The defeat of the Dallas Cowboys against the Denver Broncos in Week 8 has put any serious discussion about a blockbuster trade before the NFL deadline. It was rumored that they would acquire defensive stars such as Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson, but this loss showed deeper defensive issues that could not be addressed through just one trade.
Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams assistant coach Mike LaFleur and head coach Sean McVay congratulate wide receiver Brennan Presley (81) after a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Cowboys were second in the NFL with the highest scoring offense, with a total of 6.1 yards per play. They weakened their defense and were ranked 30th in scoring defense by giving up 29.4 points per game. These were obvious defensive issues in Denver.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has acknowledged that he does not have the right players to run his scheme effectively. This mismatch and ongoing defensive issues have fueled talk about Eberflus’s future. However, a coaching change midseason seems unlikely. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s approach to trade decisions, often excluding coaching input, has also drawn criticism.
While Dallas reportedly inquired about acquiring elite defenders such as Crosby and Hendrickson, insiders doubt a single major trade could fix the defensive issues. Jones seems focused on long-term solutions, opting to accumulate draft picks and manage salary cap space rather than making impulsive moves.
Jones’s reluctance to incorporate his coaches’ feedback in trades is well known. Eberflus himself highlighted this by saying, “Listen to Jerry.” Given the unresolved defensive challenges, this top-down control has raised doubts about the efficacy of trade deadline strategies.
Recently, Jones praised head coach Brian Schottenheimer for his influence on the defense, notably omitting Eberflus.
> Reflecting on Schottenheimer’s dedication, Jones said, “He’s so engaged and so appreciative of his chance to be doing this that I believe he would spend 36 hours a day if he needed to. Give him a lot of credit here.”
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ trade deadline mindset remains cautious. Faced with buying short-term help or selling assets for rebuilding, any panic trade appears unlikely.