Every year, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has Super Bowl expectations. Yet, the Cowboys haven’t hoisted the Lombardi Trophy since the end of the 1995 season. Heck, they didn’t even reach the playoffs in the past two seasons.
That won’t fly again as Brian Schottenheimer heads into his second season as head coach. Perhaps the Cowboys need a bit more help to compete in the NFC East, but in what way?
Cowboys Named Ideal Landing Spot for Bobby Wagner
One area the Cowboys may still look to improve is defense, where they allowed the most points in the NFL in 2025. While the Cowboys made additions at every level of the defense, some are still skeptical about the linebacker situation after projected starter DeMarvion Overshown was limited to just six games due to injury.
Recently, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlighted why the Cowboys would be a “logical landing spot” for free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner. While Wagner is a bit older, he’s still an effective starter.
“Linebacker Bobby Wagner continues to win the battle against Father Time,” Knox wrote. “The 36-year-old remains a high-volume starter and a productive player in every facet of his game.”
Wagner would have ranked first on the team in tackles last season, and he’d be a huge asset in helping get the Cowboys’ defenders lined up before the snap.
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“The reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year just wrapped his 14th straight season with 100-plus tackles,” Knox wrote. “He started all 17 games for Washington in 2025 and finished with 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two interceptions.”
While there’s no doubt Wagner can still play, the question is whether he would be willing to join the Cowboys, even though he played for their division rival, the Washington Commanders, for the past two seasons. Though coaching staff ties could help lure the 10-time Pro Bowler to Dallas.
“If Wagner is willing to join a former division rival, Dallas could provide a logical landing spot,” Knox wrote. “The Cowboys are working to rebuild a defense that ranked 30th overall last season, and Wagner has a fan in head coach Brian Schottenheimer — who previously spent time alongside Wagner as the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator.”
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The Cowboys added young prospects Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round. Both are expected to see large roles as rookies, and Wagner may be exactly the type of veteran leader this defense needs.
“Wagner would bring some much-needed ability and leadership to the second level of Dallas’ defense, potentially completing the unit’s offseason rebuild.”
For now, the Cowboys seem intent on giving Overshown, the 90th overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, a chance to thrive. Still just 25 years old, perhaps this is his breakout year.
Yet, if the coaching staff doesn’t like what they see in camp, maybe Schottenheimer can tap into his connection to Wagner and recruit the future Hall of Famer to Dallas.