The NFC East is an absolute mess right now, logging a combined 0-6-2 record over the last two weeks, a first in NFL history for any division playing four-plus games. Seriously, imagine that kind of chaos. It’s exactly why Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones thinks his 2-4 squad isn’t out of the division race yet, not by a long shot.
The Division Is Wide Open, So Why Not Go For It?
With the NFC East looking like a free-for-all, Jones sees an opening. The first-place New York Giants, sitting at 3-2-1, are rolling with Minnesota Vikings bust J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. And get this, the Philadelphia Eagles are likely losing Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts for the entire 2026 season while he recovers from blood clots. Talk about an opportunity! Ahead of the November 10 NFL trade deadline, Jones is crystal clear about his intentions: he’s a buyer, not a seller. He told reporters on Wednesday, “I’ll be real clear, I could see being active at the trade deadline if it was something that could help the team this year.” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer is right there with him, sharing that faith in a turnaround. Schottenheimer said Thursday, “Number one, Jerry is never afraid to make moves, and number two, we have a lot of football left. We’re excited about winning a big game in Philadelphia on Monday.” That’s the kind of confidence you gotta love, even if the record doesn’t quite back it up yet.
Dallas’s Trade Ammo and the Big Fish They Need
So, what kind of firepower does Dallas have to make a move? They’ve got a decent stash of draft picks: a 2027 first-rounder (the lesser of their own and the Green Bay Packers’), a 2027 second-rounder, a 2027 fourth-rounder (from the Steelers), a 2027 seventh-rounder (from the 49ers via Texans), a 2028 first, a 2028 third, two 2028 fourths, a 2028 fifth, two 2028 sixths (one from the Saints), and all seven of their 2029 picks. That’s a lot of chips to play if Jones wants to make a splash.
And if they *do* go big, the name that makes a ton of sense is Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. The Cowboys’ pass rush is struggling, big time. They’re 11th-worst in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (34.5%) and fifth-worst in sack rate (4.2%), according to TruMedia. They brought in veterans Rashan Gary and Von Miller this offseason, but those guys look like they’re past their prime when it comes to finishing sacks. Plus, they’re still reeling from losing All-Pro Micah Parsons’ production after shipping him to the Green Bay Packers just before the 2025 season. Tuipulotu, at just 24 years old, is a Pro Bowl talent who would instantly address their most urgent defensive need and give them a player in the prime of his career. It’s a move that could genuinely help this team *this year*.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys are pumped for a “big game in Philadelphia on Monday.” If they want to prove Jones’s faith isn’t misplaced, that’s where it starts. With the trade deadline looming on November 10, all eyes will be on Jerry to see if he pulls the trigger and brings in the kind of talent that can actually turn this season around and snag them that wild, wide-open NFC East title.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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