Cowboys insider drops telling hint about possible Jalen Tolbert trade
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert may not be a part of the team much longer as the trade deadline approaches.
The trade chatter around Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is starting to heat up, and now, one insider says the team may already be preparing for a move.
Trade rumors swirl around Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert ahead of deadline
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Todd Archer listed Tolbert as the Cowboys player “most likely to be traded” ahead of the November 4 NFL trade deadline, citing his declining role in the offense with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickins leading the way, and KaVontae Turpin and Ryan Flournoy on the rise.
“He is on the final year of his deal, and his production has dropped alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens,” Archer wrote. “Receiver-needy teams might be willing to part with a draft pick or defensive player for him.”
Through eight games, Tolbert has managed just 14 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown, making him an expendable piece for a team sitting at 3-4-1 and juggling whether to buy or sell at the deadline.
Now, Cowboys insider Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan says signs from this week’s practices suggest Tolbert might not even be active Sunday, which could be a clue the front office is preserving him for a trade.
.@BobbyBeltTX on @toddarcher saying #DallasCowboys' WR Jalen Tolbert could get moved
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 30, 2025
"I don't like revealing trade secrets, but there's a tell each week as to who might be inactive. ... Tolbert had that tell yesterday at practice. ... That feels like a move that could happen." pic.twitter.com/LzakRMiITZ
“There’s a tell each week as to who might be active or inactive based on practice,” Belt explained. “Jalen Tolbert had that tell yesterday. I don’t know that he would be active this week… it does make me think there’s at least some sort of falling out of favor or preservation there.”
Belt added that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Tolbert is traded within the next week, even for a late-round pick or depth player.
“If you get anything in return knowing he’s not coming back, even if it’s a seventh-rounder...I’d take whatever,” he said.
The Cowboys could also explore a player-for-player swap, Belt speculated, potentially flipping Tolbert for a veteran linebacker or defensive help, areas Dallas has struggled with amid inconsistent play and injuries.
Despite owner Jerry Jones insisting this week that “there hasn’t been anything close to a deal,” the combination of Tolbert’s shrinking role, his contract status, and mounting speculation from multiple outlets all point to the great possibility Jalen Tolbert’s time in Dallas may be running out.
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