NFC Team Linked to Trade Talks for Raiders $11 Million Defensive End
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to return to action in Week 9 after enjoying their bye week in Week 8, and while they aren’t exactly hoping to be a playoff contender this season, their upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars could be very important in determining what they end up doing ahead of the upcoming trade deadline.
With a 2-5 record, the Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the league this year, and it seems like a full-scale rebuild is on the horizon. As a result, that could lead them to be sellers ahead of the deadline, as they have several players who are drawing interest on the trade market. One of them is defensive end Malcolm Koonce, as reports indicate one NFC team in particular could make a big push for him.
Cowboys Showing Interest in Potential Malcolm Koonce Trade
Koonce isn’t necessarily the first player teams are looking at when they check out the Raiders’ roster, but he could serve as a valuable edge rusher for playoff-contending squads. After missing the entire 2024 campaign with a knee injury, Koonce has looked solid in his return this season, racking up 17 tackles, one sack, and one fumble forced through seven games.
One team that could use some help along its defensive line is the Dallas Cowboys. After pulling off a mind-boggling trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers right before the start of the season, the Cowboys have unsurprisingly struggled to find a proper replacement for him. With the trade deadline approaching, they are expected to make a move to bring in some defensive line help.
Guys like Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Arden Key have quickly emerged as more popular trade targets, but Koonce is an intriguing target who isn’t drawing as much interest. And yet, as he showed in 2023 when he tallied eight sacks, he can be a game-changer on the defensive line. With that in mind, Dallas is poking around to see if Las Vegas would be willing to trade him.
“(The Cowboys) are in the market for a pass rusher, sources say,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported. “Arden Key, the Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, and the Raiders’ Malcolm Koonce are among the edge rushers who could be traded.”
Should the Raiders Trade Malcolm Koonce?
GettyMalcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
Koonce has only started one game for the Raiders this season, and while the team is being cautious with him, considering the fact that he is coming back from a serious knee injury, it appears as if he isn’t exactly essential to their defense. Now that he’s proven he is back and fully healthy, this could be the perfect time for the team to capitalize on his value on the trade market.
The Cowboys desperately need pass rush help on defense, and they could be willing to pay a pretty penny for a guy like Koonce. With some of the other aforementioned options being more expensive, Koonce could be a cheaper target for teams to pivot to. The Raiders’ trade deadline strategy could ultimately be determined by what happens in Week 9, which makes their upcoming contest against the Jaguars well worth watching.
Bills Legend Eric Moulds Sells Final Game-Worn Jersey to Support Teammate Battling Parkinson’s Disease
Buffalo, NY – November 1, 2025
In a gesture that’s brought a wave of emotion across
game-worn jersey from his final season to support a former teammate now facing the hardest battle of his life.
For fans who remember the late ’90s and early 2000s, Moulds was the lone constant in an era of instability. Known for his precision routes, contested catches, and quiet leadership, he became the franchise’s beacon of hope through years of quarterback turnover. From 1996 to 2005, he posted
675 receptions, 9,096 yards, and 48 touchdowns, including a historic 100-catch season in 2002, earning three Pro Bowl selections and a permanent place among the Bills’ all-time greats.
That former teammate is Takeo Spikes, the relentless linebacker who commanded Buffalo’s defense with passion and authority. During his time with the team (2003–2005), Spikes recorded over 200 tackles
, earned two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro selection in 2003, and became known as the emotional core of the defense — the “defensive quarterback” who brought fire to every down.
💬 “We carried this team through the storms — him on defense, me on offense,” Moulds said quietly. “Now that he’s fighting something far tougher than any Sunday battle, I want this jersey to fight for him — the same way he fought for Buffalo.”
Spikes, beloved for his intensity and leadership, has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that has gradually affected his movement and coordination. Despite the diagnosis, those close to him say his trademark energy and optimism haven’t faded — he continues to train, mentor young athletes, and advocate for player health awareness.
Moulds’ decision to sell his final jersey isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about brotherhood. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Bills Alumni Health & Wellness Fund
, supporting Spikes’ treatment and ongoing medical research into Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions among retired NFL players.
💬 “This jersey carried our pride, our pain, and our fight,” Moulds reflected.
