Cowboys linked to Browns star CB amid major defensive question after Week 1

The Dallas Cowboys began the 2026 season with a loss on Sunday Night Football to the NFC East division rival New York Giants.

Coming out of that disappointing loss, the biggest issue was their defense. Christian Parker's defense didn't look much better than last year's team, and adding some help in the secondary would go a long way towards improving this defense.

It might be early to scour the trade block, but the Cowboys should start looking. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report already is, and linked the Cowboys to Cleveland Browns starter Tyson Campbell as an intriguing CB trade target.

Cowboys named as trade suitor for Tyson Campbell amid defensive questions

"Campbell is also just 26 years old and under contract through 2028. With an annual salary of $19.1 million, he's on the pricier side, but he should interest contenders who need a cornerback," Knox writes. "Potential suitors: Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

The Browns might not be eager to trade Campbell, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise if they wound up moving on from him amid what's looking like a lost 2026 season.

Cleveland surely won't be a contender this year, and probably won't contend next season either. They also just paid Denzel Ward a lot of money to stick around for the next few seasons.

Trading Campbell would make sense on paper, and the Cowboys are a logical landing spot. Cobie Durant and DaRon Bland are the current CB starters, but Campbell's upside as a shutdown corner makes him more appealing for Parker's defense.

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Last season, after joining the Browns partway through the year, Campbell allowed an 84.8 passer rating when targeted, which is a very good number and would be a huge upgrade for any team.

Combined with his age and his contract, Campbell would make a lot of sense as a long-term cornerback for the Cowboys if they are skeptical of Durant and/or Bland.

After a brutal Week 1 performance that could've looked a lot worse than the 28 points allowed indicates, Jerry Jones could be eyeing a cornerback upgrade. He's teased a trade earlier this summer, so adding someone like Campbell wouldn't be a total stunner.

Knox linking the Cowboys to Campbell for a potential trade makes sense, and even though it's not likely to actually happen, the need for more defensive help is evident for Dallas after a rough Week 1 showing.

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