The Dallas Cowboys have acquired veteran linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick, both teams confirmed Tuesday. The move comes as Dallas looks to bolster one of the NFL’s weakest defenses following a 27-17 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals on “Monday Night Football.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced the deal during a radio interview, saying Wilson’s experience and instincts made him an ideal fit for a struggling defensive unit. “For what we need right now, he can come in immediately and help us at linebacker,” Jones said. He compared Wilson’s skill set to that of former Cowboys standout Leighton Vander Esch, adding, “Some guys have the ability to see a certain key and at the same time take a step up in the hole. [Wilson] knows how to get in the gaps right now.” Jones also hinted that Dallas might not be finished making moves before the trade deadline. “With a deadline, they’re in the works — and they better be in the works, or you’re going to miss this train,” he said.
Wilson, 29, had requested a trade from Cincinnati after his playing time diminished this season. The former third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft had been a defensive captain for the Bengals and was a key contributor during their recent playoff runs. He signed a four-year, $36 million extension with the team in 2023. Despite his reduced snaps in 2025, Wilson has remained productive, recording 46 tackles, four passes defended, and one fumble recovery through eight games. Over his six-year career, he has started 65 games, logged at least 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons, and notched 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. His 11 interceptions since 2020 lead all NFL middle linebackers.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor praised Wilson in a statement after the trade. “I appreciate everything Logan has done as a player and as a person during his time in Cincinnati. He has been a central part of our defense over the past six years, and he will be remembered as a leader in our locker room. I wish him the best moving forward.”
Dallas enters its bye week with a 3-5-1 record, sitting second in the NFC East — 3½ games behind the Philadelphia Eagles — and 11th in the conference standings. The Cowboys will return to action on November 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders on “Monday Night Football.” After that, they’ll face two top-10 scoring offenses in consecutive weeks: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
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