The Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Friday, waiving veteran linebacker Logan Wilson barely three months after acquiring him from the Cincinnati Bengals in one of the more under-the-radar trades at the 2026 deadline.

The decision stunned many inside and outside the organization, not because Wilson had played at an elite level, but because of the abruptness with which Dallas chose to end the experiment after making a midseason investment.

The Cowboys clarified that the move will save the team approximately $6.5 million in salary cap space — a significant factor as Dallas navigates a difficult offseason filled with contractual decisions and cap-related maneuvering.

For a franchise trying to remain competitive in the NFC while restructuring its defensive identity, financial flexibility became more valuable than holding onto a veteran who never fully integrated into their system.

Wilson entered Dallas with strong credentials, having recorded four consecutive 100-tackle seasons in Cincinnati from 2021 through 2024, building a reputation as one of the league’s most consistent and instinctive second-level defenders.

His production and leadership made him a key fixture of the Bengals defense, and he was widely seen as a high-IQ linebacker capable of diagnosing plays, handling coverage responsibilities, and elevating teammates around him.

However, after arriving in Dallas for a 2026 seventh-round pick, Wilson never delivered the impact the Cowboys envisioned, struggling to find a consistent role in Dan Quinn’s former scheme and later in the transitional system that followed.

In seven games with the Cowboys, Wilson registered just 24 tackles and one forced fumble, a far cry from the playmaking and high-volume tackling that defined his tenure in Cincinnati.

Wilson’s diminished role became even more evident in Week 17, when he did not receive a single defensive snap against the Washington Commanders — a clear sign the coaching staff no longer viewed him as an integral contributor.

The veteran linebacker finished the 2025 season with 70 total tackles across 15 games between the Bengals and Cowboys, starting just eight times and losing the trust of both coaching staffs by year’s end.

His decline began even before the trade, as Cincinnati reduced his responsibilities and eventually removed him from his starting role, prompting the organization to move him at the deadline in search of younger defensive talent.

Still, few expected his stint in Dallas to be this brief, especially given his leadership background and the durability he displayed throughout his earlier seasons.

Wilson originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick in 2020, but he quickly outperformed his draft position, emerging as a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s defense and helping propel the franchise to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season.

He led the entire postseason with 39 tackles during that run and delivered pivotal plays in each round, showcasing a combination of sideline-to-sideline range, disciplined gap control, and underrated ball skills.

That same season, Wilson recorded four interceptions — the first of two campaigns in which he reached that mark — demonstrating his value as a modern linebacker capable of thriving in both run support and coverage.

Across 83 career games and 66 starts, Wilson has accumulated 565 tackles, 11 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, and 5.5 sacks, reinforcing his reputation as a steady and intelligent defender.

Now a free agent, Wilson immediately becomes a name to watch, particularly for the Buffalo Bills, who have long shown interest and were rumored to pursue him before Cincinnati sent him to Dallas at the trade deadline.

There is also a personal connection fueling speculation: Wilson played his college career at Wyoming, where he was teammates with Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen, forming a bond that continues to this day.

Buffalo has a history of targeting players with established chemistry alongside Allen, and their linebacker depth remains an area of concern heading into a pivotal offseason under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.

With several veteran defenders nearing contract decisions and the Bills facing schematic adjustments under Leonhard’s system, adding a smart, experienced linebacker like Wilson could provide much-needed stability.

Buffalo’s defense is undergoing significant transformation as the team transitions into Leonhard’s approach, which prioritizes disguised coverages, flexible sub-packages, and linebackers capable of reading offenses quickly and making instinctive adjustments.

Wilson thrives in precisely that type of environment, making him a natural fit for a Bills defense that values communication, leadership, and football intelligence from its middle-tier defenders.

The Bills have struggled with defensive consistency in recent seasons, dealing with injuries, depth concerns, and an aging core — factors that make Wilson’s experience and processing speed especially attractive as Buffalo recalibrates.

Adding Wilson would also help maintain continuity alongside holdovers who are familiar with Allen’s leadership style and the culture Sean McDermott spent years building in Buffalo.

At 29 years old, Wilson still has plenty of productive football ahead, and teams in need of linebacking help may view him as a low-risk, high-IQ veteran capable of anchoring a unit or providing steady snaps in a rotational role.

While he is no longer the ascending star he once was in Cincinnati, his résumé and postseason success make him a strong candidate for a second-act resurgence in the right environment.

The question now becomes: what does Wilson want in his next destination — stability, scheme fit, or a chance to rekindle his peak form with a team that knows how to utilize his strengths?

Buffalo checks several of those boxes, and the Wyoming connection adds another layer of appeal that few organizations can match.

Wherever Wilson lands, his next chapter will be watched closely, not because he is a headline-grabbing superstar, but because he is a proven leader looking for the right opportunity to reset his career.

For the Cowboys, the waiver was a financial and schematic decision; for the Bills, it could be an unexpected opportunity to shore up their linebacker unit with a familiar, dependable presence.

One thing is certain: Logan Wilson may no longer be a Cowboy, but his story in the NFL is far from over — and the Bills may very well be the team ready to help him write the next winning chapter.