The Dallas Cowboys left the 2026 NFL Draft without a true answer at off-ball linebacker, but their approach now looks more calculated than passive. Behind the scenes, Dallas explored a move for Azeez Al-Shaair before pivoting to a cheaper alternative. The gap at the second level remains, even after a flurry of draft-day trades. What’s clear is the front office knew the problem and tried to solve it. What’s less clear is whether their eventual solution will be enough.
Did the Cowboys miss out on Azeez Al-Shaair or was the price simply too high?
The pursuit of Al-Shaair shows Dallas wasn’t sitting idle. According to Mike Garafolo, “Before trading for Dee Winters, the Cowboys talked to the Texans about Al-Shaair… But Houston values Al-Shaair for his play on the field and community work off of it. Now putting their $$$ down to further prove it.”Houston’s stance quickly became firm. The Houston Texans locked in their Pro Bowl linebacker on a three-year, $54 million extension, reinforcing how central he is to their identity. It fits a wider pattern. In recent weeks, Houston committed heavily to core pieces, including Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, signaling a team intent on building continuity, not negotiating it away.For Dallas, the hesitation is telling. Al-Shaair’s production speaks for itself, from a 163-tackle peak season to a Pro Bowl campaign in 2025. Still, committing that level of money may have conflicted with the Cowboys’ broader roster strategy. The interest was real. The follow-through never came.
Can Dee Winters fix the Cowboys’ linebacker problem?
Instead, Dallas turned to Dee Winters, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 fifth-round pick. It’s a move built on value rather than certainty. Winters is coming off a 101-tackle season, his first as a full-time starter, and arrives on an affordable rookie deal.Insider Jordan Schultz summed up the thinking: “Sources: The 49ers are trading LB Dee Winters to the Cowboys, as Dallas addresses a huge need at LB.” The key word is addresses, not solves.Dallas struggled defensively in 2025, and much of that traces back to instability at linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown has flashed but hasn’t stayed healthy, and the depth behind him remains thin. Winters should compete immediately, likely pushing past younger options like Shemar James, but expecting him to anchor the unit may be optimistic.That leaves the door open for a veteran addition. Bobby Wagner still looms as a logical fit, even at 35. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t hide his admiration: “We’ve made some really strong runs at inside linebacker… It hasn’t worked out. You’re looking at one of the biggest Bobby Wagner fans in the world… He’s still playing at a high level, so we’ll see how everything works out.”Dallas didn’t land its top target. It didn’t fully solve the problem either. But the intent is there, and with the roster still in flux, this story isn’t finished yet.
