When Dan Quinn left the Dallas Cowboys to be the head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2024, he took players and coaches with him. A lot of them. From coach Joe Whitt Jr.and others to defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., wide receiver Noah Brown, and center Tyler Biadasz, Quinn did not shy away from getting a division rival’s player on his team.

Now, it may be time for the Cowboys to flip the script. The Cowboys have a well-documented need at both inside and outside linebacker heading into the 2026 season, and two former Commanders veterans sitting in free agency could provide the answer.

Bobby Wagner fills the Cowboys’ biggest defensive hole

The Cowboys are betting on DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters to be the starting linebackers in 2026, but neither has been a true middle linebacker (or MIKE) before in their careers. Both are better-suited to play weakside linebacker. They’re rangy, they can cover sideline to sideline, and they play well in coverage. The questions surround physicality and run-stopping if they are asked to take on middle linebacker responsibilities. 

Wagner, even at 36 years old, would fill that role nicely.

Insider Nick Harris from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently shared what he called a “reckless theory” about why the Cowboys may already have a deal in place with a veteran linebacker to come in after training camp. Harris pointed to the precedent of Dallas signing a veteran after camp, suggesting Wagner could be someone who doesn’t want to go through the grind at this stage of his career.

That said, it would be unusual for the Cowboys to bring in a starting middle linebacker after OTAs and minicamp if that player needs to learn Christian Parker’s defense from scratch. Given Wagner’s experience across multiple schemes throughout his lengthy NFL career, the learning curve may not be as steep as it would be for most players.

Von Miller inserts himself into the conversation

Option No. 2 got a lot more interesting on Wednesday when Von Miller posted a picture of himself in a Cowboys jersey and helmet on his Instagram account, sparking conversation about a potential move to Dallas. Miller also said in an interview that he would like to play for the Cowboys in 2026—citing business interests as part of the reasons why. 

Miller is a free agent after recording nine sacks for the Commanders last season. He’s not the All-Pro player he once was, but he doesn’t need to be. The Cowboys need a rotational pass rusher who can enter the field on obvious passing situations. Miller played 37% of Washington’s defensive snaps last year, and that kind of role is exactly what Dallas needs given the unproven depth in its pass-rushing ranks.

There’s also a connection worth mentioning. Miller and Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker were both in Denver in 2021. It wasn’t the longest overlap, but they know each other, and Miller has played in that style of scheme before.

The Cowboys should make these calls

Neither Wagner nor Miller is the dominant force they were at their peaks. That’s fine. The Cowboys don’t need peak versions of these players. They need a proven Mike linebacker who can anchor the middle of Parker’s defense (or at least provide much-needed depth), and they need a veteran pass rusher who can provide reliable snaps behind their young edge group.

Quinn didn’t hesitate to poach Cowboys talent when he left for Washington. Dallas shouldn’t hesitate to return the favor. For now, we wait to see if the front office agrees.