NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys linked to $22.5 million Minnesota Vikings star in potential defensive fix

The Dallas Cowboys may have rebuilt major parts of their defense over the past year, but one concern still hangs over the roster as training camp approaches. The middle of the field remains shaky, and fresh trade speculation now links Dallas to a veteran tackling machine who could instantly stabilize the unit.According to a recent trade pitch from Heavy.com, the Cowboys could pursue Blake Cashman from the Minnesota Vikings in what would likely be a low-risk move with potentially massive upside. Dallas has already made aggressive defensive upgrades this offseason, yet linebacker depth continues to feel unfinished.The front office clearly believes this roster is built to compete now. That urgency is exactly why the Cashman rumors are gaining traction.Dallas has spent the last two offseasons pouring resources into its defense. The team added major names to the defensive front and secondary, hoping to erase the struggles that led to one of the league’s worst defensive finishes in 2025.Still, inside linebacker remains the weak spot.Cashman enters the final year of a three-year, $22.5 million contract and is coming off another productive tackling season. Even while missing time, he piled up 144 tackles in only 13 games last season. That kind of production is hard to ignore for a Cowboys defense desperate for consistency between the hashes.The Vikings may also be preparing for life after Cashman. Minnesota recently drafted linebacker Jake Golday in the second round and extended Eric Wilson, creating speculation that changes could be coming.Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker addressed Cashman’s uncertain future directly.“Once the centerpiece of Minnesota’s fabulous defense, Cashman could be on the move after a down year,” Locker wrote. “In 2025, Cashman didn’t look like the strong linebacker of the last two years. His overall PFF grade dipped from 72.0 to 63.6, punctuated by his 48.6 PFF coverage grade. Nevertheless, he was good as a downhill player with a 7.7% run stop rate and a 5.3% missed tackle clip. In light of Cashman’s decline as well as this being the final year of his contract, the Vikings drafted linebacker Jake Golday in the second round as well as extended Eric Wilson. That suggests that either he or Ivan Pace Jr. could have their days numbered in purple.”The Cowboys know all too well how quickly linebacker depth can collapse. Injuries and inconsistency wrecked the position last season, and the team never truly recovered.DeMarvion Overshown continues to flash talent, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his development. Dee Winters adds athleticism, yet relying entirely on unproven options could become dangerous for a team with playoff expectations.That is why Cashman makes sense. He would not require a blockbuster package, and his $7.5 million salary remains manageable for Dallas. More importantly, he brings experience, physicality, and proven tackling production to a defense trying to avoid another collapse in the middle of the field.With the Cowboys pushing for immediate contention, the front office may not want to gamble on potential alone anymore.