{"id":165607,"date":"2026-03-17T14:17:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T14:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=165607"},"modified":"2026-03-17T14:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T14:17:53","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-confirm-defense-saved-the-cowboys-have-finally-ended-their-linebacker-nightmare-by-landing-a-92-8-run-defense-force-with-183-tackles-a-move-that-instantly-changes-the-tone-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=165607","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 CONFIRM: DEFENSE SAVED \u2014 The Cowboys have finally ended their linebacker nightmare by landing a 92.8 run defense force with 183 tackles, a move that instantly changes the tone of their defense and brings a level of toughness fans have been desperate to see. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"auto\">It\u2019s not really open for interpretation: the Dallas Cowboys got better in the first week of free agency.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\">While Osa Odighizuwa is undeniably a big loss, the addition of Rashan Gary\u2014a proven three-down edge rusher\u2014along with Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke, will raise the floor of a secondary that spent most, if not all, of the 2025 regular season as a basement-dweller.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_1\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_1_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">That said, Cowboys fans remain on edge because the team still hasn\u2019t added a linebacker. Dallas tried hard to land Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker before both players signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and the club wasn\u2019t comfortable meeting the price tag for former Jaguars All-Pro Devin Lloyd.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_2\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_2_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">The good news? Dallas has reportedly lost all interest in trading for Patrick Queen. A pivot to Miami Dolphins standout Jordyn Brooks could instantly restore fans\u2019 faith\u2014and end the linebacker nightmare once and for all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_3\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_3_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_1188,y_286,w_5187,h_2917\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/129\/01kkw58wpvy1hdgka1wm.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"auto\">The Dallas Cowboys should call the Dolphins about LB Jordyn Brooks.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\">Brooks is one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL, probably because he plays in Miami. The Dolphins have conducted their own version of a fire sale this offseason, cutting starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and edge rusher Bradley Chubb while trading veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_4\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_4_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are shedding salary as they work to overcome the hellacious financial burden left behind by the previous regime. That situation makes Brooks\u2014who is on an expiring contract\u2014a logical trade target. Following an October restructure, he carries a non-guaranteed $8.3 million salary in 2026.<\/p>\n<div id=\"js_adsconex_parallax_1\" class=\"\" data-type=\"parallax\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad\" align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_inpage_1\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/inpage_1_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">A constant bright spot on an otherwise dreadful Dolphins defense, Brooks led all defenders with 183 tackles this past season. Unlike some other high-tackle linebackers, his gaudy stats are an accurate reflection of his performance.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_5\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_5_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\">The 28-year-old finished third at the position with a sublime 92.8 run-defense grade and 11th with a 75.0 pass-rush grade, per Pro Football Focus. He also ranked third in defensive stops (61) and posted just a 4.3 percent missed-tackle rate on 187 opportunities. It\u2019s no wonder he earned first-team All-Pro honors.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_6\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_6_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">It should be noted that Brooks does not excel in coverage, but Dallas would gladly trade that weakness for everything else he brings to the table.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\">Think about the veteran stability Eric Kendricks provided two years ago. The difference is that Brooks is still in his prime, whereas Kendricks was already 32. That means Brooks\u2019 impact could be tenfold.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_7\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_7_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"auto\">Of course, it takes two to tango. Looking to establish a new culture, it would behoove the Dolphins to extend Brooks rather than ship him off for a draft pick after a career year. But from the Cowboys\u2019 perspective, it\u2019s a no-brainer to at least make the call. What\u2019s the worst that could happen by gauging his availability?<\/p>\n<div id=\"div_adsconex_banner_responsive_8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/23156761210\/cafex\/banner_responsive_8_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\">If Dallas pulls this off, the linebacker nightmare is officially over. A 92.8 run-defense monster with 183 tackles is coming to town\u2014and Cowboys fans can finally breathe easy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s not really open for interpretation: the Dallas Cowboys got better in the first week of free agency. While Osa Odighizuwa is undeniably a big loss, the&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":165608,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-165607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\udea8 CONFIRM: DEFENSE SAVED \u2014 The Cowboys have finally ended their linebacker nightmare by landing a 92.8 run defense force with 183 tackles, a move that instantly changes the tone of their defense and brings a level of toughness fans have been desperate to see. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=165607\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8 CONFIRM: DEFENSE SAVED \u2014 The Cowboys have finally ended their linebacker nightmare by landing a 92.8 run defense force with 183 tackles, a move that instantly changes the tone of their defense and brings a level of toughness fans have been desperate to see. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s not really open for interpretation: the Dallas Cowboys got better in the first week of free agency. 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