The Cowboys are witnessing a big opportunity pass them by following the latest insider intel around the NFL
The Cowboys aren’t involved with a key free agent despite trade activity.
The Dallas Cowboys got busy on Tuesday by making an inexpensive trade for LB Logan Wilson and a blockbuster one for All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams — the latter featuring a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and DT Mazi Smith.
The additions combine for two players who can be immediate starters on the Cowboys’ defense, which is ranked 31st in EPA/play heading into the bye week. But it’s that last number that leaves fans wanting more. Which is why I thought it was relevant when NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is set to visit after being recently cleared to play.
Per Fowler, the Cowboys are apparently not on that list. Instead, Samuel is visiting the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and Pittsburgh Steelers before the end of next week.
Samuel Jr. was considered one of the top free agents in the NFL earlier this year, but a spinal fusion surgery knocked him out of the running. Now that he’s back, he’s drawing the attention of multiple teams. So why is Dallas not in the mix? Let’s start with the obvious.
The Cowboys’ playoff hopes are close to zero percent
Right now, the Cowboys need to go 7-1 to get to 10 wins, the non-official total to make the postseason. Last year, the 10-win Seattle Seahawks missed the playoffs, so it doesn’t seem like anything less than that will get them there. FTN projects their playoff chances at 6.9%. Not nice, but probably accurate.
In other words, this team wasn’t thinking about 2025 when it made multiple trades on Tuesday. It was all about 2026 and beyond (and yes, likely to get fans excited again and control the narrative). Why would they spend the money on Samuel when he’s probably going to look for a one-year deal to prove his worth following his surgery?
And on the flip side, all the teams Samuel Jr. is set to visit have winning records, except for the Vikings (4-4). Even if Dallas was interested in him, I imagine the feeling wouldn’t be mutual.
It is what it is. For now, the Cowboys are seeing the opportunity to get a starting-caliber cornerback pass them by, even though they could really use it.
This story was originally published in A to Z Sports Dallas Cowboys, as The Cowboys are witnessing a big opportunity pass them by following the latest insider intel around the NFL
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