Line is now open for Jerry Jones to call about defender Cowboys badly need

In the aftermath of the infamous Micah Parsons trade, the Dallas Cowboys have completely re-tooled their defensive front. Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and a crew of rookies now stand where Parsons once dominated on a weekly basis for America's Team.

And while the 2026 NFL Draft additions of Malachi Lawrence and LT Overton can certainly help Christian Parker's defense on the edge (Jaishawn Barham is seen as more of an off-ball linebacker), Dallas still needs a "guy" who can reliably get after the quarterback and wreak havoc.

Gary has shown flashes, but he’s never cracked double-digit sacks and didn’t do so alongside Parsons last year. That gives the Cowboys reason to keep looking, and teams are now calling on one potential target: Arizona Cardinals standout Josh Sweat, per Jordan Schultz.

Josh Sweat could be the missing piece for the Dallas Cowboys' defense

Jerry Jones should be all over this.

Cowboys fans may remember Sweat from his dominant performance for the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. He then followed his Eagles DC, Jonathan Gannon, to Arizona in 2025, but Sweat has made it known that he's unhappy that the Cardinals fired Gannon this offseason.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox included the Cowboys in a list of seven teams that should call Arizona about Sweat, should the directionless NFC West team make their star edge rusher available for trade.

"While Gary, (James) Houston, and the rookies may make for a functional edge rotation, the Cowboys shouldn't leave anything to chance. With an offense that ranked second overall in 2025, they're poised to make a run now, but their opportunities could be dwindling. 

"Dak Prescott will turn 33 in July, and last year's breakout star, receiver George Pickens, is set to play on the franchise tag. If Sweat becomes available, adding him would help Dallas get the most out of its 2026 campaign."

Knox certainly understands the timeline that Dallas is working on here, and his point about Sweat potentially being the missing piece is well-received. He did record 12.0 sacks last season while playing less than 50% of the snaps, and that would be a welcome addition to the Cowboys' front.

Yes, in an ideal world, Brian Schottenheimer and Christian Parker want their young players to thrive and have a runway to learn on the job. But Dallas is firmly in win-now mode, and relying on a crew of rookies and lower-end rotational players to become big factors is perhaps an irresponsible risk.

Plus, Sweat's contract is quite palatable to trade for. He's on the books for $16.4 million in 2026, and if Sweat isn't the player that Jerry Jones and Co. thought he'd be, then an out exists in his deal before 2027 free agency where the Cowboys would only take on $16.5 million in dead cap. That's not bad.

Based on his recent actions, it shouldn't surprise anyone to hear that Sweat wants to reunite with Gannon, who is now the Packers' DC. Green Bay could certainly use him after the loss of Gary. That would be like losing twice for Dallas, as the Packers will be in the thick of the NFC playoff race as well.

So, if the price is right, then the Cowboys should swing for Sweat. Jones hasn't been afraid to make big-name deals in the past, and if Dallas truly thinks they are in a contending window, then Sweat may be the one to help get them over the hump and solidify the defensive front.

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