Which veteran LBs Cowboys checked in on before Dee Winters trade

One way or another, the Dallas Cowboys were leaving the 2026 NFL Draft with some help at the linebacker position. While getting it through the draft was more of a long-term solution, Dallas isn’t known for playing the long game, and if they have a chance to make a splash, they’ll do it. With Dee Winters available to the Cowboys, they pulled the trigger on a trade, but not before checking in on other veteran options, according to Jeremy Fowler via X, formerly Twitter.

“Dallas scoured the veteran market in recent weeks/months, checking on Jordyn Brooks, Patrick Queen and others,” Fowler reported.

Brooks was a valuable piece of the Miami Dolphins’ defense last season. He recorded 99 solo tackles, for a total of 183, while adding a forced fumble. He is a feared hitter over the middle and someone who would’ve fit the Cowboys’ scheme perfectly. Brooks was the gem among this group of veteran linebackers.

Queen had a poor middle of the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he came on strong at the end to make himself a commodity. The wild-card playoff game might’ve been Queen’s best of the season, as he recorded seven solo tackles and three assist tackles. His numbers aren’t quite the same thanks to his midseason lull, but he is on a similar level as Brooks and Winters.

Nevertheless, Winters might be the best of the bunch. He started every game last season and had 101 combined tackles. While not on the same level as Brooks, Winters might’ve had a much more reasonable price tag.

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