The Dallas Cowboys lost out on one of their key targets in free agency.

Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean has chosen to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders instead of choosing division rivals the Dallas Cowboys.

The Raiders have signed a three-year, $36 million deal with Nakobe Dean and locked him into the squad.

According to Jane Slater from the NFL Network, the Cowboys also offered a similar deal to Dean, but Dean, however, chose the Raiders on a “gut feeling”.

Slater posted on X, “He was one of [the Cowboys’] 5 zooms allowed. I’m told their offer was similar to the Raiders, but ultimately he went with his gut feeling, but was told he could have seen himself in both places, and it was a “51/49” margin, but the Raiders won this one.”

Nakobe Dean has been with the Eagles for the past 4 seasons. In the 2025 season, he recorded 55 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection in 10 games, while starting 8 games.

The Dallas side needed to strengthen its defense following a horrific season. They ranked 30th in the passing yards allowed (377) and were the worst team in the league, conceding 60 touchdowns.

Considering the fact that the Cowboys also offered Dean a similar deal, fans have questioned his decision-making ability after he decided to move to the Raiders.

Fans left confused after Dean chooses the Raiders over the Cowboys

A fan penned his frustration, “Who chooses the Raiders over the Cowboys? That’s like choosing McDonald's over a steak dinner.”

To add to the drama, the current defensive coordinator of the Cowboys, Christian Parker, has previously worked with Dean in the Eagles. So it is even more surprising that Dean took this move.

A fan wrote on the matter, “Wait a minute. Same money and Dean goes to the worst team, a higher tax state, and DOES NOT REUNITE with DC Parker. Something is off here.”

The fact does remain, however, that the Cowboys and the Eagles are long-time division rivals. It may very well be that Dean simply did not want to face the Cowboys.

“Dean was more about the money than winning. Don’t discount the fact that he was an Eagle. The hatred runs deep between the Eagles and Cowboys,” one fan noted.

With Nakobe Dean off the table, the Cowboys are left scrambling to look for an alternate linebacker.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Kalp Thaker