The NFL season is heating up despite the cold incoming in a few months. But things don’t really look good for the Dallas Cowboys. Their star pass rushers, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, are out with injuries. That leaves the defense scrambling. You’d think they’d make a move for someone like Haason Reddick to shore up their pass rush, right? But as per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, that idea has been tossed aside. The Cowboys have deemed a trade for Reddick as “non-viable.” Now that’s sus!

The Cowboys’ ability to pressure the QB is impeccable. Last season, the team ranked fifth in the league with 45 sacks and held a solid pass-rush win rate of 48.4%. However, with Parsons and Lawrence sidelined, that edge has dulled significantly. Just last week against the Eagles, they managed a measly one sack. This dip in pressure is troubling, allowing opposing quarterbacks to shine—like the 272.5 passing yards the Cowboys are now conceding per game.

Don’t forget Parsons! Nothing short of a game-changer last season, he tied for fourth in the NFL. Absolutely boasting an impressive 24.6% pass rush win rate. And that, my folks? That’s the second-best among edge rushers.

Lawrence isn’t one to be overlooked either. The dude contributed 10.5 sacks and a 21.1% win rate of his own. Without these two on the field, the Cowboys are left with a glaring void.

Enter rookie Marshawn Kneeland, who suddenly finds himself in the spotlight. While he flashed some potential during the preseason, the challenge of filling Parsons‘ and Lawrence’s shoes is daunting. Can he bring the same kind of pressure? What if he doesn’t deliver? The Cowboys’ playoff ambitions could be at serious risk. And with the team missing out on Hasson Reddick, Kneeland is the only one they can depend on.

Hasson Reddick: A missed opportunity for bolstering the defense

The decision to pass on Reddick brings up some tough questions about the Cowboys’ roster depth. Have they truly invested enough into their pass-rush talent? Right now, there’s a noticeable lack of experienced backups. And that makes Kneeland’s performance crucial.

Look up the past couple of years. The Cowboys have focused on building through the draft. That’s got them some impressive players like Parsons and Lawrence. But unfortunately, it has left them vulnerable when injuries strike. Bringing in Reddick could have been a safety net, giving them a veteran presence to lean on.

That said, perhaps the front office is playing the long game. With Haason Reddick’s contract sitting at three years and $45 million, they might see him as an expensive rental—an option they’d prefer to avoid. By giving Kneeland a chance, they’re banking on him developing into a cost-effective, long-term answer.

The Cowboys’ choice to skip the trade and rely on Kneeland is a bold gamble. With their pass rush in uneasy territory, the team’s fate could hinge on how this rookie performs. If Kneeland steps up, he could quickly become a fan favorite and help stabilize the defense. But if he falters, the defensive struggles that plague Dallas could continue. Fans are left holding their breath, waiting to see whether this decision pays off. Only time will tell if the Cowboys’ faith in their rookie is the right call.