Jerry Jones signals a shift in strategy as Dallas aggressively pursues veteran stars and potential trades, aiming to bolster the roster for an immediate Super Bowl run.
One thing we know based on the first couple of days of training camp is that the Dallas Cowboys are open for business.
From Jerry Jones' comments on Maxx Crosby and that the franchise didn't walk away from the deal, to not being afraid to part ways with premium draft capital to get a star player in, and to not wait a year or two to make a move, the wheels are turning for the front office.
Most think a move for Crosby is the most likely, but others like Bobby Wagner are still without a team, and then we have 105.3 The Fan's Bryan Broaddus saying that Miami is a watch with Jordyn Brooks. ... meshing with our own Mike Fisher reporting from camp that Miami prefers to keep the player.
So, it appears the Cowboys have plenty of irons in the fire as the urgency to get things rolling in a Super Bowl direction in 2026.
And according to Cowboys COO Stephen Jones, the franchise has some ideas regarding player acquisition. ... all part of our Cowboys Weekend Training Camp Notebook ...
IRONS IN THE FIRE: "We've got several things that we're considering right now, some of it trades, some of it signing guys," Jones said. "A lot of these older players who have still got some tread on the tires can come in here and help you. It may come in the form of a trade, it may come in the form of a veteran signing as you move into camp."
Stephen hinted that some veteran players don't like the early stages of camp, so a move could be coming in the next week or two, or maybe not at all.
But it is clear that the Cowboys are moving differently than in years prior. There seems to be a desire to improve this team, and to do it now.
THE RED ZONE: Last year's Cowboys offense had one flaw, really, especially in the late going: Red-zone TD scoring. Saturday featured a lot of work in that area.
What are the goals here?
"Finishing in the end zone, executing when you need to, third downs, sometimes on first (down)," CeeDee Lamb said. "Just being able to not really (shoot) ourselves in the foot, those self-inflicted wounds or penalties that'll really bring us back or kill our momentum. And again, finishing in the end zone."
NO TRADE NEEDED?: Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham is off to such a good start - even getting some work with the first-team defense - that some might start wondering if Dallas needs to trade for linebacker help at all.
Against the run and against the pass, he's been a factor every day in workouts.
INJURY UPDATE: Safties Jalen Thompson (hip flexor) and P.J. Locke (knee) did not practice - nothing serious - so Alijah Clark and Markquese Bell got their chances with the first-team defense on Saturday.
FISHELLANEOUS: Jake Ferguson was absent with a personal day. ... Trench-warfare key to watch when the pads go on Monday? Tyler Smith vs. Quinnen Williams, both dominant forces. ... Can third receiver Ryan Flournoy be the guy to help Dallas employ three 1,000-yard receivers? "He is that guy,'' exclaimed Lamb. ... Dallas cut pass-rusher Charles Snowden and signed O-lineman Sebastian Gutierrez ... Jadeveon Clowney on Sunday signed with the Texans, his first NFL team.
NEW NAMES LEAD: Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant are just some names that have come to the Cowboys over the past few months, which is a big change from the sort of moves the franchise usually executes.
Happily, all four of those guys are making early positive impressions in this camp.
Now, with Stephen saying they are considering several things mean a deal is imminent?
Of course not.
But what it does mean is the Cowboys are looking. They're doing the groundwork for a possible deal. They aren't sitting on their hands with the "we like our guys" line being trotted out.
And that is a big deal. ... on the way to ... well, maybe a big deal.
THE FINAL WORD: "I hope the Giants are ready when (Caleb Downs) is knocking their balls off.'' - Jerry Jones to CowboysRoundtable.com.
