The Dallas Cowboys have finally gained some momentum after a frustrating start to the 2026 NFL season. Their 27-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday improved their record to 4-5, keeping them in the hunt for a surprisingly competitive NFC East title. With the trade deadline approaching on November 10, Jerry Jones has another chance to strengthen a roster that has already changed significantly.
Dallas has made substantial investments in rebuilding its defense by acquiring Joey Porter Jr. and Quinnen Williams through separate trades, all while trying to establish a more consistent pass rush. These additions have enhanced the team's overall talent, but their defensive front still lacks the reliable edge production necessary to make the Cowboys a formidable threat against stronger opponents.
Fortunately, a potential solution has emerged at just the right time. New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV has reportedly requested a trade after growing frustrated with his decreasing role. The Cowboys should seize this opportunity and make a serious trade offer before the deadline passes.
McDonald's situation has become one of the most intriguing developments of the final days before the deadline.
Cowboys must trade for Jets' Will McDonald IV before NFL deadline
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the former first-round pick has told the Jets he wants to be traded after repeated, unsuccessful attempts to earn more playing time. While several teams have reportedly expressed interest, New York has not engaged in negotiations and currently has no plans to move him.
This reluctance creates a significant obstacle, but McDonald has valid reasons to seek a new opportunity. Selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he developed into an important contributor during his first three professional seasons. McDonald recorded 10.5 sacks in 2024, establishing himself as a disruptive defender capable of generating pressure without needing extensive support from teammates. However, his role has changed dramatically under head coach Aaron Glenn. The Jets shifted to a different defensive strategy and added several edge defenders during the offseason, including rookie David Bailey and veterans Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. These additions have reduced McDonald’s playing time, pushing him further down the depth chart.
The 27-year-old has played in nine games this season, participating in approximately 46 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps. Despite receiving significantly fewer opportunities than in previous years, he has recorded three sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. His production remains respectable under these circumstances, although the decline in playing time has clearly impacted his relationship with the organization. For the Dallas Cowboys, this situation presents an opportunity to acquire a talented player whose current role may be limiting his market value. While they would not be bringing in a proven superstar guaranteed to transform their defense, they would be betting on a former first-round pick whose best football may still be ahead of him, especially in a system that can leverage his strengths.
Why Dallas still needs another pass rusher
The Cowboys' defense has shown improvement in recent weeks, though the progress has been inconsistent. In their first four games, Dallas pressured opposing quarterbacks on only 32.6% of dropbacks, which ranked 24th in the NFL. However, during Weeks 5 to 8, that figure rose to 38%, indicating that defensive coordinator Christian Parker has found more effective strategies for pressuring quarterbacks. This improvement is encouraging, especially considering that the organization has invested significant resources into rebuilding its defensive personnel. Quinnen Williams has emerged as a key player along the interior, capable of disrupting protection schemes and forcing quarterbacks to adjust within the pocket. Additionally, Joey Porter Jr. has bolstered the secondary, providing the physical coverage that the team desperately needed earlier in the season.
Despite these additions, the remaining weakness on the defensive edge stands out. Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku have contributed to the pass rush, but neither has consistently delivered the explosive production necessary to force opposing offenses to change their game plan. Gary has recorded two sacks this season, while Ezeiruaku has 2.5. While their contributions extend beyond just these numbers, Dallas could benefit from another defender who can finish pressures and create negative plays, and adding McDonald to the rotation would introduce a new dynamic. His athleticism and ability to accelerate around offensive tackles could enhance the interior disruption already provided by Williams. Quarterbacks pressured from the middle would encounter another defender capable of quickly closing in from the outside.
What Dallas should offer the Jets
The Cowboys have already sacrificed considerable draft capital to improve their roster, making another expensive transaction difficult to justify.
Their previous acquisitions reduced the number of selections available in 2027, leaving Jones with limited flexibility to make additional deals without compromising future opportunities to add younger talent.
That reality should influence the structure of any offer for McDonald.
Dallas should propose sending Pittsburgh's fourth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, along with its own third-round pick in 2028, to New York.
Proposed trade:
- Cowboys receive: DE Will McDonald IV
- Jets receive: 2027 fourth-round pick (via Pittsburgh) and 2028 third-round pick
The compensation for McDonald would be a significant investment, especially considering he has had difficulty securing consistent playing time this season, but his age, past production, and current contract situation warrant a closer look at such an offer. New York has exercised his fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2027. This gives Dallas the chance to evaluate him for the remainder of this season and retain his services for an additional year without needing to negotiate an extension right away.
His guaranteed base salary for 2027 is approximately $13.8 million, which represents a considerable commitment for the Cowboys. This figure is crucial because acquiring McDonald is a commitment that he can become a more impactful contributor before agreeing to those financial obligations. On the other hand, the Jets would recoup two draft picks for a player whose role has diminished, despite his previous successes.
Therefore, Dallas needs to present an offer that is attractive enough to persuade New York to reconsider its stance without giving up another premium draft selection. A combination of a third-round and fourth-round pick would provide a solid foundation for those negotiations.
Why the trade could work for both franchises
The main question surrounding this proposal is whether Dallas should continue investing in its current roster, given its losing record. The Cowboys are not guaranteed a playoff appearance, and their remaining schedule includes tough opponents capable of exposing the weaknesses that have contributed to their inconsistent season. However, Sunday’s victory over Indianapolis showed that the team remains competitive. Dak Prescott continues to provide experienced quarterback play, while CeeDee Lamb offers Dallas a proven offensive weapon that can impact games against strong defenses. The offense has enough talent to keep the Cowboys in the NFC East race, but the defense needs to become more reliable if the team hopes to make a significant postseason push.
McDonald could contribute immediately without requiring Dallas to replace an established starter. His presence would strengthen the pass-rushing rotation, provide Parker with another option on passing downs, and give the organization a younger defender who could be part of its plans beyond 2026. New York is facing a different situation.
The Cowboys should reach out to the Jets to see if a substantial offer can change their position. With the deadline approaching and Dallas still fighting for its season, adding another capable pass rusher could be the defensive improvement needed to turn recent progress into sustained results.