Cowboys refusing to trade Aldon Smith?

The Dallas Cowboys already started making changes with the Everson Griffen trade, and the rumor mill is buzzing with the NFL trade deadline closing in. However, even amid a disastrous season, it seems the Cowboys are making one defensive player untouchable.

Just days after trading Griffen, part of a series of moves before Week 8, Dallas started getting calls about one of its top edge-rushers. Unfortunately for NFL teams, it seems the Cowboys aren’t even interested in hearing offers.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Seattle Seahawks are among a handful of NFL teams that called the Cowboys about Aldon Smith. Ultimately, they were all informed that the 6-foot-4 pass-rusher will be staying in Dallas.

It’s a bit surprising that the Cowboys aren’t even willing to discuss a trade. They signed Smith to a cheap, one-year contract, and he was reinstated after a five-year hiatus.

Since returning to the field, the 31-year-old has been one of the team’s few reliable players on the defensive side. He has four sacks and five quarterback hits in seven games and boasts the 16th-highest pass-rushing grade (74.4), per Pro Football Focus.

Given his cap-friendly contract and his outstanding abilities, Smith would certainly net the Cowboys a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. But, per Garafolo, Jerry Jones is instead focused on a contract extension.

In the Cowboys' defense, they still have a shot at winning the NFC East. While those odds are dwindling by the week, trading Smith would be another step back for the NFL’s worst defense.

It won’t be a surprise if the Cowboys sell more pieces before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. However, the likes of Smith, Michael Gallup and Demarcus Lawrence will remain in Dallas.