Dallas Cowboys Dismiss Speculation Surrounding Jerome Ford Trade
The Dallas Cowboys are facing scrutiny as they grapple with inconsistencies in their defensive play, particularly following a shaky performance in their recent win against the New York Giants. Despite securing a victory, the Cowboys’ defense raised eyebrows, especially the secondary, which has been a focal point for improvement.
Defensive Adjustments Underway
To address these concerns, the Cowboys made a strategic move by signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. While Clowney may not directly enhance coverage, his ability to pressure quarterbacks could alleviate some of the defensive burden, allowing the secondary to perform better against opposing pass games. The urgency for further reinforcements grows as the NFL trade deadline approaches, particularly if the team’s defensive struggles persist.
Jerome Ford: A Surprising Trade Target
Amid discussions of potential trades, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlighted Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford as a candidate on the trading block. Ford’s dwindling role in the Browns’ offense has been evident, as he garnered only seven touches in the season opener and transitioned into primarily a receiving-back role the following week, where he caught five passes. With the prospect of free agency looming in 2026, the Browns may consider trading Ford, leveraging his breakaway speed and past performance of exceeding 500 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons.
However, the notion of the Cowboys pursuing Ford seems illogical, particularly given their current backfield situation.
Cowboys’ Backfield Depth
Dallas boasts a productive ground game led by starting running back Javonte Williams, who has accumulated 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first two weeks, averaging 4.6 yards per carry—a significant improvement from his previous season in Denver. The presence of Williams diminishes the need for additional running back support.
While Ford possesses the potential to serve as an explosive change-of-pace back, the Cowboys are satisfied with the contributions from Miles Sanders. Additionally, they have Jaydon Blue waiting in the wings, who could provide similar skill sets to what Ford offers without necessitating a trade.
Conclusion on Trade Speculation
In summary, while the idea of trading for Jerome Ford may have some merit from Cleveland’s perspective, it does not align with Dallas’s current needs. The Cowboys appear to be focused on shoring up their defense rather than making changes to their running back corps. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Dallas addresses their challenges on the defensive side of the ball as they strive to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
