The Cincinnati Bengals have traded veteran linebacker Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the NFL trade deadline, signaling a bold youth movement on defense. With rising rookies Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. stepping up as key playmakers, head coach Zac Taylor is betting on the future. Wilson now joins a struggling Cowboys defense looking for leadership and experience to spark a playoff push.
The Cincinnati Bengals made a bold statement ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline by sending veteran linebacker Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick. The move underscores the Bengals’ full commitment to their young linebacker corps, led by promising rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter.
The transition began back on October 12 in Green Bay — the same day Joe Flacco made his first start as Cincinnati’s quarterback. That’s when head coach Zac Taylor turned to Carter and Knight as his primary linebackers, with Wilson shifting to a reserve role. Carter, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson, took over play-calling duties with the green dot helmet, while Knight, a second-round pick from South Carolina, quickly became one of the NFL’s most productive rookie defenders.
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According to Pro Football Reference, Knight currently leads all rookie linebackers with 68 combined tackles. Meanwhile, Carter has recorded three double-digit tackle games in his first four starts, showcasing the consistency and energy the Bengals coaching staff envisioned when drafting him.
Taylor has been vocal about his belief in the young duo, even amid the growing pains that come with inexperience.
“That’s just the decision we made,” Taylor said on Monday. “We see the potential with these guys. We see some leadership qualities in them. It’s not going to be perfect — there will be some learning moments — but I believe they’re going to start playing at a high level.”
Taylor emphasized that both linebackers are still early in their professional journeys — with just nine and five starts, respectively — but he trusts their instincts and development.
A Veteran’s Legacy
Wilson, 29, leaves Cincinnati as one of the team’s most respected leaders. A third-round pick in 2020, he served as a team captain this season and was the Bengals’ longest-tenured defensive player. Over his career in Cincinnati, Wilson tallied 11 interceptions, tying for the most among all linebackers in the 2020s — a mark shared with Chicago’s Tremaine Edmunds.
Though his stats speak volumes, Wilson’s impact on the Bengals goes beyond numbers. His most memorable play came in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round against the Titans, when he intercepted Ryan Tannehill in the final seconds to set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal. That moment propelled Cincinnati to its first AFC Championship appearance since 1988.
Wilson also delivered standout performances throughout his Bengals tenure — including a two-interception, 14-tackle game in Pittsburgh, a career-high 17 tackles versus Cleveland during the 2022 winning streak, and two picks against Matthew Stafford in a 2023 victory over the Rams.
However, Wilson’s name will forever be linked to one of the most controversial plays in recent Super Bowl history. In Super Bowl LVI, with the Bengals leading 20–16, Wilson was flagged for a defensive holding penalty while covering Cooper Kupp on a crucial third down. The call extended the Rams’ drive and set up Kupp’s game-winning touchdown — a bitter memory for Cincinnati fans and players alike.
Fresh Start in Dallas
Wilson requested a trade earlier this season, seeking a fresh opportunity after his reduced role. In Dallas, he’s expected to step immediately into a starting position on a Cowboys defense that has struggled recently. The Cowboys, sitting at 3–5–1, entered Monday night ranked near the bottom of the league defensively — even giving up a 115.1 passer rating to Arizona backup Jacoby Brissett in their latest loss.
Team owner Jerry Jones, speaking before the deal was finalized, hinted that he was ready to make moves to reignite Dallas’s playoff hopes.
“I like our nuts and bolts a lot,” Jones said via Pro Football Talk. “I don’t like what’s happening to the nuts and bolts, but I like them a lot.”
For the Bengals, the trade officially marks the next phase of their defensive rebuild. With Wilson gone, defensive tackle B.J. Hill becomes the team’s longest-tenured defender at 73 games, followed closely by Trey Hendrickson with 72.
While losing a veteran leader is never easy, Cincinnati’s commitment to developing its young talent is clear. Taylor’s confidence in Carter and Knight signals a belief that the future of the Bengals’ defense is already taking shape — one built on speed, discipline, and youthful energy.
