Cowboys Trade Rumor: No. 1 Target is Jaylon Johnson.

Yeah, couple key differences here.

Roq made it clear he wanted to "reset the market" and be the highest-paid at his position.  If you recall, a knock on him was the very same as the one on JJ -- he didn't force as many turnovers as other "elite" players did.

JJ isn't talking like that.  He wants to be well paid for sure but he isn't claiming to be the top CB in the league or asking for market re-setting money.

Roq was also a bit of a PITA off the field.  He lost his playbook.  He got caught partying with pornstars in public during Covid lockdowns.  He held out (or "held in") TWICE.  He refused to hire an agent.  Then he went out of his way to throw shade at Family Fest by publicly saying the Bears weren't negotiating "in good faith" with him.

JJ has been a good soldier and not an off-field embarrassment.

Finally, Roq plays ILB; JJ plays CB.  CB >> ILB in terms of impact.  If you're gonna pay an ILB $20+M/yr, he better be taking the ball away a lot.  It's simply a less premium position on defense.

IMO, unless JJ is quietly demanding ridiculous money, he's a no-brainer to re-sign.  We aren't tearing down this year.  We are rebuilding and he's a solid B+ starter at a key position who is only 24 yo.

Ravens paid what he wanted, and Poles stuck on his own number which was less than market was willing to pay.  I worry about that scenario repeating. And it doesn’t require JJ asking for a ridiculous salary — only what Poles is unwilling to pay and some other GM (Cowboys?) will pay.  

I think Poles keeps him, IF, Flus was a hybrid or 3-4 DC. 

Question w/Johnson is, can he have enough success as an offball CB in a zone to justify offering what he deserves as man cover CB. Johnson might be another necessary cut/trade b/c he doesn't fit the def of the guy Poles hired. 

Poles can be blamed for hiring Flus for that reason alone. But it is what it is at this point. I hope he keeps him, I hope he pays him, but I'll understand if he doesn't.

Quan didn't fit the scheme, everyone should understand that, everything about drafting him at the time they did was about is it worth drafting a 3-4 ilb top 10, it's not the same as a 4-3 mlb. it's harder to draft 4-3mlb's and 3-4 ilbs can be had later and be just as good. 

Market gets reset every year. NFL salaries go one direction. Roquan anchors the Ravens defense giving up 13.6 ppg.  

 As I said, in the end, this will come down to what Poles is willing to pay Vs. what some other GM will offer.