Cowboys reportedly – The Dallas Cowboys did not reportedly pursue Myles Garrett or Jadeveon Clowney this offseason, even as they keep stacking moves to fix a defense that finished last season giving up 377 yards per game. Cleveland’s blockbuster trade sending Garrett to the Los An
For Dallas fans, the news landed with a familiar edge: the Cowboys didn’t try to bring Myles Garrett back into the division—even as the league’s biggest defensive headline kept turning toward the NFC contender.
Since last season. Dallas has been upgrading its defense through a steady run of trades. free-agent signings. and draft decisions. including acquiring linebacker Rashad Gary from the Green Bay Packers. But when the Cleveland Browns moved earlier this week and traded Garrett—an arrangement that instantly amplified the Los Angeles Rams—Dallas reportedly didn’t get involved in any discussions about bringing the seven-time Pro Bowler back.
The Cowboys “have not expressed an interest” in bringing back Jadeveon Clowney either, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer’s report. Clowney led Dallas with 8.5 sacks last season, a production level that already felt like a breakthrough for a team trying to push through its defensive limitations.
Garrett, meanwhile, entered the offseason at a different stratosphere. He led the league and set the new single-season record with 23 sacks. The Browns then traded him to the Rams, making an already serious NFC presence even more complicated to plan against.
In exchange for Garrett. Cleveland received 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. a 2027 first-round pick. a 2028 second-round pick. and a 2029 third-round pick. Verse. a two-time Pro Bowler. is viewed as the kind of defensive centerpiece who could grow into a replacement for the popular Garrett.
The Garrett trade didn’t change the Cowboys’ offseason focus so much as it clarified it. Dallas pushed other pieces into place instead—boosting the secondary and pass rush with the Gary acquisition from Green Bay, plus signings of safety P.J. Locker and cornerback Cobie Durant.
In the NFL Draft, Dallas leaned hard into defense. The Cowboys used both of their first-round picks on that side of the ball: selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 and UCLA defensive end Malachi Lawrence at No. 23. They also added more edge-rushing options in later rounds. including Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham and Alabama’s LT Overton—moves that point to one clear priority.
Even so. the Cowboys’ restraint on Garrett—and their lack of reported interest in Clowney’s return—stands out against the numbers from last season. when their offense carried them while their defense struggled to keep up. Dallas averaged 266.3 passing yards per game. supported by Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott and receivers including George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Overall, the Cowboys averaged 391.9 yards of offense per game, second only to the Rams. They ranked fifth in the league in points per game, averaging 27.7.
Defensively, the picture was far less forgiving. Dallas gave up 377 yards per game, the third-worst mark in the league. The biggest problem was pass defense, allowing 251.5 yards per game.
All of the offseason changes now land on a single test: can Dallas turn its defensive overhaul into something that holds up when opponents start attacking the same weakness again and again?
At least in the betting markets, the answer isn’t guaranteed. The Cowboys sit around 15th at some sportsbooks to win the Super Bowl in 2027, with a projected win total of 9.5. Last season, Dallas won only seven games and missed the postseason.
But if their offense stays steady—anchored by Prescott and the receiving corps—and their defense improves from the kind of yards they surrendered last year. Dallas could slide back toward contention in the NFC Playoffs. The Rams just got Garrett. Dallas just went a different direction—one it hopes ends with the same destination.
Dallas Cowboys Myles Garrett Cleveland Browns Los Angeles Rams Jadeveon Clowney Rashad Gary P.J. Locker Cobie Durant Caleb Downs Malachi Lawrence Jaishawn Barham LT Overton Dak Prescott NFL offseason
Cowboys really said nah to Myles Garrett? That’s wild.
I don’t get it, you’d think they’d want the guy with the most sacks. But then again maybe they’re scared of the drama or the contract stuff? Either way our defense better not keep giving up 377 a game.
So Jared Verse is supposed to replace Garrett like instantly? Like okay cool, but it took Garrett like 12 minutes to get 23 sacks or whatever. Also Todd Archer said no interest in Clowney too… isn’t Clowney basically already proven? Seems like they’re gambling on trades and draft picks again.
Sounds like Browns traded Garrett to the Rams and Dallas just sat there watching like always. Defense rebuild continues… meaning we’ll hear that phrase until 2026 lol. And 2027/2028/2029 picks?? I mean who cares about 2029 if the team can’t stop anyone next season. Also I swear they traded for Gary already so maybe they’re just trying to copy-paste a pass rush?