Cowboys Acquire Logan Wilson: A Move to Strengthen Defense Before Trade Deadline

The Dallas Cowboys are showing their determination to enhance their struggling defense by finalizing a trade for Logan Wilson, the linebacker previously with the Cincinnati Bengals. This acquisition comes on the heels of a disappointing home loss to the Cardinals, pushing the Cowboys’ record down to 3-5-1.

Reasons Behind the Trade

• Trade Details: Dallas will give up a seventh-round pick to acquire Wilson, who expressed dissatisfaction with his decreasing playing time in Cincinnati.
• Defensive Needs: The Cowboys’ defense is currently allowing an alarming 30.8 points per game, ranking them among the worst in the league. Wilson, who has two years left on his contract, aims to bolster this faltering unit.

Reaction from Team and Legends

Before the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted at a confirmed trade deal, reportedly alluding to Wilson. Notably, during a live broadcast, legendary quarterback Troy Aikman questioned the impact of adding “one player” to an underperforming defense, expressing skepticism during a challenging moment for the Cowboys.

"He may want to cancel that trade," Aikman remarked. "I don’t think one player… is going to make a difference for this group."

Current State of the Cowboys’ Defense

The Cowboys are feeling the sting of a defensive lineup that has struggled significantly since trading Micah Parsons to the Packers. With their defense resembling a "folding chair" against opposing offenses, the urgency for reinforcements became evident.

• Impact of Recent Losses: Having lost to the Cardinals, who previously suffered five straight defeats, the Cowboys are in a precarious position. Their next matchup is crucial; they aim to reverse their fortunes when they meet the Raiders in Week 11.

Potential for More Trades

As the NFL trade deadline looms, Jones indicated that more moves could be on the horizon:

"We certainly have made a trade and we may make a couple more trades before the deadline,” he stated on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

This has raised fans’ hopes for further improvements to the defense. However, skepticism persists among analysts regarding the possibility of significant enhancement, given the notorious difficulty in turning around a struggling defensive unit during the trade period.

Stats and Future Outlook for Logan Wilson

Logan Wilson, drafted in the third round in 2020, has produced solid stats over his career:

• Total Tackles: He averaged 100 tackles over the previous four seasons.
• Recent Performance: In eight games this season, he recorded 19 solo tackles and managed one fumble recovery but lost his starting spot in Week 8.

Wilson recently signed a four-year extension worth up to $37.25 million, solidifying his future with the Cowboys. While he won’t debut immediately due to a bye week, expectations will be high for his first game against the Raiders.

Conclusion

The Cowboys are actively addressing their defensive issues as they aim for a turnaround after a disappointing start to the season. By acquiring Logan Wilson, Dallas hopes to inject new life into a beleaguered defense. The coming weeks will be critical for both Wilson and the Cowboys as they attempt to regain their standing in the league.

For more information and insights on NFL trades, visit the NFL’s official site.