The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. With franchise quarterback Dak Prescott playing at an elite level, the team has a rare opportunity to capitalize on his prime years. However, the Cowboys’ defense, particularly its pass rush, is a glaring weakness that threatens to derail their season. In a desperate bid to bolster the roster before the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame recently suggested that Dallas pursue Miami Dolphins’ veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb. While the idea of adding a proven player like Chubb might seem appealing on the surface, such a move would be a catastrophic misstep for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office, risking financial ruin and squandering valuable draft capital for a player whose best days may be behind him.
The Cowboys’ Defensive Dilemma
The Cowboys’ defense has been a liability this season, particularly in generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. James Houston currently leads the team with just two sacks, a paltry figure for a franchise with playoff aspirations. Without a significant improvement in the pass rush, Dallas risks wasting another year of Prescott’s prime—a scenario that has become all too familiar for Cowboys fans. The secondary, struggling to adapt to Matt Eberflus’ scheme, has been exposed, further emphasizing the need for a dominant front to disrupt opposing offenses.
Matt Verderame’s trade proposal suggests that the Cowboys target Bradley Chubb, a 29-year-old edge rusher who has recorded three sacks in the 2025 season. At first glance, Chubb’s sack total seems like an upgrade over Houston’s output. However, a deeper dive into his performance reveals a far less enticing picture.
Bradley Chubb: A Risky Proposition
While Chubb’s three sacks are noteworthy, sacks alone do not tell the full story of an edge rusher’s effectiveness. According to Pro Football Focus, Chubb’s pass-rush win rate is a dismal 8.0 percent, ranking him 52nd out of 57 qualifying EDGE players who have played at least 79 pass-rush snaps. His seven total pressures tie him for 49th, and his 55.3 pass-rush grade in true pass sets ranks 52nd. These metrics paint a picture of a player who is far from dominant, struggling to consistently win one-on-one matchups on a snap-by-snap basis.
Chubb’s contract further complicates the equation. The veteran carries a staggering $31 million cap hit in 2026, a figure that would hamstring the Cowboys’ already tight salary cap situation. While Dallas could save $20.23 million by cutting Chubb with a post-June 1 designation, they would still absorb $10.9 million in dead money—a hefty price for a player who has not shown elite production this season. For a team that prides itself on fiscal prudence, committing to such a contract would be a reckless gamble.
A Troubling Injury History
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of pursuing Chubb is his extensive injury history. The former Pro Bowler has missed at least nine games in three of his seven NFL seasons, including the entirety of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL. Chubb also suffered a torn ACL in 2019 while with the Denver Broncos and has a history of ankle sprains. The Cowboys have been burned before by investing in players recovering from major injuries, and Chubb’s track record raises serious red flags. At 29 years old, there’s no guarantee he will regain the form that made him a standout earlier in his career.
The Cost of Nostalgia
Trading for Chubb would likely require the Cowboys to part with valuable draft capital, a resource that is critical for building a sustainable roster around Prescott. Jerry Jones has a history of chasing high-profile names in hopes of recapturing past glory, but such moves often come at the expense of long-term success. The Cowboys cannot afford to mortgage their future for a player who, at best, offers marginal improvement and, at worst, becomes a financial and on-field liability.
Instead of pursuing a fading star like Chubb, Dallas would be better served exploring other options. Younger, more cost-effective pass rushers or internal development of existing talent could provide the defensive boost the team needs without the astronomical risks associated with Chubb’s acquisition.
A Defining Moment for Jerry Jones
The pressure is on Jerry Jones to make a move that will keep the Cowboys competitive in 2025, but trading for Bradley Chubb is not the answer. The combination of his underwhelming performance metrics, massive contract, and troubling injury history makes him a poor fit for a team that needs efficient, reliable production. Sacrificing draft capital and cap space for a player whose best days are likely in the past would be a monumental mistake—one that could haunt Dallas for years to come.
Jones and the Cowboys’ front office must resist the temptation to chase a name from a glorious past and instead focus on building a defense that complements Prescott’s elite play. The clock is ticking, and with the trade deadline looming, Dallas must make a calculated decision that prioritizes long-term success over short-term desperation. Anything less would be a cap calamity that could define the franchise’s trajectory for the worse.