The Dallas Cowboys have a franchise quarterback playing at an elite level. That isn't always a commonality in the NFL, and Jerry Jones and the front office need to find a way to take advantage of it and not waste another year of Dak Prescott's prime.
Unfortunately, that is what will happen if something isn't done to improve the defense. The secondary might be a lost cause unless it collectively figures out how to function in Matt Eberflus' scheme. What the defense needs more than anything is an improved pass rush.
Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated recently floated one trade each team in the NFL should make before the Nov. 4 deadline. His idea for the Cowboys? Call the Dolphins about veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Cowboys would be begging for disaster if they trade for Bradley Chubb
"Making the playoffs is unlikely without the defense showing some improvement," Verderame wrote. "The Cowboys desperately need pass-rushing help, and the Dolphins have a surplus at the position. Chubb, 29, is in the midst of an impressive comeback season after overcoming multiple significant injuries. He might never regain his top form, but with three sacks this season, it’s clear that he remains a quality pass rusher."
James Houston currently leads the Cowboys with two sacks, so there's something to be said that Chubb's managed three quarterback takedowns thus far. However, sacks don't exactly provide the full scope of an EDGE's form. And Chubb hasn't been efficient whatsoever on a snap-by-snap basis.
Chubb has just an 8.0 percent pass-rush win rate on the season, per Pro Football Focus. That ranks 52nd out of 57 EDGEs that have played at least 79 pass-rush snaps. Additionally, he is tied for 49th with seven pressures and is 52nd with a 55.3 pass-rush grade in true pass sets.
When you consider Chubb's contract, the Cowboys would be crazy to consider this. The 29-year-old carries a $31 million cap hit for next season. Dallas could save $20.23 million by cutting him with a post-June 1 designation, but they'd also absorb $10.9 million in dead money.
Chubb's injury history is another huge red flag. The former Pro Bowler has missed at least nine games in three of seven seasons. That includes missing all of last year with a torn ACL. He has a history of ankle sprains and previously tore his ACL back in 2019 as a member of the Broncos. The Cowboys have been burned more than once by committing money to players coming off torn ACLs.
Chubb might not cost much relative to other available pass rushers, but he would be a reckless acquisition by Jerry Jones. While sacks would help this defense, Dallas needs more efficiency from down to down than Chubb's 8.0 percent win rate.