NFL trade rumors: Dallas Cowboys eye bold move for son of Philadelphia Eagles legend in rivalry twist

The Dallas Cowboys have taken a closer look at one of the more intriguing linebacker prospects in this draft class, hosting former Missouri standout Josiah Trotter for a workout ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The update surfaced through Trotter’s Instagram story on March 27, offering a small but telling glimpse into Dallas’ plans. If the Cowboys follow through on that interest, it could set up a rare family split across the NFC East, with Trotter potentially lining up against his own blood twice a year.There is history attached to the name. Trotter is the son of Jeremiah Trotter, a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Eagles defense for years, and the brother of Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who already has a Super Bowl ring from his rookie season in Philadelphia. The idea of another Trotter stepping into the league carries weight on its own. The possibility of him doing so in Dallas adds a layer of tension that the rivalry rarely needs help creating.Josiah’s path to this point has not been long, but it has been eventful. He arrived at West Virginia with promise, then lost crucial development time after tearing his ACL during spring practice in 2023. It could have stalled him. Instead, it sharpened the focus. When he finally saw the field in 2024, he played with urgency and control, piling up 92 tackles and quickly earning recognition as the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.A transfer to Missouri followed, and the jump to the SEC did not slow him down. If anything, it clarified what he is. Trotter plays downhill, reads quickly, and rarely looks out of place. He closed his 2025 season with 84 tackles, including 13 for loss, and earned first-team All-SEC honors. Across two seasons as a starter, he produced 176 tackles while adapting to two systems without much drop-off.Dallas Cowboys has reasons to keep looking at that profile. Injuries have left the linebacker room unstable. DeMarvion Overshown remains the most dynamic option but has struggled to stay on the field after multiple serious knee injuries. With his contract nearing its end and little clarity on an extension, the position lacks certainty. The offseason departures of veterans have only thinned the group further.There is also a schematic shift underway. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is expected to lean into a 3-4 base, a system that demands instinctive, physical linebackers who can control the middle. Trotter fits that mold more naturally than most in this class.Dallas Cowboys has already spent time with him at the scouting combine. This latest workout feels less like a routine check and more like due diligence on a real option. If the draft falls a certain way, the Cowboys could end up with a player who not only fills a need but adds another chapter to one of the league’s most familiar football families.