The Dallas Cowboys made the first move on trade deadline day, sending a seventh-round pick to acquire star linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals.
It wasn’t a blockbuster trade by any means, but Wilson provides a much-needed boost to a struggling Dallas defense, and owner Jerry Jones recently broke his silence on why he felt the deal was necessary.
What Did Jerry Jones Say About Dallas’ Logan Wilson Trade?
Ahead of the Cowboys’ Monday Night game against the Arizona Cardinals, Jones hinted that Dallas had made a trade but wouldn’t reveal details until Tuesday.
The Wilson deal was officially announced today. While it may not have lived up to the hype Jones teased, it’s still a significant move for the Cowboys. Wilson has historically been a solid inside linebacker, although he’s struggled this season, ranking 62nd among linebackers in PFSN’s LBi metric.
While Wilson hasn’t played great, he should still be an upgrade for the Cowboys. On Tuesday, Jones broke his silence on the trade, reportedly calling it frustrating that the move had to be made but necessary given Dallas’ defensive struggles.
He also acknowledged that many of the team’s defensive problems stem from turnover at the defensive coordinator position, taking responsibility for the instability over the past three seasons.
He also acknowledged that much of the team’s problems on defense stems from turnover at defensive coordinator, taking responsibility for the instability over the past three seasons.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said he’s not angry, but “pretty frustrated with how we got here, my decision-making.” He specifically pointed to all the defensive coordinator changes over the last three years. “Continuity in football is important.”
Jones on Dallas…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 4, 2025
Jones isn’t wrong about the team’s defensive struggles. The Cowboys’ defense ranks 31st in the NFL this season in PFSN’s DEFi metric, and the team desperately needed to make a move to help bolster the unit.
Regarding Wilson as a player, Jones reportedly praised the veteran linebacker’s feel for the game, even comparing him to former Dallas star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
“His ability to see it. Some people would think about it in a way of instincts,” Jones reportedly said. “He knows how to get in the gaps right now. He would remind you of… he’s got a lot of length. Leighton [Vander Esch]. He probably has a little bit of that when you watch him play.”
Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on what the Cowboys liked about Logan Wilson so as to trade for him:
“His ability to see it. Some people would think about it in a way of instincts… he knows how to get in the gaps right now. He would remind you of… he’s got a lot of length.…
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) November 4, 2025
Wilson isn’t going to solve all of Dallas’ defensive issues, but he should help the unit perform somewhat better for the remainder of the season. He’ll join Kenneth Murray, who ranks 30th among NFL linebackers in PFSN’s LBi metric, and Shemar James, who ranks 52nd at the off-ball linebacker position for the Cowboys.
It’s hard not to view Jones’ decision to trade superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons at the start of the year as the main reason for Dallas’ struggles this season. While the Wilson trade shows Jones is actively trying to improve the team, it’s easy to wonder if none of this would be an issue had Parsons never been moved.