Cowboys Acquire LB Logan Wilson to Bolster Defense Ahead of Playoff Push

The Dallas Cowboys made headlines as they secured linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in a high-profile move just ahead of the NFL’s 2025 trade deadline. The acquisition, confirmed by multiple team sources and reported by The Athletic, ends days of speculation fueled by Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who hinted at a major defensive addition after a difficult home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. After their 27-17 defeat to Arizona on “Monday Night Football,” Dallas dropped to 3-5-1, intensifying pressure to address glaring defensive issues. The Cowboys, while boasting the NFL’s second-highest scoring offense (30.8 points per game), have struggled on the other side of the ball, surrendering 31.3 points per game—second-most in the league. This rare statistical split has historically spelled trouble for playoff aspirations, as no team has ever reached the postseason while allowing 30+ points per game. Jerry Jones, speaking candidly on both local radio and postgame press conferences, maintained that trade talks were progressing regardless of the disappointing loss. He explained his reluctance to divulge specifics, citing competitive reasons and past experiences where deals fell through at the last minute. However, he assured fans that the move would address key shortcomings without compromising the team’s future: “You won’t be disappointed that I didn’t get carried away or get all illogical and do something that was all betting on us winning the Super Bowl,” Jones stated, emphasizing a measured approach. The focus on Logan Wilson as a trade target made sense given the Bengals’ shift toward a younger linebacker corps and Wilson’s proven productivity. Wilson, under contract for two more seasons, brings not only experience but also a skillset that should immediately upgrade a Dallas linebacker unit depleted by injuries and inconsistent play. His 46 tackles this year and history of back-to-back 100+ tackle seasons provide a statistical foundation for the Cowboys’ bet on defensive improvement. The trade deadline saw Dallas linked to other defensive standouts as well, including Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb, but ultimately it was Wilson who became the centerpiece of their midseason overhaul. The move follows an earlier blockbuster deal in which Dallas sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay, further underscoring the franchise’s willingness to reshape its defense on the fly. With a bye week ahead, Wilson will have time to integrate into Dan Quinn’s system, offering hope that the Cowboys can reverse their defensive slide and keep playoff hopes alive in a tightly packed NFC. As the dust settles on the 2025 NFL trade deadline, all eyes will be on how quickly and effectively this new addition can help stabilize a once-proud Dallas defense. For more on the Cowboys’ trade strategy and the latest league moves, visit the 2025 NFL trade deadline live tracker and follow updates from @dallascowboys on Twitter.