The Dallas Cowboys made waves at the NFL trade deadline — but not for reasons their fans had hoped. Instead of a blockbuster deal, the team made a questionable trade for Jonathan Mingo, giving up a 2025 fourth-round pick for the underperforming wide receiver. But that wasn’t the only eyebrow-raising move from Dallas on deadline day.
Just hours after the trade deadline, the Cowboys released defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. And if Phillips’ social media activity is any indicator, he couldn’t wait to get out of Dallas. In a now-deleted post, Phillips hinted at a reunion with the Buffalo Bills, showing just how eager he was to leave.
Cowboys Release Jordan Phillips After Short-Lived Stint
The Cowboys acquired Phillips from the New York Giants during training camp, sending a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for the DT and a 2026 seventh-rounder. However, the trade quickly turned into a flop. The deal would only be valid if Phillips played in at least two games — and he did, barely. After two appearances, Phillips was placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury in October, a move that raised eyebrows as he expressed frustration, suggesting he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Mike Zimmer, Dallas’ defensive consultant, reportedly made the call to bench Phillips, indicating the coaching staff had seen enough. The Cowboys opened Phillips’ 21-day practice window on Oct. 25, but despite looking healthy in practice, he was never activated back to the main roster.
Trade Backfires as Phillips’ Time in Dallas Ends Abruptly
The release marks the end of a disappointing stint for Phillips in Dallas. Acquired as a potential solution for the Cowboys’ interior defensive line, Phillips instead became a liability, unable to crack the rotation. His exit only emphasizes how poorly the trade was handled, costing the Cowboys a future draft pick for a player who barely contributed.
Both Dallas and Phillips appear relieved to be moving on. The defensive tackle, a third-stringer in New York before the trade, was never going to be a game-changer. The fact that it took only two games for Zimmer and the Cowboys to pull the plug on him highlights the mismatch.
A Costly Mistake in Dallas’ Roster Management
This saga leaves Dallas with a bitter taste. The gamble on Phillips backfired, and the loss of a draft pick only compounds the issue. The timing, right after the disappointing trade for Jonathan Mingo, makes the move look even worse in hindsight.
For Phillips, a return to the Bills seems likely, and it’s clear he’s happy to be headed back. For Dallas, the release is just one more example of the team’s struggles with midseason roster decisions, and it points to a deeper issue in their talent evaluation.
As both sides part ways, it’s safe to say that neither Phillips nor the Cowboys will look back fondly on this brief, failed experiment.
