Cowboys: Jerry Jones Admits No Urgency to Keep Up in NFC Arms Race Before Trade Deadline

NFC rivals make major deals

Seattle acquired guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis, San Francisco traded for DeForest Buckner from the Colts, and Chicago landed Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee. The moves could strengthen all three NFC teams.

The deals have raised questions about whether Dallas should seek comparable help, particularly for its struggling defense. The trade deadline is Nov. 10, about a week and a half away at the time described.

Jones sets a high bar

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he does not feel compelled to make a trade just to keep pace with other teams. The Athletic’s Jon Machota relayed Jones’s remarks on 105.3 The Fan.

Jones said a “dynamic situation” would be needed for Dallas to give up draft picks. The team has an already depleted group of picks, so any move would require weighing the potential benefit against that cost.

Dallas faces several concerns

It also raises concerns about defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s play-calling and head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s work on offense. The article’s writer says a trade might not be enough to address the team’s problems.

Deadline decision remains open

Jones has the next week-plus to decide whether adding a player is worth spending more draft capital in an effort to rescue the season. The writer says they would not make that investment, while acknowledging Jones may be more optimistic about the team.

The story gives no indication that Dallas has decided to pursue a trade. Jones’s comments instead set a high threshold for giving up picks before the deadline.