Cowboys Trade Proposal Targets Dolphins Star to Fill Micah Parsons Void

Dallas, TX – September 19, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to trade Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers has left lingering questions about their edge rush capabilities. After a shaky start over the first two weeks of the 2025 season, the Cowboys’ edge-rushing unit has struggled to make an impact.

To address this weakness, the team could explore several options, with Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins emerging as a compelling target. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently floated an intriguing trade scenario to bring Phillips to Dallas, suggesting his value aligns with a 2026 fourth-round pick.

“Things continue to look bleak for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. While Miami wasn’t blown out for the second straight week, they can’t feel good about a home loss to the rebuilding New England Patriots… Impending 2026 free agent Jaelan Phillips is just one of the potential trade chips the Dolphins could look to cash in before the trade deadline. Though injuries have limited the 26-year-old in recent years, Phillips recorded 22 sacks over his first three seasons,” Knox wrote.

Securing a player of Phillips’ caliber, despite injury concerns, would be a coup for the Cowboys. His standout 2021 season saw him notch 8.5 sacks and 42 tackles, while 2022 brought 61 tackles and seven sacks, showcasing his potential when healthy.

Jadeveon Clowney Ready to Contribute to Dallas Defense

In a bid to bolster their defense, the Cowboys signed Jadeveon Clowney earlier this week. Though age has slowed the 32-year-old from his peak, he remains a solid addition at this stage.

Coming off a 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers where he tallied 5.5 sacks and 46 tackles, Clowney is confident he can still contribute. “I like the secondary. I like that they got Kenny Clark for the inside. They just needed some edge rushers and I feel like I can go out here and help this defense,” he said, according to SB Nation.

How Much Can Dallas Count on Jadeveon Clowney?

The big question surrounding Clowney and the Cowboys is his playing capacity. The team’s official website, via Tommy Yarrish, noted he may not handle 40-plus snaps per game.

“Not at all. If anything, having a veteran like that in the room will probably help more than it will hurt because the group overall is so young. Dante Fowler is the only other veteran that’s there right now, so I don’t think having another seasoned voice is going to be something that hurts at all. You also have to consider how much of a workload Clowney is going to get at this stage of his career. He might not be a 30-40 snaps a game kind of player and may be utilized situationally. If that’s the case, then everyone wins, with the Cowboys getting a veteran presence at defensive end and their young players at the position still getting valuable reps,” Yarrish wrote.

Phillips’ injury status over the coming weeks will be key. However, his healthy performance through the first two weeks of 2025, following last year’s Achilles injury, suggests the Cowboys could benefit significantly if they acquire him.

Pairing Clowney with Phillips would mark major upgrades for Dallas, compensating for the loss of what many consider the NFL’s top edge rusher, Micah Parsons.