BREAKING: JERRY JONES EYES TREY HENDRICKSON TRADE AFTER MOVING ON FROM PARSONS
Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner, has made it clear that if the right trade opportunity arises for his team over the next few months, he plans to take advantage of it. After moving on from Micah Parsons and getting multiple picks in return, he’ll have an opportunity to do just that with the trade deadline coming up in the next few weeks.
It remains uncertain what Jones is looking for, but it’s evident that the Cowboys have to improve on the defensive side of the football. If there’s been one concern about them this season, it’s been their lack of keeping teams out of the end zone against high-level offenses.
That’s why Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report proposed a trade idea to land one of the top edge rushers in the NFL to replace Parsons. His trade proposal would send Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals to Dallas for a conditional 2026 second-round pick.
“The Bengals clearly still believe they can stay in the playoff hunt until late in the season, when Joe Burrow may be able to return from a toe injury. That’s the only reason for Tuesday’s trade to acquire Joe Flacco from the rival Browns… Still, the Bengals probably view the veteran as an upgrade over Browning, which will prevent them from being in full-on fire-sale mode. If they don’t start racking up wins, though, pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson should become available.
“The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported in August that the Bengals wanted a 2026 first-round pick and a young defensive player in return for Hendrickson. They probably can’t expect that return, but they would have to consider a strong offer for the impending 2026 free agent, especially if they’re below .500 at the deadline,” he wrote.
Will the Cowboys Want to Pay Trey Hendrickson?
If the Dallas Cowboys didn’t want to pay Parsons, it might be a bit questionable to land Hendrickson, but Parsons makes more than him, so perhaps it isn’t an issue.
Should the Cowboys Trade for Trey Hendrickson?
The reason for the Dallas Cowboys being interested in someone like Hendrickson seems clear. With the lack of a run defense, inability to get to the quarterback at times, and other factors after moving on from Parsons, despite some of those problems already being there, they still remain competitive. For Pro Football Network, that’s one reason they believe Hendrickson is a top fit for the Cowboys heading into the trade deadline.
“Despite trading Micah Parsons before the start of the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys remain competitive at 2-2-1. A lot of that comes down to their offensive performance, as their defense has predictably struggled since trading away their best player. However, acquiring Hendrickson could help them fix that missing piece they just lost.
“At 30 years old with a contract extension on the horizon, Hendrickson would realistically be much cheaper to acquire in a trade than Parsons was for the Packers. The Cowboys aren’t lacking for draft capital, seeing as though they have two first-round picks in the next two drafts. The chance to acquire an elite pass rusher while still having multiple picks in Round 1 of both 2026 and 2027 could be too enticing for Dallas to pass up,” Jacob Infante wrote.
NFL Makes Major Announcement on Buccaneers Week 6 Game vs. 49ers
The NFL announced Monday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 6 game has been moved to the late afternoon window.
The Buccaneers’ game against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 12 has been flexed to a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS.
Tampa Bay will now headline one of the weekend’s marquee matchups, with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints sliding into the 1 p.m. slot.
Entering Week 5, the Buccaneers and 49ers share 3-1 records, lead their divisions, and look the part of NFC contenders. In contrast, the Patriots (2-2) vs. Saints (0-4) matchup carries far less appeal, given New Orleans’ early struggles.
The CBS commentators haven’t been announced but based on the slate of games that weekend, it’s possible that Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call.
Buccaneers Off to a Good Start
For the Oct. 12 game, Tampa Bay will be coming off a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) in Week 5 after falling to the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) in Week 4.
Against the Eagles, quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted to rally the Bucs in the fourth quarter, which he has been accustomed to doing as of late, but the Super Bowl champions remained undefeated in the end, winning 31-25.
GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 28: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Mayfield, limited in practice by a biceps injury, tossed scores of 77 and 72 yards before being intercepted on first down from the Eagles’ 11-yard line as his team trailed 31-23 midway through the final quarter.
With just under two minutes remaining, Tampa Bay had possession at the Eagles’ 40, but a Moro Ojomo sack and a short 2-yard completion on fourth-and-9 ended the drive.
Mayfield led the Bucs to game-winning touchdowns in each of its first three games.
Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin made a 65-yard field goal on the final play of the first half, which was the longest in NFL history in an outdoor stadium. McLaughlin fell one yard shy of Justin Tucker’s NFL-record 66-yard field goal, made for Baltimore against Detroit in a dome back in 2021. Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey also hit a 65-yarder last season with the roof closed at AT&T Stadium.
San Francisco Looked Inconsistent
For the Oct. 12 game, the Niners (3-1) will be coming off a lot of days off because they face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Oct. 2. The 49ers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-21, in Week 4.
A strip-sack by former San Francisco star Arik Armstead on Brock Purdy inside the final three minutes clinched the Jaguars’ (3-1) win. The contest closed in dramatic fashion as coach Liam Coen and Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh had to be separated after Saleh accused Jacksonville of sign-stealing—done within the rules.
With 7:41 left, Purdy found Jake Tonges for a 21-yard score that pulled the 49ers within 26-21. A missed 47-yard attempt by Cam Little then opened the door for a potential comeback.
In his first game back from a two-game absence with a toe injury, Purdy struggled with consistency. He completed 22 of 38 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns, but his three turnovers proved costly.
