Just reading the tones of Brian Schottenheimer, Jerry Jones, and Stephen Jones following the NFL Draft, you got the sense that the Dallas Cowboys haven't actively been looking to upgrade the roster before training camp.
That doesn't mean they won't revisit such an opportunity during camp or even during the league-wide roster crunch. For now, though, it appears nothing is in the works at The Star.
We say that because the Miami Dolphins and star linebacker Jordyn Brooks have agreed to a three-year, $51.3 million extension that includes $35 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Cowboys reportedly discussed a Brooks trade earlier this offseason. It stands to reason that negotiations never made it off the ground -- or if Miami even picked up the phone -- but interest was real on Dallas' end. Alas, they have watched their dream linebacker solution vanish into thin air.
The Dallas Cowboys won't be trading for Jordyn Brooks after all
If you could handpick any linebacker in the NFL to assume the green dot in Christian Parker's defense, you couldn't name many players before you got to Brooks, whose remarkable 2025 was overshadowed as the Dolphins stumbled to a 7-10 finish before firing their general manager and head coach.
However, Miami's stink wasn't enough to sink Brooks, who was named a First-Team All-Pro after leading the league with 183 combined tackles and 99 solo tackles.
Tackles are typically a poor barometer for evaluating linebacker play, but Brooks is one of a few exceptions. He does it all. With the range to cover both sidelines and the instincts to read plays before they happen, Brooks is a one-man eraser who consistently finds his way to the football.
There's a consensus opinion that Dallas' defense only needs to be mediocre for the team to contend for a playoff spot. As long as Dak Prescott stays healthy, even modest improvements could be enough. However, acquiring Brooks would've reset those expectations.
A defense featuring Quinnen Williams, Jordyn Brooks, DeMarvion Overshown, Caleb Downs and Kenny Clark, with rising coordinator Christian Parker pulling the strings, would've had legitimate top-10 upside.
Instead, nothing has really changed. Barring another trade or signing, the Cowboys will lean heavily on DeMarvion Overshown and trade acquisition Dee Winters at linebacker. It's an extremely athletic duo with plenty of upside, but the lack of proven production makes it a calculated gamble.
At the end of the day, it's hard to fault the front office here. Despite being in Year 1 of a complete rebuild, the Dolphins never gave the impression they were willing to part with their defensive leader.
Back to the drawing board.
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