Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Reportedly Seeks Defensive Upgrade Amid Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors

The Dallas Cowboys have once more been connected to a potential trade for a defender ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday that Jones “has been making phone calls” to test the market for a defensive player.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini wrote last weekend that the Cowboys “have let the league know they are open for business” and were “looking for defensive help.”

Trey Wingo reported earlier this week the Cowboys had “made inquiries” regarding Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby, although NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote the same day that the Raiders had met with Crosby to tell him he wouldn’t be traded.

The Cowboys ranked 28th in the NFL by allowing 355 yards against per game last season.

That has only worsened since the team traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Dallas is the only defense in the NFL that has allowed more than 401 yards per game through Week 7.

That’s part of the reason the Cowboys are 3-3-1 despite the efforts of quarterback Dak Prescott, who has so far bounced back from last year’s injury-limited campaign to post a career-high 71.4 passing percentage. He is also leading the NFL through Week 7 with 185 completions while ranking second with 1,881 passing yards.

The defense is likely hoping the pending return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will provide a boost. Overshown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last December, opened his 21-day window to return to the active roster by rejoining the Cowboys for Wednesday’s practice.

The Cowboys also opened the practice windows for starting center Cooper Beebe, raising the possibility that Dallas could soon be able to field a fully healthy offensive line for the first time since Week 2.

Jones could be hoping a healthy o-line and a deeper defense will help the Cowboys bounce back from what has so far been an up-and-down start to the 2025 campaign.