Cowboys predicted to fix linebacker problem with trade for $26 million All-Pro

The Dallas Cowboys have high expectations for the 2026 season. 

The team had a great offense in 2025, but a horrid defense held the team back and kept them from a postseason appearance. As a result, the team made several moves to improve the defense this offseason, such as getting a new defensive coordinator and trading for Rashan Gary and Dee Winters. 

The Cowboys have struggled with linebacker play for years now. Kenneth Murray Jr. and Shemar James were among the worst-graded middle linebackers in the league in 2025, so it's clear the team needs that unit to be better in 2026. 

So far, Winters was added, as was Jaishawn Barham in the third round of the draft. But, could the team have an even bigger move planned before the season begins? One writer thinks so. 

Cowboys urged to trade for Jordyn Brooks 

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently published some potential playoff-impacting trades. One of these was a deal that would send Jordyn Brooks to the Cowboys. 

Brooks was one of the best linebackers in the league in 2025 and earned First-team All-Pro honors. Brooks led the entire league with 183 tackles and also added 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. 

Davenport's trade looks like this: 

Dallas Cowboys Get: LB Jordyn Brooks, 2028 Round 5 Pick

Miami Dolphins Get: 2027 Round 2 Pick, 2028 Round 4 Pick

So, the Cowboys would give up a future second and a future fourth-round pick in exchange for Brooks and a fifth-round pick. That's not too high a price for one of the league's most productive linebackers. 

Davenport offered the following analysis: 

Enter the Dallas Cowboys. They have been wildly aggressive trying to bolster a defense that was the NFL's worst last year. There are two new edge-rushers in veteran Rashan Gary and rookie Malachi Lawrence, two new starters at safety and a new linebacker in Dee Winters.

However, while Winters is a capable pro, he's not the same caliber of player Brooks is.

The Cowboys are perpetually all-in on a Super Bowl run—trading for Brooks would be a nice finish to the team's defensive makeover.

As Davenport mentioned, the Cowboys are aggressively trying to rework the defense, and that may be the one thing keeping them from a Super Bowl appearance. 

The Dolphins have pretty much shipped out every notable veteran on their roster, so why not send Brooks out? The veteran will be a free agent after the 2026 season. 

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• Packers urged to trade for disgruntled star ahead of 2026 season
• Former Tennessee star could be 49ers' best UDFA 
• Bengals urged to sign future Hall of Famer for offense