The Dallas Cowboys are making waves in NFL trade rumors as the November 4, 2025, trade deadline approaches, with owner Jerry Jones signaling that the team is open for business. Fresh off their blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers for star pass rusher Micah Parsons, the Cowboys are now flush with future draft picks, positioning them to make another splash to bolster their roster. The focus? Replacing Parsons’ elite production on the defensive line.
One name generating buzz is Tennessee Titans’ star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. With the Titans struggling at just one win in 2025, insiders suggest Dallas could capitalize on Tennessee’s willingness to entertain trade offers for nearly anyone on their roster, including blue-chip talents like Simmons.
According to USA Today’s Angel Torres in an October 21, 2025, article titled, “5 big-name defenders Cowboys could try to trade for include All-Pro DE, DTs, LB, Safety,” a potential trade for Simmons could see the Cowboys sending a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to Nashville. While the Titans have publicly stated that Simmons and quarterback Cam Ward are off-limits, their recent firing of head coach Brian Callahan after less than two seasons suggests a franchise in disarray, potentially open to testing such claims.
Simmons, a three-time Pro Bowler, is a dominant force on the interior defensive line. Through seven starts in 2025, he has recorded 30 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His four-year, $94 million contract, which runs through 2027, is a significant but manageable investment compared to the $186 million extension Parsons signed with Green Bay. For a Cowboys team looking to replace Parsons’ impact, Simmons represents a proven, high-upside target.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones emphasized the team’s intent to pursue game-changers, not depth players. In an October 23, 2025, interview with Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein, Jones said, “We don’t really feel like we need down-the-line guys. We need a guy who’d be a front-line guy who’d make a difference.” With only two NFL teams boasting fewer than two losses at this point in the season, Jones believes the Cowboys are still in contention and should act accordingly.
Jones also noted the competitive nature of the league, stating, “With the way this league is, I mean, there’s only two teams with one loss and one of ’em has a loss and a tie. And so, everybody’s going to think they’re in it.” This mindset suggests Dallas is unlikely to stand pat and could leverage their newly acquired draft capital to pursue a transformative talent like Simmons.
For Simmons, a move to Dallas could be a career-defining opportunity. The Titans’ lack of direction, compounded by their poor 2025 performance, has left premier talents like Simmons stuck on a perennial losing team. In contrast, the Cowboys offer a high-profile platform and a chance to compete for a playoff spot. Simmons’ ability to disrupt opposing offenses would fill a critical gap left by Parsons’ departure, strengthening Dallas’ pass rush and defensive front.
As the trade deadline nears, all eyes are on Dallas to see how aggressive they’ll be. The Cowboys’ willingness to deal future picks and Jones’ comments about targeting “front-line” players signal that a blockbuster move could be on the horizon. A trade for Simmons would not only address a key roster need but also send a message that Dallas is all-in for 2025. Whether the Titans will part with their star defender remains uncertain, but the Cowboys appear ready to test their resolve.