Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed intentions to act as a buyer ahead of the November 10, 2026, NFL trade deadline, citing an open NFC East division race. The 2-4 Cowboys face potential roster additions despite criticism from analysts over team accountability and prolonged playoff droughts.
The Dallas Cowboys sit at 2-4 under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, yet owner Jerry Jones views the franchise as a prime contender in a struggling division. Speaking at league owners meetings, Jones made his midseason stance clear regarding upcoming roster decisions.
I’ll be real clear: I would be active if we could get a chance to help the team this year.
Jerry Jones, Cowboys Owner, via Fox News and CBS Sports
That aggression arrives as the NFC East grapples with historic offensive struggles. The division went a combined 0-6-2 across the prior two weeks, marking the first instance in NFL history where a four-team division went winless in consecutive weeks while playing at least four games, according to CBS Sports reporting. First-place New York holds a 3-2-1 record while trying out J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, and Philadelphia navigates the loss of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts due to blood clots.
Gerald McCoy Calls Out Roster Accountability and Coaching Failures in Dallas
Not everyone shares Jones’ optimism about adding external pieces. Former NFL star and ESPN analyst Gerald McCoy delivered a sharp critique of the franchise’s trajectory, arguing that personnel additions miss the root problem.
You currently have 10 All-Pro or Pro Bowl players on your roster, and there are five teams that have been at the top of the league since 2020 with All-Pro and Pro Bowl players; the Cowboys are one of them, and you have nothing to show for it. So it is not the talent or the players.
Gerald McCoy, 6-Time Pro Bowler and ESPN NFL Analyst, via Yahoo Sports
McCoy pointed to a roster featuring recognized stars like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Tyler Smith. Despite sustained high-end talent, the team has not reached an NFC Championship game since 1996, exactly 30 years ago. According to McCoy’s assessment, coaching and on-field execution supersede the need for trade-deadline shopping.
You can have all of those players, but if it’s not being coached right, or you’re allowing these bad things to happen on the field, it does not matter. So we’re tired of hearing, ‘Oh, I’m going to be aggressive at the trade deadline,’ or ‘I’m going to go get these guys.’
Gerald McCoy, 6-Time Pro Bowler and ESPN NFL Analyst, via Yahoo Sports
Dallas defensive units have struggled heavily into the 2026 campaign, recording a 60.9 PFN Defense Impact Grade that ranks dead last in the NFL. Schottenheimer holds a 9-13-1 regular-season record a year and a half into his tenure.
Potential Trade Targets and Draft Capital Available Before November 10
ET on November 10, analysts have linked Dallas to several potential impact players across the league. The club’s defense ranks 11th-worst in quarterback pressure rate at 34.5% and fifth-worst in sack rate at 4.2% via TruMedia metrics, leaving pass rush and run defense as urgent priorities.
- Tuli Tuipulotu: The 24-year-old Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher recorded 13 sacks and 70 quarterback pressures in 2025. He is in the final year of his rookie contract and could be available if the Chargers execute a fire sale.
- Jordyn Brooks: The Miami Dolphins linebacker earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 and signed a three-year, $48 million extension ($35 million guaranteed) over the summer. Operating in an 0-5 rebuilding Miami team—which carries an NFL-record $179 million in dead cap hits—Brooks ranks high in run defense and pass-rushing grades by Pro Football Focus.
- Marvin Mims Jr.: The Denver Broncos wide receiver and return specialist earned first-team All-Pro returner honors in 2024.
Schottenheimer expressed confidence in the team’s immediate outlook ahead of a crucial matchup. Number one, Jerry is never afraid to make moves, and number two, we have a lot of football left,
Schottenheimer stated, adding, We’re excited about winning a big game in Philadelphia on Monday.
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