Jerry Jones stated on Monday one trade was in place with more deals being worked on. Dallas has in fact finalized at least one swap ahead of the deadline. 
Linebacker Logan Wilson is being dealt from the Bengals to the Cowboys, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Wilson’s trade request has thus been honored, and this swap should allow him to return to full-time playing duties. Cincinnati is receiving a 2026 seventh-round pick, Rapoport adds. The deal is now official.
Today’s news comes as little surprise on a number of levels. Dallas was among the teams known to have shown interest in Wilson, whose entire career has taken place with the Bengals. Each season from 2021-24, the 29-year-old reached or surpassed 100 tackles while operating as a full-time starter. This year, however, Wilson has seen a sharp reduction in playing time. That made him one of the members of Cincinnati’s beleaguered defense to request a change of scenery.
Wilson inked a $9MM-per-year extension in 2023, and his contract runs through 2027 with no major spikes in cap hit scheduled for future years. No contract adjustments were made as part of this agreement, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. As a result, Dallas – a team which entered Tuesday with over $30MM in cap space and was not only looking into rentals – will take on the remaining $2.68MM in Wilson’s compensation for this year. This move clears that figure from the Bengals’ books in 2025, although the team will have a $4MM dead cap charge next season.
Last night’s loss dropped the Cowboys to 3-5-1 on the year. Defense has been an issue throughout the campaign, and making an addition anywhere on that side of the ball should produce at least an incremental improvement. Jones’ remarks from Monday indicated the acquired player in the then-mystery swap would see the field immediately. That means Wilson will add to his 65 career starts once his Cowboys tenure begins. Dallas will also receive notable reinforcements at the second level when DeMarvion Overshown is activated.
Cincinnati’s Joe Flacco acquisition has stabilized the quarterback spot as hoped. As Joe Burrow continues to recover, though, the team’s poor showings on defense have led to questions about the realistic chances of a playoff berth. The Bengals are 3-6 heading into their bye. No staffing changes will take place, but attention will turn to the possibility of this move being followed by others on the trade front today.
With Wilson no longer in the fold, Cincinnati’s linebacking corps will lean increasingly on a group featuring rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. Those two have not fared well early in their careers, but their ability to develop over time will be key in bringing about needed improvements on defense. Wilson, meanwhile, will look to establish himself as a consistent playmaker with his new team while the Cowboys continue to explore other additions.
How ,bout dem Cowboys? Should have made this trade 48 hours earlier
It’s too late the cowboy season is over
I have heard of this guy but dont know much about em. Lb is a problem so he will start right away.. Heck everything is a problem..Has to be the coordinator right?!!
He goes from the worst defense to the second worst defense. Wow…
They needed a DE and Jones gets a LB. Typical.
Why? Their season is over.
You get only a 7th while taking on dead cap hits. How desperate or stupid is that. Don’t answer that.
You get rid of a piece that doesn’t have a future in your organization. Plus, never discount the Brown family wanting to save a penny.
I just don’t see how this makes the Cowboys better? Have they seen the Cincinnati defense?
Bengals making Jerry Jones look sorta smart…LOL
Well he got benched on the worst defense in the league. Nuff said
Was it a problem with his play or maybe a relationship issue. When the defense started going belly up, they didn’t even attempt to bring him onto the field.