Cowboys Trade for Haason to Replace Micah?

FRISCO — Thursday night marked a much needed win for the Dallas Cowboys . A 20-15 win showed visible improvement from their past two games, but left many questions needed answers.

Piling onto those questions, the Cowboys have now lost their two of their most important defensive pieces in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. The latter of the two presumes a more extended absence than Parsons, but both leave considerable playmaking responsibilities to be filled .

Across the depth chart or around the league, there are few options to replenish this group. One idea mentioned in some circles has been the acquisition of Jets' defensive end Haason Reddick.

The eighth-year veteran has yet to play, however, due to an ongoing disputes over a contract adjustment.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentioned the possibility of Dallas acquiring him, but noted that avenue "isn't a viable option via trade due to cost." But he's got it only partly right.

Dallas presently has $25 million of cap room. It could easily absorb Reddick's $14 million salary. But a) he doesn't want to play at that wage (otherwise he wouldn't be holding out from the Jets), b) that means Dallas would be giving up a trade asset for a "rental'' in his 30s, and c) the Cowboys are not giving bloated long-term contracts to older players as that would be a violation of their intentions for 2025, which we've come to call the "Blow It Up/Remodel'' plan.

Reddick is too old, too expensive and not quite good enough to become a foundational player here on a level with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and Tyler Smith. So Fowler's suggestion that Dallas "can't'' do this is wrong. The Cowboys "can.'' They will, however, "choose'' not to.

For a multitude of reasons beyond cost, a move for Reddick would be ill advised for this Cowboys' defense. While Dallas is exploring external options, that must be a careful process. The defense is continuing to assimilate into Mike Zimmer's system.

Adding Reddick would enhance this defense's talent, but he may prove a unfit for this system and may not take to the field until a resolution comes for contract issues.

Further, Reddick could be a waste of assets for a short-term solution. Parsons and Lawrence should return by the latter stages of the season. Where will Reddick fit when both players are back in the lineup?

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Beyond the conversation of external options, the Cowboys have now been forced into an opportunity to explore what they have on the edge. Parsons will likely receive a massive extension in the offseason, but Lawrence could be on his way out of Dallas if he is not offered his desired contract.

The Cowboys can now give Marshawn Kneeland and Chauncey Golston an opportunity to carve a larger role in this defense, exploring some depth behind their two stars.

Altogether, there is questionable fit, style and necessity for a player like Reddick on the Cowboys' defense. If Dallas chooses to explore external options on its edge, they should look opposite of the veteran defensive end.