizing his belief that this team still has a chance to compete at a high level this season.
“Not now, no,” responded Jones when asked whether he has considered trading players away for more draft capital, as reported by The FWST.
This response indicates that the front office is committed to this team and would prefer to keep the core intact, meaning many of the key players should be expected to remain on the roster throughout the season.