There is a tangible urgency in Dallas Cowboys circles that the team needs to make a trade to improve the NFL's worst defense before the November 4 deadline. It would be franchise malpractice to waste not only the best season of Dak Prescott's career, but also the best offense in football.
The offense hasn't even shown its best form yet, which is downright scary. The group is starting to get healthier, but it has placed nine offensive linemen in seven games, and superstar receiver CeeDee Lamb missed a crucial three-game stretch with an ankle sprain.
Jerry Jones previously told The Athletic's Dianna Russini that, while Dallas is on the hunt for a defensive player, a pass rusher isn't necessarily on its radar. However, a report from FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer directly contradicts that.
Cowboys are clearly trying to trade for a pass rusher despite Jerry Jones' claim
"Dallas is trying. They’ve actually called around," Glazer reported. "They called the Raiders for Maxx Crosby, was told no. They called the Bengals for Trey Hendrickson, was told no. They are calling around for help on defense."
There had been similar rumblings in league circles this week, so it is pretty clear the Cowboys are in the market for a pass rusher.
Crosby or Hendrickson would propel Dallas into the contender conversation, but the Raiders and Bengals remain adamant that they don't want to trade them. Crosby reportedly has no desire to leave Las Vegas. With that in mind, it would likely take two first-round picks to even get the Raiders to entertain trading the four-time Pro Bowler. It stands to reason Jones would hang up the phone if that were the case.
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Hendrickson is a much different case, but it seems the Bengals want to try and keep their season alive in a brutal AFC until quarterback Joe Burrow can return from toe surgery. Trading for Joe Flacco seems to have injected new life into Cincinnati, which improved to 3-4 with a win last week.
An impending free agent, the 31-year-old Hendrickson wouldn't cost nearly as much as Crosby. But there's nothing the Cowboys can do if the Bengals don't budge.
That might force Dallas to pivot to a smaller fish, but there are some compelling options available in that second tier. Some names to know are Dolphins duo Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, the Jets' Jermaine Johnson, the Titans' Arden Key, and the Falcons' Arnold Ebiketie.
At this rate, it would be a surprise if the Cowboys don't trade for a pass rusher. It might not end up being Crosby or Hendrickson, but the front office clearly wants to get better on the edge.
As always, don't take everything Jones says to heart.