BREAKING: The Cowboys Wanted an Alpha — and George Pickens Turned Into a Full-Blown Monster in Dallas! Now Top-2 in the NFL, Dominating MNF… and Forcing Dallas to PAY UP!
In a move that underscores the ruthless nature of the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys have parted ways with linebacker Damone Clark, a key contributor to their defense in recent years. The release came on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, a mere 24 hours after the team secured a convincing 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. This win marked the first time this season that the Cowboys’ defense appeared truly competent, but it wasn’t enough to save Clark’s spot on the roster.
Clark, a 25-year-old fifth-round pick (No. 176 overall) out of LSU in the 2022 NFL Draft, had been with the Cowboys for his entire professional career, spanning five seasons. He emerged as a reliable starter, particularly in 2023 when he started all 17 regular-season games and racked up a career-high 109 tackles. Over 26 career starts in Dallas, Clark proved his value as an inside linebacker, but the team’s ongoing defensive overhaul left no room for sentimentality. He was one of three players released that day, alongside center Wesley French and tight end John Stephens, as the Cowboys continued to reshape their lineup amid a challenging season.
The timing of the cut feels particularly cold-blooded. Coming off a game where the defense finally showed signs of life—holding the Raiders to just 16 points and forcing key stops—fans might have expected stability. Instead, the front office acted swiftly, signaling a clear shift in priorities. Heading into Week 11, the Cowboys boasted the league’s 31st-ranked defense, with the inside linebacker group arguably the weakest unit on the roster. Desperate for improvement, the team made bold moves in recent weeks that ultimately sealed Clark’s fate.
The turning point began on November 4, when the Cowboys swung a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire inside linebacker Logan Wilson. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal on X: “A deal for Dallas: Cowboys are finalizing a trade to acquire Bengals MLB Logan Wilson, sources tell me and Todd Archer. Earlier Monday, Jerry Jones told Stephen A. Smith that the Cowboys have made a trade ahead of Tuesday’s NFL deadline. It is expected to be for Wilson, for whom the Bengals have been seeking a sixth-round pick. Wilson signed four-year $36 million extension in July 2023 that still has two years remaining on it after this season.” In exchange, Dallas sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to Cincinnati, adding a proven veteran to their linebacker corps.
Adding to the reinforcements, the Cowboys activated heralded inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown from injured reserve ahead of schedule. Overshown, who missed his entire 2023 rookie season due to a torn ACL, had a breakout year in 2024 before suffering a devastating injury (tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL) in Week 14 against the Bengals. Initially projected to return for the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Overshown instead suited up for the Raiders game. In limited snaps, he made an immediate impact with one tackle for loss, injecting energy into a unit that had been struggling.
With these additions, the Cowboys’ inside linebacker room has transformed from a liability to a potential strength. Kenneth Murray Jr., rookie Shemar James, and Marist Liufau form a versatile three-headed monster at the position, complementing Overshown and Wilson. Looking ahead, don’t be surprised if James emerges as a starter alongside Wilson and Overshown, potentially pushing Murray to a rotational role. This depth made Clark expendable, despite his past contributions.
Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the decision with a mix of encouragement and realism. Speaking to Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News, Schottenheimer said, “I told him your career is just getting started. Sometimes change is good. I really believe that. It’s not bull (expletive) … he means a lot to me and this gives Damone a chance to find a new home.” While the words may offer some solace to the now-free-agent linebacker, they highlight the business side of football—where performance and fit trump loyalty.
As the Cowboys push forward in a season marked by defensive woes, this cut could prove pivotal. If the revamped linebacker group continues to gel, as glimpsed in the Raiders win, Dallas might salvage their campaign and make a late playoff push. For Clark, the search for a new team begins now, armed with his proven track record and the knowledge that in the NFL, opportunity often arises from unexpected endings.
