The Dallas Cowboys did not know at the time they were making last week’s draft for linebacker Dee Winters that Winters was, in fact, right down the road. Winters is a Texas guy through and through, having played prep ball at Burton High before playing for TCU in college, and was moving into a new house in Arlington, a house he bought sure he was going back to play for the 49ers next season.
But that’s when Cowboys COO Stephen Jones called Winters to tell him that his commute was about to get a lot shorter. They’d sent a fifth-rounder to San Francisco for Winters, and now, he has a chance to be the starter in the middle of the defense, at linebacker.
Winters met with Cowboys beat reporters on Thursday, and said he did not foresee this trade coming down, especially not after he’d started 17 games for the 49ers last year.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised quite a bit,” he said. “I sent my truck out there so didn’t have a plan to be traded. Everything happens for a reason. Exited to be back home and getting to play for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Dee Winters: No Experience as ‘Green Dot’
Among the interesting revelations from Winters’ interview was that he really has not been a “green dot” linebacker before, meaning he has not been the play-caller. One of the concerns about this team’s defense in 2025 was that it had a difficult time even getting organized and lined up correctly, and the hope is that whomever starts at linebacker can fill that role.
Winters said he can handle the role. He’s never really done it before, which is sure to raise some angst among the Cowboys faithful, but it’s likely there is too much emphasis put on the job–it’s really just calling plays for a group of pros.
Asked if he has green-dot experience, Winters said, “I do not. Actually, last year was the first time that they started implementing me in that spot a little bit. As far as experience, I haven’t really had any, I have only done a few practices with the green dot. So that will be new but, it’s a first time for everything. I am willing to do whatever it takes.”
Cowboys Hoping to Free Up Linebackers
But the good news from Winters when it comes to his role with the Cowboys is that Parker intends to get him into space, where he and fellow linebacker DeMarvion Overshown could be havoc-wreakers. Both have speed and playmaking ability, and Winters said he is already looking forward to that.
Winters said: “I’m not really familiar with the scheme yet, but from what I’m learning right now, it looks like I’m going to be in a lot of space, and I’m excited about that. The way that I move in open space, and when I don’t have to deal with some O-linemen, football is way more fun that way. This scheme fits perfectly for me.”
Cowboys’ Dee Winters Sounds off on ‘Surprise’ Trade