Matthew Judon Trade BREAKING: Cowboys Idea, But Falcons Making Move

Recent reports indicate that New England Patriots star edge rusher Matthew Judon is not interested in staying with the team. The Dallas Cowboys have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for ninth-year All-Pro. ... and indeed, our Mike Fisher breaks down here - see "Judon Would Love Trade to Dallas'' - the five steps that could get a deal done .

It would've make things pretty interesting on the defensive side of the ball. All-Pro Micah Parsons on one side and Judon on the other. Who gets double-teamed and who gets to the quarterback first?

Alas, word is the Falcons have jumped in to make the deal ... leaving us to wonder if there would've been a pecking-order issue in Dallas anyway.

Judon is on the last year of his current contract but wants an extension. He has already turned down an offer from the Patriots and wants to go somewhere that he can win.

At a price point of just $6.5 million this season, the Cowboys could do this as a one-year rental in a heartbeat, assuming the trade price is right.

The Falcons have plowed through the issues, it seems. But now let's turn back the clock to a Cowboys what-if ...

Had Dallas toyed with this ...

The problem then becomes, do they give him a new contract?

Therein lies a very large pecking-order issue.

The Cowboys are currently mired in contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb.

While there are ways to make all of this happen, can the Joneses make a move on a guy like Judon and give him a contract before Lamb and Prescott are handled?

It would've been an awkward look for Jerry and Stephen Jones.

Related: 'Terrible Mistake' With Micah Parsons, McCarthy Jokes

We'll say this: If it was all made to fit? It'd have been a good problem to have.

But right now? Exploring a trade option like this before current contract situations are handled could've had a negative ripple effect throughout the entire organization.

Jerry and Stephen Jones have insisted they have Dak and Lamb "prioritized.'' Maybe, as a smart trade is made elsewhere, they should fulfill that vow.