Cowboys reportedly targeted an AFC contender for Pro Bowl LB in trade talks.

The Dallas Cowboys did not address their key defensive weakness in the 2026 NFL draft by selecting an off-ball linebacker, revealing that the need persisted despite their efforts. Sports insider reporting shows the Cowboys attempted to trade with the Houston Texans for Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who ultimately signed a three-year extension with Houston. This move underscores how highly the Texans value Al-Shaair’s on-field performance and off-field community work, delaying the Cowboys’ opportunity to land a top linebacker.

Key details include:
– The Cowboys explored a trade for Azeez Al-Shaair with the Texans before ultimately not acquiring him.
– Al-Shaair has been among the NFL’s elite off-ball linebackers over the past three seasons, highlighted by a career-high 163 tackles in 2023 and 103 tackles in 2025, culminating in his first Pro Bowl selection.
– The Cowboys instead acquired Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers, trading a 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 152 overall) for Winters.

Key takeaways:
– The Cowboys’ strategy shows a continued prioritization of upgrading the linebacking unit, even if the 2026 draft did not yield the desired off-ball linebacker.
– Azeez Al-Shaair’s trajectory with the Texans explains why a deal didn’t materialize, given Houston’s valuation of his overall impact.
– Dee Winters became the drafted option at linebacker for the Cowboys, signaling a shift in how the team approached immediate defensive improvements.