Cowboys Willing To “Give Up The Future” For Big-Name Player

The Cowboys made a handful of notable additions this offseason, including the acquisitions of defenders Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson. If Jerry Jones has his way, the franchise may not be done.

While speaking with reporters today, the Cowboys owner expressed optimism about the current state of his roster. In fact, Jones is so confident that he admitted that he’d be willing to “get a splash player” to make the Cowboys a bona fide Super Bowl contender (per ESPN’s Lindsay Thiry). ESPN’s Todd Archer provides a bit more context, passing along Jones’ comments that he’d be willing to “give up the future” in a trade and had conversations with an owner as recently as yesterday.

While Jones’ declaration is newsworthy, it’s hardly surprising. Just last year, the Cowboys were on both ends of a blockbuster trade. The team sent Micah Parsons to the Packers for a deal that included two first-round picks, and they later traded a conditional first to acquire Quinnen Williams from the Jets.

The Cowboys were involved in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes before he was traded to the Ravens, but Jones stated the team wouldn’t consider another pursuit after the pass rusher’s failed physical sent him back to Las Vegas. Interestingly, the owner seemed to walk back those statements today, telling reporters that the team never lost interest in Crosby:

“We didn’t. We did not walk away,” Jones said (via Jon Machota of The Athletic).

Jones wouldn’t elaborate much on the team’s apparent renewed interest in Crosby. The owner told reporters that he didn’t want to get dinged for tampering, noting that the star pass rusher is “a Raider.”

While Jones and the Cowboys have been focused on reinforcing the roster, the team has also devoted time to retaining their current players. The team re-signed running back Javonte Williams to a new deal this offseason, and they kicked the George Pickens can down the road after hitting the WR with the franchise tag. The team’s next priority will likely be signing Quinnen Williams to a new long-term deal, with EVP Stephen Jones acknowledging that he’s already talked with the player’s camp.

“Absolutely. We’re very open to that,” Jones said of a potential extension (via Machota). “We want Quinnen here for the long haul.”

Williams had a productive seven-game showing during his half-season in Dallas, tallying 1.5 sacks, nine QB hits, and three tackles for loss. The former third-overall pick inked a four-year, $96MM extension with the Jets back in 2023 that will last through the 2027 campaign, so there’s no true urgency to extend Williams today. Still, considering the increased going rate for defensive tackles, the Cowboys may want to extend their acquisition before they’re priced out.