Thursday night provided a crucial victory for the Dallas Cowboys, as they secured a 20-15 win that highlighted significant improvement compared to their previous two games. However, it also raised numerous questions that need addressing.
Across the roster and throughout the league, there are limited options to strengthen the team.
One suggestion circulating is the potential trade for Jets defensive end Haason Reddick.
The veteran player, now in his eighth year, has yet to see action this season due to ongoing contract disputes. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned that acquiring Reddick might not be feasible via trade because of cost considerations.
However, his analysis is only partially accurate.Currently, the Cowboys have $25 million in cap space, allowing them to absorb Reddick’s $14 million salary.
Yet, there are several caveats: first, Reddick is holding out for more than that salary from the Jets; second, trading for him would mean giving up assets for a temporary solution with a player in his 30s; and third, the Cowboys are unwilling to offer expensive long-term contracts to older players, which would contradict their strategic plans for 2025, often referred to as the “Blow It Up/Remodel” approach.
Reddick is seen as too old and costly, and he doesn’t quite measure up to being a foundational player alongside key talents like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and Tyler Smith.
Thus, Fowler’s assertion that Dallas “can’t” make this move is incorrect.
The Cowboys certainly “can,” but they will likely “choose” not to.Beyond financial considerations, acquiring Reddick would be unwise for the Cowboys’ defense.
As Dallas evaluates external options, this process must be handled with care, especially since the defense is still integrating into Mike Zimmer’s system.
While Reddick would undoubtedly boost the defense’s talent level, he may not fit well within the current system, and there’s uncertainty about when he could even take the field due to his contract issues.
Additionally, acquiring Reddick could result in wasting valuable assets for a short-term fix.
With Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence expected to return later in the season, the question arises:
where would Reddick fit when both are back?This situation presents the Cowboys with an opportunity to assess their current edge players.
While Parsons is likely to receive a substantial extension this offseason, Lawrence might be departing Dallas if his contract demands aren’t met.
This opens the door for players like Marshawn Kneeland and Chauncey Golston to step up and potentially take on larger roles within the defense, allowing the team to explore depth behind their star players.
Overall, there are significant doubts regarding the fit, style, and necessity of bringing in a player like Reddick to the Cowboys’ defense.
If Dallas decides to pursue external options for its edge positions, they should consider alternatives rather than targeting the veteran defensive end.
