The Dallas Cowboys’ defense, once defined by the ferocious energy of Micah Parsons, is entering a new era — and it’s coming with a hefty price tag. After sending Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark, the Cowboys created one of the biggest shocks of the 2025 NFL offseason. Now, with the trade deadline looming on November 4, whispers around the league suggest Dallas could be preparing another blockbuster move — this time targeting an answer to their biggest defensive question.

According to Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, one bold prediction for the 2025 NFL trade deadline is that the New York Jets will trade edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Cowboys. The move would reunite Dallas with an elite pass-rusher, a “machine” capable of anchoring the defense and reigniting the spark lost with Parsons’ departure.

Johnson, a 2022 first-round pick, has shown flashes of dominance when healthy. He notched a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023, showcasing speed, power, and versatility that fits perfectly into Dan Quinn’s defensive philosophy — or now, the new system in Dallas post-Parsons. Despite suffering a torn Achilles that cost him most of last season, Johnson remains one of the league’s most promising young defenders.

But such a move wouldn’t come cheap. The Jets have already exercised Johnson’s fifth-year option, guaranteeing him $13.4 million in 2026, per Spotrac. That’s a number the Cowboys would need to absorb — all while negotiating a potential long-term extension. It’s a high-stakes gamble for a team that just refused to commit big money to Parsons.

Gagnon notes that the Cowboys’ front office could face déjà vu: “The Cowboys couldn’t lock Parsons into a long-term deal and would be immediately placed in a similar scenario with Johnson.” Yet, with the NFC East becoming increasingly competitive — and the Philadelphia Eagles still flexing one of the league’s deepest rosters — Dallas may feel pressure to make a splash.

Still, the trade seems unlikely for now. Johnson himself dismissed rumors, telling reporters on October 23 that he received “clarity” from the Jets’ front office and feels valued in New York. “I’m definitely wanted here, and I want to stay here,” he told ESPN. “That’s been understood. Hence the tweet.”

Even so, the idea of Johnson donning the star on his helmet is tantalizing. His combination of speed, length, and relentless pursuit could restore the Cowboys’ defensive identity. A $13.4 million “machine” from an AFC contender to replace the departed Parsons? That’s the kind of headline that reshapes divisions — and possibly the NFC playoff picture.

For now, it’s just speculation. But if Jerry Jones decides to pull the trigger, the Cowboys could turn their biggest offseason loss into a bold new beginning — and the NFC East might never look the same again.