It is an odd thing that we can be here heading into the workout portion of the NFL offseason, with the Cowboys sizing up a defensive roster that has improved dramatically and yet still feels flimsy at the one spot it appeared Dallas was determined to strengthen–inside linebacker. Making it even more odd is the fact that it appears a simple and affordable answer is still just sitting on the free-agent market, and yet the two sides have not come together to solve their common problem. The Cowboys need a solid backstop of a linebacker. Bobby Wagner needs a job.
Why has this not happened? It would appear the Cowboys still have a need and Wagner still has ability. You’d have to figure that the Cowboys could ask Wagner to play any type of role they could come up with for him, and he’d do so willingly, especially if it helped firm up this defense. After all, Wagner is not only a good locker room guy–he was the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
To ice it all, Wagner, who was was with the Commanders last year, played in Seattle while Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator there, and Schottenheimer speaks glowingly of Wagner.
Cowboys and Bobby Wagner Appear to be a ‘Perfect Match’
This was a valid point brought up by Brandon Loree of the Cowboys site Blogging the Boys. Wrote Loree on Twitter/X, “I don’t know why, but I can’t get how Brian Schottenheimer talks about Bobby Wagner out of my head. It’s a couple months later, but Dallas + Wagner remain a perfect match for both sides.”
Indeed, Schottenheimer spoke about Wagner at the owners’ meetings in Arizona last month, with Kay Adams of the “Up and Adams” podcast.
As he said: “I will say this: No. 1, we have made some really strong runs at inside linebackers. It hasn’t worked out. You’re looking at one of the biggest Bobby Wagner fans in the world. Being in Seattle with him for three years, and watching him compete, and talk trash in a good way, I love that guy. And he’s still playing at a high level. So, we’ll see how everything works out, it’s an exciting time of year. But Bobby Wagner, total stud.”
Cowboys Have Been Aggressive in LB Pursuit
Give the Cowboys some credit, they have tried to fill the spot left open by the departure of last year’s dreadful acquisitions, Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson. Dallas made credible free-agent offers to Devin Lloyd, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, the three biggest linebacker names on the market. But they missed out.
They also sought trades for Patrick Queen of the Steelers, Jordyn Brooks of the Dolphins and Azeez Al-Shaiir of the Texans. Those all missed, too. Finally, during the draft, they were on Option G (or thereabouts), and secured a trade for Dee Winters.
Bobby Wagner A Good Insurance Policy
On Thursday, Winters met with Cowboys beat reporters and was asked whether he had ever been a “green dot” linebacker–that is, the guy who calls the plays from the sideline and ensures everyone is properly lined up. Winters conceded he has never had that role.
Bobby Wagner, though, is a 10-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro whose spot in Canton is awaiting him when he retires. He turns 36 in June, but can still play. His 162 tackles ranked fifth among all defenders in 2025. And even if the Cowboys want to go with Winters as the starting and primary option, it would still be useful to have Wagner on board as a mentor and insurance policy.
It does, indeed, appear to be a perfect match. If only it could be executed.
