The Dallas Cowboys left the 2026 NFL Draft without a definitive answer at off-ball linebacker, but their approach now appears more calculated than passive. Behind the scenes, Dallas explored a move for Azeez Al-Shaair before pivoting to a cheaper alternative.
The gap at the second level remains, even after a flurry of draft-day trades. What is clear is that the front office recognized the problem and attempted to address it. What remains uncertain is whether their eventual solution will prove sufficient.
Did the Cowboys Miss Out on Azeez Al-Shaair or Was the Price Too High?
The pursuit of Al-Shaair demonstrates that Dallas was not idle. According to Mike Garafolo, “Before trading for Dee Winters, the Cowboys talked to the Texans about Al-Shaair… But Houston values Al-Shaair for his play on the field and community work off of it. Now putting their $$$ down to further prove it.”
Houston’s stance quickly became firm. The Texans locked in their Pro Bowl linebacker with a three-year, $54 million extension, underscoring his centrality to their identity. This fits a broader pattern: in recent weeks, Houston committed heavily to core pieces, including Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, signaling a team intent on building continuity rather than negotiating it away. For Dallas, the hesitation is telling. Al-Shaair’s production speaks for itself, from a 163-tackle peak season to a Pro Bowl campaign in 2025. Still, committing that level of money may have conflicted with the Cowboys’ broader roster strategy. The interest was genuine, but the follow-through never materialized.
Can Dee Winters Fix the Cowboys’ Linebacker Problem?
Instead, Dallas turned to Dee Winters, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 fifth-round pick. This move is built on value rather than certainty. Winters is coming off a 101-tackle season, his first as a full-time starter, and arrives on an affordable rookie deal. Insider Jordan Schultz summarized the thinking: “Sources: The 49ers are trading LB Dee Winters to the Cowboys, as Dallas addresses a huge need at LB.” The key word is “addresses,” not “solves.”
Dallas struggled defensively in 2025, and much of that traced back to instability at linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown has flashed but has not stayed healthy, and the depth behind him remains thin. Winters should compete immediately, likely pushing past younger options like Shemar James, but expecting him to anchor the unit may be optimistic. That leaves the door open for a veteran addition. Bobby Wagner still looms as a logical fit, even at age 35. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer did not hide his admiration: “We’ve made some really strong runs at inside linebacker… It hasn’t worked out. You’re looking at one of the biggest Bobby Wagner fans in the world… He’s still playing at a high level, so we’ll see how everything works out.”
Dallas did not land its top target, nor did it fully solve the problem. But the intent is there, and with the roster still in flux, this story is not finished yet.
