Locked On Cowboys Podcast

Episode: Jerry Jones PROMISES Help for Cowboys Defense | Will They Make a DESPERATE Trade?
Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher), Landon McCool (@McCoolBCB)
Network: Locked On Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the state of the Dallas Cowboys defense following recent comments by owner Jerry Jones, who claimed that "help is on the way." Marcus and Landon analyze whether fans should expect reinforcements via trades, returning injured players, or simply incremental changes. They also address pressing mailbag questions, including positional concerns about the offensive line and linebackers, providing insight and realistic expectations for the team's near future.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Jerry Jones’ “Help is on the Way” Comments

[01:25–04:51]

• Jerry Jones recently stated that help is coming for the defense, sparking hopes among fans for outside additions.
• Landon's Take: Jerry’s statements are often meant to inspire hope but may not mean a major acquisition.
  • “I think Jerry was referring to [DeMarvion] Overshown and Butler and all the guys coming off these lists… starting to get healthy again.” (02:50, Landon)
• Marcus: Recalls Jerry’s annual pattern of promising internal reinforcements.
  • “This is what he does every year, like after the first four games of the season… somebody comes back in and solves all their problems.” (04:02, Marcus)

2. Will the Cowboys Make a Desperate Trade?

[04:02–07:44]

• Hosts agree a blockbuster trade for a marquee defender (e.g., Trey Hendrickson, Max Crosby) is unlikely.
  • “If we’re looking for a silver bullet that we’re going to trade one of these first-round picks for, that’s just not happening.” (07:19, Landon)
• More feasible: minor trades or rotational additions to modestly improve the defense.

3. Path to Defensive Respectability

[04:56–10:05]

• Cowboys’ defense currently ranks low in the NFL; improvement to even “average” could vault the team into playoff contention.
  • “You just need to get to like 17, 18. They might be the one seed if they’re that good.” (05:10, Marcus)
• Aggregating small improvements—rotation players, returning from injury, scheme tweaks—can raise the floor.
  • “It’s the Moneyball thing. In the aggregate, you can improve the floor of your defense…” (07:35, Landon)

Notable Quote

“There’s enough small moves you can cobble together… it’s the Moneyball thing. In the aggregate, you can improve the floor of your defense.” (07:35, Landon McCool)

4. Who Are the Potential Contributors?

[07:44–09:56]

• Perryon Winfrey’s Return: Adds rotational strength on the defensive line, especially for run defense.
• Redistributing snaps (e.g., reducing Sam Williams in favor of Davion Clowney) can marginally improve outcomes.
  • “Maybe not a huge difference, but it might make a big enough difference where you get one more stop a game.” (09:24, Marcus)

5. Importance of Scheme Learning Curve

[09:56–10:42]

• Defense is still adjusting to a new system; improvement could come organically as familiarity builds.
  • “Sometimes, it can take half a season to fully understand a defense…” (10:05, Landon)

6. Possibility of Trades as the Season Progresses

[10:42–11:35]

• If a “name” becomes available later (e.g., Will McDonald), a trade could happen—but expectation is for smaller moves.
  • “As of right now, I don’t anticipate a big, big move happening. But who knows? Jerry Jones is the gambler.” (10:42, Marcus)

Offensive Line Questions: Should Nate Thomas Start at Tackle?

[12:59–16:16]

• Discussion on whether Nate Thomas should be starting at tackle, and if so, which spot.
• Landon: Advocates for giving Thomas a real chance, sees potential for youth movement.
  • “Maybe the future is now with Nate Thomas.” (14:55, Landon)
• Marcus: Cautions against losing veteran experience, especially Terence Steele's run blocking and leadership.
  • “With so many injuries right now… it is nice to have one guy who’s been through some of these big games.” (15:34, Marcus)

Notable Quote

“I think you have to go with the youth in this situation… See what you’ve got in this guy.” (14:38, Landon McCool)

Additional Points:

• Tyler Guyton’s injury status may force a short-term move but doesn’t change the team’s long-term plans.
• Rotating offensive tackles advocated, with an openness to experimentation.
  • “I am not someone who is opposed to rotating series of offense with offensive tackles.” (16:44, Landon)

Linebacker Situation: Solutions and Speculation

[20:30–27:55]

Mailbag: Marquis Bell at Linebacker?

• Landon: Defensive staff likely trusts Jack Sanborn over moving someone like Marquis Bell, but deploying Bell as a coverage linebacker in nickel is plausible.
  • “If you’re thinking about putting him as your Will linebacker on first and second down… the hurdle you’re going to need to get over is getting this defensive coordinator to trust him.” (24:53, Landon)
• Marcus: Unlikely Bell sees increased snaps—team doesn’t view him as an LB at this point.
  • “He’s got two defensive snaps on the year. They obviously don’t trust him.” (25:29, Marcus)
• Shemar James seen as more plausible option due to athletic upside, despite processing issues.

Leupold's Upside | Overshown’s Return

• Leupold: Coaches should persist with him through mistakes, as he shows more upside than other fringe options.
• DeMarvion Overshown’s Activation:
  • Overshown likely to be eased back in, initially in subpackages, with hope he quickly becomes the primary snap-getter.
    • “They’ll have to be gentle with him… as the snaps kind of increase, you’ll see more and more of him.” (27:11, Landon)
  • Both express concern about overtaxing Overshown, given linebacker depth issues.
    • “I’m worried the Cowboys are gonna overwork him and it’s just not fair to him, like, because they need him.” (27:53, Marcus)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jerry Jones Bingo:
  "I have a tweet… that said I cannot wait for week five when Jerry Jones says reinforcements are on the way because this is what he does every year." (04:02, Marcus)
• On Defensive Rankings:
  “If they’re 20th on defense, that’s probably good enough to get you to 10-6-1 and that probably gets you in.” (05:34, Marcus)
• On Coaching Philosophy:
  "The one positive thing that we’ve seen from Mike McCarthy is getting opportunities for some of these guys…and even if it’s limited opportunity, if it’s the right opportunity, it’s important." (16:44, Landon)

Key Timestamps

• [01:25] Start of content: Jerry Jones “help is coming” claims
• [04:02] Examining the annual “reinforcements” narrative
• [07:29] Small, Moneyball-type moves vs. blockbuster trades
• [09:24] Snap distribution and minor defensive upgrades
• [10:42] Future trade possibilities, Will McDonald mention
• [12:59] Should Nate Thomas start at tackle?
• [16:44] Rotating linemen and coaching philosophy
• [20:30] Cowboys linebacker issues, audience mailbag
• [24:53] Marquis Bell and trust at linebacker
• [27:11] Expectation for Overshown’s return and usage

Takeaways

• Big splash moves for the defense are unlikely; expect minor tweaks or lower-profile trades at most.
• Team is banking on improvements from returning players and greater defensive cohesion as the season goes on.
• Offensive line youth movement is brewing; starting Nate Thomas is under serious consideration.
• Linebacker is the weakest position, but solutions will likely be internal with incremental adjustments and possible snaps for Overshown and Shemar James.

Stay tuned to Locked On Cowboys for daily insight as roster decisions and defensive tweaks unfold in real time.