The Dallas Cowboys are staring at a crisis after their Week 8 meltdown against the Denver Broncos, a 44–24 blowout that has amplified every doubt about this roster. And right as the outside noise hit its peak, Jerry Jones‘s son and Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones stepped up with a message about where the franchise stands heading into the deadline.

Stephen Jones didn’t mince words nor dance around with excuses. He was bluntly honest about what the Cowboys need and what they don’t. When asked about what the organization would target before the deadline, Jones shut down the idea of adding depth for the sake of activity.

“We don’t really feel like we need down-the-line guys…I mean, we need a guy who’d be a front-line guy who’d make a difference.”

He came up with a direct message: Dallas isn’t chasing bodies, only difference-makers. If the Cowboys make a move, it won’t be a panic buy. It will be a power swing.

And the numbers show why he’s thinking big. The Broncos ran wild, piling up 179 rushing yards and averaging 6.4 yards per carry, shredding Dallas’ front seven. It was a continuation of a trend. Sunday marked the fifth time this season Dallas gave up 144+ rushing yards and allowed 6.2 yards per carry or more.

That’s not just bad, that’s historically alarming. Jones was quite candid about the gravity of the situation, indicating that one splash move isn’t going to magically save this unit: “Are we one player away on defense? I think we’re not. I think we’re more than that away, but what we’re closer to than it looks, in my mind, is executing better on defense.”

In other words, the Cowboys need elite talent and better execution. It’s not just a personnel crisis; it’s a performance too.

The Dallas Cowboys now rank 32nd in total defense and 30th in points allowed, having allowed 250 points through eight games, the third-worst start in franchise history. It has not looked this bad since either the franchise’s first year in 1960 or the 2020 collapse season.

The injuries have been brutal; all three top safeties were out against Denver, including Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, and Juanyeh Thomas, and more went down in the middle of the game. But injuries don’t excuse a defense that failed to sack Bo Nix.

That was a mentality shared in the locker room after the game by quarterback Dak Prescott, who refused to feed into the narrative that Dallas needs to shop its way to stability.

“You see some of these games we’ve won and honestly even the tie [against Green Bay] and some of the games we’ve lost … our roster is OK. Can it be better? That’s for you guys to write about and to judge.”

That says it all about the internal attitude of Dallas. If the Cowboys do make a move, it’ll be big. But effort, discipline, and execution? That has to come from within.

While the Cowboys talk of internal solutions and selective aggression, ESPN stirred a different kind of conversation, one that almost no one in Dallas wants to entertain about their placekicker.

Brandon Aubrey trade rumors amid Jones’ statement

Analyst Bill Barnwell of ESPN threw out a suggestion of the Cowboys trading star kicker Brandon Aubrey as part of a list of hypothetical trade chips for teams that could pivot toward selling. The argument was that Aubrey is elite, in a contract year, already 30, and could net real draft value from a contender.

Barnwell said, “A going-nowhere Cowboys team doesn’t have much use for Aubrey, and although kickers can play into their 40s, the former soccer player is already 30 years old. He’s obviously a valuable player, but Aubrey is eligible for an extension next offseason, and the Cowboys need to save money around Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to address their defense.”

Aubrey has been one of the few constants on a team otherwise dealing with volatility everywhere. Moving him is simply not in Jerry Jones’ DNA.

Barnwell also listed guys like Jonathan Mingo, Javonte Williams, Mazi Smith and Kenny Clark. Aubrey isn’t just another name being tossed around this trade season, he’s been one of the few constants for Dallas, delivering week after week when it matters most.

Could another contender come calling? Possibly. But it’s hard to see the Cowboys picking up the phone. From the tone inside the building to their history under pressure, Dallas seems focused on competing, tightening execution, and adding only if the move makes true sense.

In reality, this talk feels more like deadline buzz than a genuine plan. The Cowboys have no reason to move on from one of the NFL’s steadiest kickers, especially when he’s been part of the solution, not the problem.