The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers have engaged on a couple of high-profile trades over the last year. As the Cowboys try to figure out a way to find a starting-caliber linebacker, I wonder if they would consider a third.

Their trade history is well-known. In 2025, the Packers landed star EDGE Micah Parsons in a deal that also sent DT Kenny Clark to Dallas. Recently, the Cowboys acquired EDGE Rashan Gary as one of their biggest moves in free agency.

The deal we’re proposing this time is much more of a low-profile one, but it could help the Cowboys solve their biggest problem right now: The lack of a middle linebacker.

Packers have a LB trade candidate

Last week, the Cowboys were reportedly in the mix for many of the the top free agent linebackers, including Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, and even Devin Lloyd. They missed on all three of them. So now, their challenge is to find a starting-caliber LB before the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll likely pick one as well.

The problem? Free agents who are still available come with either age concerns or performance question marks. The Packers may have a solution in none other than Isaiah McDuffie, a 26-year-old linebacker who has become a significant player for Green Bay.

Though not a full-time starter, McDuffie has shown that he can fill the role the Cowboys need the most: A middle linebacker.

McDuffie can be a Mike

A sixth-round pick originally used primarily on special teams, Isaiah McDuffie carved a real defensive role over the past three years in Green Bay — but particularly in 2024 and 2025, when he played for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was his head coach at Boston College.

At first, though, the Packers had De’Vondre Campbell as the Mike, then tried to force Quay Walker into that spot. McDuffie was never a full-time defensive starter, but he played more than 1,700 defensive snaps over the past three years, many of them replacing the first options with the green dot.

“McDuffie was outstanding in those two games that he played Mike linebacker,” Hafley said last December. “One, I think the communication and the ability to take the call from myself and get the guys lined up and make adjustments with him throughout the game. It was almost like I was up in the booth.”

Throughout his career, McDuffie has had some issues in coverage, but he’s solid against the run and an above average tackler.

“The guy’s as tough as they come,” Hafley added. “He’s going to give everything he has on every single play for his teammates and for his coaches and for the Packers, and he’s physical and he knocks guys backward and he’s solid in the run game and he’s just a fighter. I love the guy. I think he’s got the respect of every person in this organization and he’s going to continue to play a lot of football for us.”

The Packers certainly feel comfortable keeping McDuffie on the roster, but if the right offer arises, they may be willing to move him — a fifth-round seems plausible. The team recently lost Quay Walker in free agency, but replaced him trading for Zaire Franklin — who’s projected to be the starting Mike.

McDuffie signed a two-year extension last offseason coming off his rookie contract, and now he’s under contract through 2026 for $4.975 million.

What’s the right offer?

Considering McDuffie is not a defensive cornerstone for the Packers, a Day 3 pick should be enough for the Cowboys to get him.

However, since they’re not in a rush to move on from him, there’s a good chance they’d need to give up at least fifth-round pick in return. The good news? The Cowboys have three of those heading into April, including two compensatory picks.

This would be an out-of-the-box solution for the Cowboys, and one that is a long shot, but it’s worth exploring

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