On the one hand, this was a pretty slow few days for the Dallas Cowboys. They barely beat a bottom-feeding Colts team on Sunday, then did nothing to help improve the roster before Tuesday's trade deadline. But in another sense, these events spoke volumes about where the team is headed this season and what the front office may be planning for the future.
Let's look at three questions raised by the performance in Indianapolis, as well as Dallas' handling of the last opportunity to make a significant roster move before getting into the second half of 2026.
Is it time to let Caleb Downs just play safety?
Since the rookie's arrival in Dallas, he's been mostly miscast as a slot defender in Christian Parker's defense. It hasn't been all bad, but Downs' athletic limitations have been taken advantage of by quicker and more experienced receivers.
When you see the way the Downs can make plays blitzing, or how he read and intercepted the final pass to seal Dallas' victory, you wonder even more why the Cowboys don't just play him as a true safety. It's the position that made him a start at Ohio State, and an elite 2026 draft prospect.
It's not like Dallas doesn't need help back there, either. Jalen Thompson's still out, P.J. Locke's injured again, and Malik Hooker is still mediocre.
While Dallas isn't flush with cornerback talent either, Downs hasn't really helped much from the slot. If he could be a more impactful player at safety, those moments could help your struggling defense to end drives, or perhaps even generate more turnovers.
It would help if Joey Porter Jr. could stay on the field. Perhaps if he and Cobie Durant could consistently cover the sidelines, it would allow DaRon Bland to go back to his natural position in the slot.
The trickle effect of those moves, with Downs getting to play more safety, could improve the solvency of Dallas' secondary.
Why did the Cowboys do nothing at the trade deadline?
After the loss to the Cardinals, many were ready to trade away Porter, George Pickens, and any other player who might net Dallas more resources for future seasons. Then, with Sunday's win, staying near .500 and close to the Giants in the NFC East, some were begging for at least one more big move to help push the team over the hump.
Naturally, neither camp got what they wanted. Dallas stood pat on the current roster and will let this season play out. A change in the coaching staff is still on the table, of course, but any moves there would probably be more about evaluating someone for the future than trying to alter the present course.
Speaking with the media Tuesday morning, Jerry Jones shot down the idea that Porter or Pickens were held out on Sunday as a precursor to a trade. And sure, that's easy to say after a win.
But if the Cowboys had fallen to 3-6 and suffered another embarrassing loss to the Colts, what would've happened then? And even after the win, given how poorly Dallas played, is there really much reason for optimism going forward?
Because of the compensatory draft pick system, it's not like Porter, Pickens, or any other free agent just walks away next spring and leaves Dallas empty- handed. So even if the Cowboys are making a bad bet on any turnaround or success in 2026, the comp picks make for a decent hedge.
But it's that sense of resignation that is tough to take as a fan. The front office isn't frustrated enough to fire anyone or blow the team up now, but also isn't motivated to go get another talent that might help make a difference.
It's NFL Groundhog Day: nine more weeks of discontent as we head into winter. And with all the same pieces in place, the results are likely to be painfully, hauntingly familiar.
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