The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL offseason with high expectations of making a big move or two in pursuit of getting back into Super Bowl contention.
Early on, Jerry Jones and company were heavily linked as a trade suitor for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. They were also connected to potentially pursuing Trey Hendrickson in NFL free agency.
So far, no major move has been made. The Cowboys have added pieces like pass rusher Rashan Gary, safety Jalen Thompson, and cornerback Cobie Durant. Those pieces won’t move the needle too much when it comes to pursuing a championship.
That being said, another opportunity may have become available.
A new report from a Steelers insider suggests that Dallas could now consider making a push to trade for Pittsburgh Steelers superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt.
Cowboys Might Have Opening to Pursue T.J. Watt Trade
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has suggested that Pittsburgh could consider trading a pass rusher ahead of Nick Herbig. That would leave Watt and Alex Highsmith as potential trade candidates.
Moving on from a player like Watt would be a very hard decision to make. However, the Steelers could view trading him as a way to open up financial flexibility.
Should Watt be placed on the trade block, the Cowboys would make perfect sense as a trade partner.
Jones has never shied away from making a blockbuster move when an opportunity is presented. Bringing in a longtime superstar like Watt would have to intrigue him.
T.J. Watt Would Instantly Boost Dallas’ Championship Chances
During the 2025 NFL season with the Steelers, Watt played in 14 games. He racked up 55 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and eight defended passes.
Throughout his 135 games over the course of nine years, Watt has totaled 517 tackles, 115 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, nine interceptions, and 58 defended passes.
Few defenders in the NFL are capable of making the kind of impact that Watt can make. He is now 31 years old, which could be a cause for concern depending on the price tag, but Watt still has some good football left in him to be played.
What would it take to acquire Watt? More than likely, it would take a first-round pick and more. There is a chance that Pittsburgh could demand two first-round picks for him.
It’s possible that the Steelers would have no interest in trading Watt. However, the report from Dulac certainly brings up the idea of Pittsburgh being open to moving on from him.
For a Cowboys team still searching for that missing defensive piece to push them over the top, the possibility of landing T.J. Watt represents one of the most intriguing — and potentially transformative — developments of the entire offseason. Whether Dallas ultimately pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but the door, at least for now, appears to have cracked open.
