Dallas Cowboys Quiet at Trade Deadline; Cause for NFC Playoff Race Concern?

Dallas Cowboys Quiet at Trade Deadline; Cause for NFC Playoff Race Concern?

Pencils down. Hand in your test. The NFL trade deadline has officially passed.

The final opportunity for teams to significantly upgrade their rosters has come and gone, and the Dallas Cowboys sat on their hands, pleased with a 5-2 start to the season.

There were few deals that made much sense for Dallas, and even fewer that were going to truly increase the odds of bringing home a Super Bowl. That didn’t stop the other NFC contenders from buying, though.

Quarterback Dak Prescott being chased by Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick / USA TODAY Sports

Just days ago, the Philadelphia Eagles traded for star safety Kevin Byard to patch up holes in the back end. The San Francisco 49ers, who annihilated the Cowboys in Week 5, added to their dominant defensive line with Washington Commanders edge rusher Chase Young. Even the NFC’s second tier of contenders made moves, with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions adding defensive lineman Leonard Williams and receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, respectively.

It would be rash to suggest that not making a move was some abject failure of team-building. But peace of mind may be worth the cost of a late-round pick swap.

Dallas hadn’t shown the need nor the aggression to make a blockbuster move, but when legitimately good players are being moved for underwhelming draft capital – Young went for a third-round pick, Byard for Day 3 selections – it’s reasonable to be frustrated.

Sweat, Young, Dak

The Cowboys have an imperfect roster. Receiver Michael Gallup hasn’t looked remotely like the ball-winner he once was, the run game is unconvincing, and teams can never have enough depth. Even so, Dallas is (somewhat justifiably) content with what it has built.

“I’m not sitting here with my fingers crossed hoping we trade for somebody,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I believe in the guys we have in the locker room.”

None of these flaws are guaranteed to cost them a game come January, but falling short stings a little less when one does everything in their power to win. Dallas didn’t.

Of course, this isn’t the end of the world, the season, or even the race for first place in the NFC East. Winning Week 9’s date with Philadelphia could erase any concern the front office caused on Tuesday. Losing all but locks in a trip to someone else’s stadium on Wild Card weekend.

For sanity’s sake, let’s hope Byard doesn’t make a game-changing play on Sunday. And that down the line, Young doesn't do that for the Niners. And that Williams doesn't do that for the Seahawks. And that Peoples-Jones doesn't do that for the Lions.