Bobby Wagner is still a free agent, and I can’t figure out why Dallas haven’t brought him in yet. I know the guy is 36, but he finished last season with 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
He’s also started all 17 games the last four seasons, and judging by the numbers, no one told him he is supposed to be slowing down at his age.
Dallas, meanwhile, has gone through three different linebackers wearing the green dot this season. DeMarvion Overshown can’t stay healthy, Shemar James is still learning how to run a defense, and now Jaishawn Barham is getting work at outside linebacker.
We have all watched as Jerry Jones has spent a lot of money and draft capital to fix the defense. I just don’t see why adding a veteran player who can help this defense and young players hasn’t been signed.
Bobby Wagner’s Age Isn’t Showing in His Numbers
The first argument against signing Wagner will be his age, but if we look at his 2025 stats, the numbers will tell you he’s not finished.
Along with his 162 tackles, Wagner had eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits. He had a 90.4 run-defense grade and a 92.4 pass-rushing grade. I know both of those numbers would help this defense. His overall defensive grade had him ninth out of the linebackers.
This is where his age has caught up to him. In coverage grade, it dropped to a 51.1, and that would be something Christian Parker would have to account for.
The thing is, Dallas is allowing 147.4 rushing yards a game, ranking 31st in the NFL. We are letting teams get five yards a carry, and the defense can’t get off the field on third down.
I find it very hard to believe that Bobby Wagner couldn’t help.
Quinnen Williams is having a great year in the middle of the defensive line, and between him are Kenny Clark and Otito Ogbonnia. Those are some big bodies eating up space. Put Wagner behind them, and I think you’d see a lot less running backs getting through the middle untouched.
Wagner has made a career out of recognizing where the ball is going before everybody else figures it out. His legs might not be what they were five years ago, but his ability to diagnose a play hasn’t gone anywhere.
Dallas could definitely use a guy who knows where he is supposed to be before the snap.
Shemar James is the Big Reason to Sign Bobby Wagner
I’ve liked what we have seen from Shemar James. He’s made some plays, and Brian Schottenheimer has praised the way he communicates and handles the green dot.
That’s a big plus for a second-year linebacker who could end up running this defense for several seasons, but why not have him learn from Bobby Wagner?
James can spend hours studying film with the coaching staff, but there’s something different when you’re working beside someone that has been doing it at a high level for 14 years.
I would love for James to pick up some of that veteran knowledge.
Have Bobby Wagner work with him during the week, and let James learn how he studies opponents and what to look for before the snap. Give him a guy who can explain why an offense is doing something instead of simply telling him where he’s gotta line up.
If the Cowboys truly believe James is their future at middle linebacker, having Bobby Wagner around could speed up his development considerably.
If Wagner can still play well enough on Sundays, even better.
Jaishawn Barham’s Move Outside Makes This Interesting
The Cowboys have also started experimenting with Jaishawn Barham outside, which I think could turn out to be a good thing.
At the University of Michigan, Barham finished his college career rushing the passer, and Dallas has started giving him some outside linebacker reps off the edge.
Rather than forcing him to handle everything that comes with playing in the middle, I can’t wait to see what he does attacking offensive tackles.
DeMarvion Overshown is another issue. I think he has the talent to be a difference maker, but having the talent while being in street clothes on the sideline does nothing for this team. Dallas cannot build its linebacker plans around a player that doesn’t stay on the field.
Bobby Wagner would give Parker another option in the middle without having to move James out of the lineup.
Against teams that want to pound the football, I’d have no problem putting Wagner and James on the field together. Overshown could work from the weak side when he’s healthy , while Barham develops outside.
Dallas could use Bobby Wagner where his experience matters the most against the run, without exposing him unnecessarily in coverage.
I like that setup much better than asking the young guys to handle all the responsibilities while they are still learning.
What are the Cowboys Waiting On?
We’ve watched as this defense has improved in areas like the passing game and the pass rush thanks to the interior defensive line. Parker is starting to string some things together, and I don’t want to ignore that progress just because there are still problems.
But giving up almost 150 rushing yards a game isn’t something Dallas can keep doing.
Neither is the opportunity to develop a young linebacker who might be the guy running the defense for years to come.
Wagner can help in both areas.
Shemar James would have someone to learn from who has already been there and done that. Jaishawn Barham could concentrate on the outside, and Overshown wouldn’t have to carry so much of the defense when he’s healthy enough to actually play.
Jerry Jones has spent too much trying to rebuild this defense to ignore somebody who could help out.
And if Bobby Wagner can help Dallas win games while teaching Shemar James, I would have a hard time finding a better reason to make the phone call.
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