Jerry Jones is not waiting around. The Cowboys owner just told reporters he is ready to trade away future picks to get immediate help. This is not a vague promise. It is a clear signal that the front office wants to win right now. The team starts camp in Oxnard with zero players on the injured list. That is a rare and good start. But the roster still needs more stars to compete for the big prize.
Jones made his stance known during the opening press conference. He said he feels great about the 2026 squad and is willing to make a move. “Candidly, I’d be very interested to give up future to add substantive to where we are today,” Jones said. He even confirmed he spoke with another owner just yesterday about a potential deal. “Yesterday, I talked about a situation with another team, another owner,” he added. The clock is ticking, and the Cowboys are looking to clear the deck for a run.
The Health Boost Is Real
The first thing fans should notice is the clean bill of health. Every single player on the roster is expected to practice when camp kicks off. This is a massive change from years past where teams often start with players on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Joseph Hoyt reported that a team source confirmed everyone is a go for practice after physicals. No one is sitting out. No one is on the PUP list.
This health surge changes the entire dynamic of camp. DeMarvion Overshown is the most critical player to watch. He is the projected starter at the MIKE linebacker spot. He has shown he can be a game-changer, but he has struggled to stay on the field. He has missed time with two separate knee injuries. Now that he is healthy, the team must be careful not to overload him. Brian Schottenheimer noted they are watching his workload closely. “we’re not going to overload Caleb Downs (but) we have instincts that he can handle a lot of this stuff,” Schottenheimer said. If the defense stays healthy, the ceiling for this unit is much higher.
Big Names on the Block
The pressure is also on the offensive line. Tyler Guyton is the former first-round pick who must prove he can hold down the left tackle spot. If he fails, the team might have to move Tyler Smith outside. That would be a huge shift. The Cowboys have also been active in the trade market recently. They added George Pickens, Quinnen Williams, and Kenny Clark in big deals over the last 18 months. Jones wants to keep that momentum going.
The coaching staff is also looking at the future. Will Grier, a former quarterback, is now an offensive assistant. Schottenheimer believes Grier has a bright future ahead. “he’ll probably be calling plays in this league in the next six to eight years,” the coach said. But the focus right now is on the roster. The outside corner battle is wide open with Daron Bland, Shavon Revel, and Cobie Durant fighting for spots. The team needs to get the right mix of talent.
The Trade Deadline Is Here
Jerry Jones has made it clear. He wants to improve the team before the season starts. “Would I invest something substantive to get the right kind of deal to improve us opening day? I would. I feel that good about this team this year,” he said. The phone lines are hot. He even had a legitimate discussion with another owner. “No, I wouldn’t classify it like that,” Jones said when asked if a deal was imminent, but he admitted the talks were real.
The Cowboys are healthy, the coaching staff is optimistic, and the owner is ready to spend. The only thing left to do is pull the trigger. Fans should expect to hear news about a big name before the preseason ends. The window is open, and the owner is not going to let it close. What player do you think the Cowboys should target to seal the deal? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
