Cowboys Trade Rumors: Jalen Ramsey Emerges as Top Target After Defensive Collapse

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason facing an uncomfortable truth: one of the league’s most expensive defenses was also one of its worst. After finishing 30th in the NFL in total team defense, nearly every level of the Cowboys’ defensive unit is under review following one of the most embarrassing seasons in recent memory.

For years, Dallas believed cornerback was the one position it didn’t need to worry about. Massive contracts were handed out, draft capital was spent, and expectations were high. But heading into 2026, even that once-secure position group suddenly looks unstable — and that’s why Jalen Ramsey has re-entered the Cowboys’ orbit.

Cornerback Was Supposed to Be a Strength

The Cowboys invested nearly $200 million combined in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland over the past few seasons, betting that elite talent and long-term deals would lock down the secondary.

That plan has unraveled quickly.

Diggs was released late in the season after a series of off-field and on-field issues, bringing an abrupt end to his time in Dallas. Bland, meanwhile, has struggled to stay healthy, missing 15 games over the past two seasons due to recurring injuries. While still talented, his availability has become a major concern.

As a result, a unit that was once considered a strength has become one of the Cowboys’ most pressing needs.

Jalen Ramsey Linked to Dallas Once Again

According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, the Cowboys are once again being linked to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, an eight-time Pro Bowler and one of the most decorated defensive players of his generation.

“Dallas always seems to come up when Jalen Ramsey is on the move,” Ballentine wrote. “The pairing again makes sense.”

Ramsey spent just one season with the Steelers after being traded from the Miami Dolphins in June 2025, and Pittsburgh could be motivated to move him due to salary-cap flexibility. Trading Ramsey would free up significant space for the Steelers — though Dallas would have its own financial hurdles to clear.

Contract and Cap Implications

Ramsey is owed $19.5 million in 2025 and has already earned approximately $144.7 million over his career. Any trade would require the Cowboys to restructure his deal or move money around, something Dallas has struggled with in recent years.

Still, the appeal is obvious.

Even as Ramsey enters the later stages of his career, he remains versatile, experienced, and productive — traits the Cowboys’ defense sorely lacks.

From Elite Corner to Versatile Defender

Once considered the gold standard at cornerback, Ramsey was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly became one of the NFL’s most feared cover men. He earned two First-Team All-Pro selections, made eight Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2021 season.

While he may no longer be at his absolute peak as a shutdown corner, Ramsey proved in 2025 that he can still thrive in a different role.

The Steelers transitioned Ramsey to safety, and the move paid off. He earned Pro Bowl honors after posting:

• 88 tackles

• 3.0 sacks

• 1 interception

• 8 pass deflections

That versatility could be key for Dallas.

A Solution at Multiple Positions

Ballentine noted that if Ramsey wants to move back to cornerback, the Cowboys have a clear need there. But even if he remains at safety, Dallas could still benefit.

The Cowboys struggled mightily with communication, tackling, and coverage breakdowns in the secondary throughout 2025. Ramsey’s football IQ, physicality, and leadership could help stabilize a defense that often looked lost.

Even if he’s “starting to slow down,” as Ballentine suggested, Ramsey would immediately become one of the Cowboys’ most reliable defensive backs.

Cowboys’ 2025 Draft Gamble Looks Risky

Dallas hoped the answer at cornerback might come from the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cowboys selected East Carolina CB Shavon Revel in the third round (No. 76 overall), believing they had secured first-round value.

That optimism faded quickly.

Revel was slow to recover from an ACL injury suffered in his final college season, missing the first nine games of his rookie year. When he finally returned, he struggled mightily, often appearing overwhelmed at the NFL level.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski was blunt in his December evaluation.

“Opponents have continually targeted the Cowboys’ rookie cornerback in recent weeks,” Sobleski wrote. “It’s never a good sign when a cornerback leads his squad in tackles.”

Despite leading the team in tackles during one game, Revel’s weaknesses as a tackler were exposed, most notably in a late-season loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

At one point, he was even labeled the team’s “Biggest Loser” following that defeat.

Why a Veteran Like Ramsey Makes Sense

With young players struggling and veterans unavailable or unreliable, the Cowboys may need to pivot toward a proven solution. Ramsey offers:

• Experience in multiple defensive schemes

• Positional flexibility at corner or safety

• Playoff and Super Bowl pedigree

• Leadership in a fractured locker room

For a team desperate to rebound defensively in 2026, taking a calculated risk on Ramsey may be more appealing than hoping internal development suddenly clicks.

Final Outlook

The Cowboys’ defensive collapse has forced hard conversations this offseason, and no position group is immune. What once looked like a loaded secondary is now one of the roster’s biggest question marks.

If Dallas is serious about rebuilding its defense — not just reshuffling it — Jalen Ramsey could be the type of bold, headline-grabbing move that signals real change.

Whether the Cowboys can make the numbers work is another question. But given their current state, standing still may be the bigger risk.