Cowboys waive LB Logan Wilson, clear $6.5 million in salary-cap space

The Dallas Cowboys have waived linebacker logan wilson, a move that frees $6. 5 million in salary-cap space and represents the franchise's first roster change under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The decision follows Wilson's midseason acquisition and a limited role during the 2025 campaign.

What happened and what’s new — Logan Wilson

The team announced on Friday that it has waived linebacker Logan Wilson. Wilson, 29, appeared in seven games for the Cowboys in 2025 and made one start, recording 24 total tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in that span. He had no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, and the transaction yields $6. 5 million in cap relief for the club.

Wilson was acquired at the NFL trade deadline on November 4 in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. Across his time with both teams last season, he played in 15 games and compiled 70 tackles, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. While with Dallas he played roughly half of the defensive snaps and was viewed as offering limited impact in run defense, coverage and the pass rush.

The decision removes logan wilson from the active roster and creates immediate financial flexibility ahead of the league's legal tampering period and the start of the new league year.

Behind the headline

This is the first personnel move made with Christian Parker running the defense. In his introductory press conference, Parker outlined a defensive focus on stopping the run and creating pressure on quarterbacks, emphasizing fundamentals such as shedding blocks, tackling and situational awareness. The waive of Wilson underscores an early attempt to align roster personnel with that stated vision.

The transaction comes amid a broader, trade-heavy roster overhaul that produced multiple additions during the 2025 season. Earlier moves included a deadline acquisition of a defensive tackle in exchange for multiple draft picks and players, and the club completed several other in-season trades to add reinforcements at wide receiver, defensive line, quarterback, cornerback and linebacker.

With the financial space created, the team has options entering the offseason: pursue targets in the free-agent tampering window beginning March 9; make trades once the league year opens on March 11; or prioritize internal development and lower-cost signings to reshape the linebacker group.

What we still don’t know

• Whether the team will prioritize signing a veteran linebacker in the legal tampering window beginning March 9, or wait until the league year opens on March 11 to execute trades or signings.
• Which specific roster spots the club will target with the newly freed $6. 5 million in cap space.
• How Parker plans to reallocate playing time and scheme responsibilities among remaining linebackers and defensive front personnel.
• Whether the club will pursue another trade partner in the coming weeks or rely primarily on free agency and internal options.

What happens next

• Free-agent pursuit: The team could use the cap room to engage in the legal tampering period beginning March 9 and attempt to sign an upgrade at linebacker; success would be triggered by an agreement with a free agent.
• Trade activity: With the league year opening March 11, the club might pursue a trade to address linebacker or defensive-line needs; a new acquisition would likely follow formal trade discussions and roster evaluations.
• Internal promotion: The staff could elevate a younger or existing roster linebacker into a larger role as coaching evaluations continue under Parker; playing-time increases and offseason practice reports would signal this path.
• Salary-cap reallocation: The team may spread the $6. 5 million across multiple needs, using it to retain or add depth at several positions rather than a single marquee signing; subsequent roster moves and contract announcements would reveal this approach.

Why it matters

The waive of Logan Wilson has immediate and practical implications. Financially, it creates clear cap space that gives the club flexibility entering both the tampering window and the start of the new league year. Strategically, it signals that the new defensive leadership is willing to make personnel changes to better fit a stated emphasis on run defense and quarterback pressure. For players, it sends a message about performance expectations and the types of traits the staff prioritizes when configuring the linebacker unit.

Near term, the roster move opens a window for both acquisitions and internal adjustments that will shape the defense heading into the offseason program and beyond. The team's next visible steps—free-agent signings, trades, or depth promotions—will offer clearer insight into how the front office and coaching staff plan to translate Parker's schematic vision into personnel decisions.