The Dallas Cowboys have been rumored to be interested in making a potential move for a pass rusher ahead of the trade deadline (November 4), but one of the dream scenarios for them might have just gone up in smoke.
One of the top names circulating ahead of the trade deadline is Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, a former first-round pick who just returned to the field a handful of weeks ago from injured reserve. He would be a huge addition to the Cowboys' defensive front at this point in the season, but according to ESPN, he may not be available.
Insider Jeremy Fowler just poured cold water on the Jermaine Johnson trade ideas, and that option may now officially be up in smoke.
Jermaine Johnson doesn't sound like a real option for the Cowboys at the trade deadline
"This roster isn't barren like the Titans'. Talent exists on both sides of the ball, and because of that, the Jets hoped for a better start. The players have bought into Aaron Glenn. So it's hard to just break that up solely because of the record.
That's why I'm guessing New York finds a middle ground, selecting a few veterans deemed expendable while avoiding a fire sale. Slot corner Michael Carter II is the most obvious candidate. The Jets have an in-house replacement for him in Jarvis Brownlee Jr. While teams I've talked to say New York seemed willing to part with edge Jermaine Johnson in return for a strong pick, Johnson recently had a productive talk with Glenn, and it feels like he's staying."
- Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
And when you really think about it, that's the wise move for the New York Jets. Just last year, folks were talking about that Jets roster as being one of the top-5 overall rosters in the NFL. The talent is there for GM Darren Mougey to work with, and there's no reason for the Jets to just throw talented players away at the NFL trade deadline to appease teams like the Cowboys.
The Cowboys will have to pivot if Jermaine Johnson was one of the top guys they were looking into acquiring, assuming they are in the market for pass rush help.
Perhaps they could even stay in the same division with the Miami Dolphins on the cusp of a potential rebuild. Adam Schefter of ESPN went on TV earlier this week and mentioned both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb as trade options ahead of the deadline, and either of those guys would be huge pickups for the Cowboys.
When one dream goes up in smoke, you've got to work quickly to come up with something else. Luckily, it seems like arguably the biggest names available at this year's deadline could end up being pass rushers, so the Cowboys won't have to be too disappointed.
But they will have to stay aggressive and on the hunt.