Jerry Jones is ditching his conservative reputation, signaling an aggressive push for elite defensive reinforcements to maximize the team's championship window before the trade deadline slams shut.
FRISCO - How about Von Miller ... and Maxx Crosby?
Miller, who officially signed his one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, is no longer the every-down terror who once dominated the NFL.
The list of names on that "terror'' list does, however, include the Raiders' Crosby.
And that is one of the more intriguing part of acquisition of hometown legend Von: Dallas apparently doesn’t view Miller as "the final piece'' ... because Dallas isn't done trying to add pieces.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer added fuel to this fire Monday when he said, “We’re not done,” while discussing the Cowboys’ ongoing roster construction.
That opens the door to continued speculation around potential trade targets, including names such as free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner, Arizona EDGE Josh Sweat, Miami linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Crosby.
There’s no guarantee Dallas ultimately makes another blockbuster deal.
Still, the Cowboys’ approach feels different this summer ... because it does feel like there's a guarantee that they will try.
Right, Jerry?
“Yes, if we had an opportunity, I would be,'' Jones said about his willingness to pull off another "substantive trade.'' "... I’m more positive than when we started camp, seriously, about what our chances are. And so I think if we saw an opportunity to take a little of the future and put it on this team, I’d do it if it would help us.”
For years, fans and media have criticized the front office for being too conservative, too attached to draft capital and too willing to wait for internal development.
This offseason? Urgency.
And again, Jones is publicly saying once again that future picks could be part of the equation.
Said Jones: "Our team is going to be one that if we can have some things go right for us, avoid some injury, we could really be something that we all want to be, and that’s a team that’s competing for the Big Game.
“Bottom line is, the answer is yes. If we saw something that would help us anyplace, we’d do it.”
If the Cowboys truly believe they’re within shouting distance of raising their ceiling to the point of true contention?
This is exactly when smartly aggressive teams strike.
Offer a first-rounder and change for Crosby. Offer a third-rounder for Brooks. (Yes, both. Let's get greedy!)
Draft picks are valuable, but championship windows - this one keyed by 33-year-old QB Dak Prescott - don’t stay open forever.
The Miller signing gives Parker another weapon who can win in certain situations. One more defensive difference-maker who can win in most any situation could change everything about Dallas' chances.
Jones’ old “all-in” promise never landed the way Cowboys fans hoped; it was a crafty fib.
But “we’re not done” has a different feel to it. It's urgent. It's real. And when it comes to notable moves, the word "and'' seems appropriate.
