At the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Dallas signaled it is open for business on the linebacking corps, aiming to land a starting-quality middle linebacker ahead of the draft. The team entered the offseason without a clear veteran at the position after adding Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray in previous years, and both have struggled in recent seasons.
Dallas explored top targets in free agency, including Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, but both signed elsewhere. With a lack of a solid Plan C and the looming draft, the Cowboys may consider using one of their first‑round picks (No. 12 or No. 20) on a linebacker, potentially deploying a rookie in 2026.
Trade talks have centered on two potential targets: Azeez Al‑Shaair of Houston and Jordyn Brooks of Miami. While Al‑Shaair appears unlikely to move, Brooks is a more complex case, given the Dolphins’ tight salary cap situation and the team’s stated interest in keeping Brooks long term through a potential extension.
Reports indicate the Cowboys have reached out to Dolphins GM Jon‑Eric Sullivan about Brooks, but there has been no imminent deal. Miami, meanwhile, has publicly expressed a desire to retain Brooks, who posted a standout 2025 season as the league’s leading tackler and has posted durability with 83 games over the last three years.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized the organization’s ongoing search and readiness to adapt, noting the team’s draft capital and “firepower” to pursue a top linebacker. He framed the process as continuous, underscoring that Dallas is “always open for business” as it refines its defensive blueprint.
