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A new report links the Dallas Cowboys to a great addition for their defense in 2026, but there is a key problem with a potential trade.
Dallas’ 2025 campaign was another disappointing one as they followed a 7-10 showing in 2024 that got Mike McCarthy fired by finishing this past season with a 7-9-1 record. However, the offensive side of the ball wasn’t the problem last year.
The addition of George Pickens helped the Cowboys average the second-most yards (391.9) and seventh-most points (27.7) a game in the league this past season. Unfortunately, despite scoring 30 or more points eight times, their defense was a debilitating weakness for them all year.
In 2025, the Cowboys’ defense finished dead last in passing yards given up (251.5) and points (30.1). Their secondary was absolutely putrid as it gave up big plays all the time. Upgrading the secondary in a major way will be a top priority this offseason, and a high-impact option is reportedly available.
Last week, it was revealed that the Miami Dolphins are shopping star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Ben Solak took a look at which big-name players could be moved this season, and, of course, the five-time Pro Bowler was on the list.
Dallas Cowboys linked to Minkah Fitzpatrick trade
“He is 29 years old and definitely slowing down, but he has plenty of high-level experience and a reputation as a strong locker room leader,” Graziano wrote. “The Dolphins have a new coaching staff and will be installing a new defense under incoming coach Jeff Hafley.
“It’s possible they’d need to pay down some of the salary to make a deal work, but they also could do the kind of player-for-player deal that brought them Fitzpatrick, last summer.”
Interestingly enough, Graziano and Solak listed the Cowboys among just two “Potential team fits” this offseason. Because of his experience and versatility, Fitzpatrick would be an outstanding addition to Dallas’ secondary. He is certainly on the front office’s radar. But there’s also a big problem.
The Dallas Cowboys have no salary cap space. Whatever they do to free up space, they seem laser-focused on using it to re-sign Pickens. So the only way they may have the space to add Fitzpatrick would be by letting Pickens walk in free agency.
They could also make a trade that means giving up a good player. But that is a risk, and Dallas has to have someone the Dolphins want back in return.
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