Jones made headlines a month ago at the Senior Bowl when he said the Cowboys were going to be “fully committed” to next season and would not make plans for the future as they have in the past. When asked to further explain what that approach looks like this offseason, Jones said it will make the team look a little different than in years past.
“We're going to work on different players and draft different guys,” Jones said. “It's just a different nature. Different people, different coaches. I think they're looking at the nuances of our position in the cap, the nuances of our position in the draft, and the nuances of our position.” is with free agency – we involve it in the definition of “all in.” Considering those aspects, we will consider all solutions to win this year. ”
Dak extension negotiations ongoing
Stephen Jones didn't say earlier this week whether the Cowboys and Dak Prescott's agent were working on a contract extension, but Jerry Jones confirmed it on Friday.
“We'll be working towards his contract for the future next year. I can't say at the moment what we'll or won't do there. The important thing is that he's our “At quarterback…I'm focused on what I can do to be as successful as possible this year. One of the reasons I'm happy about it is that Dak Because he’s definitely our quarterback.”
Mike Zimmer brings 'No BS'
One of the traits that has really influenced Mike Zimmer since he was hired is his rigor and sense of responsibility, which means he expects his defense to do its best at all times. Jones expressed similar sentiments when asked about Zimmer.
“His life is all about football,” Jones said. “The people who know Mike Zimmer, the players who know him — Dion, players like that, Pacman Jones, you name it. Guys, they're our I left and went to Cincinnati with him. That's enough. He's there, but he's not a bull.*. Boy, is he speaking up. He's not with anyone. There's nothing unusual about doing something like that. ”
Is Gallup included in your future plans?
Wide receiver prospect Michael Gallup's contract is on the verge of being cut by the team after June 1st, and is his reduced production worth keeping at his current contract price? Please, we have to make a decision this offseason. Here's what Jones had to say about his 2018 third-round pick.
“I don't have any decisions to talk about right now. It's something to consider with him, but there's nothing we can say on our own without his involvement. We need to sit down and consider him.” Talk to him before we talk about what we're going to do. ”
LVE's future is still in doubt
Jones said he met with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch's agent today as he faces a decision on the 2018 first-round pick after suffering a severe neck injury last October against the San Francisco 49ers.
“I met with [his agent] I met him today,” Jones said. “As far as his career goes, it's far from my mind. It has to do with his long-term well-being and his long-term life. We not only support him in whatever he comes up with, but when we visit and talk to him, we make sure you think carefully. I intend to respect and support the sensibilities of people who are
Camp Battle Brewing at QB2
Coach Jones acknowledged Friday that the team received quarterback Trey Lance's fourth-year roster bonus and spoke about the significant improvements Lance has made since arriving in Dallas last August. In his evaluation of Lance, he said there will be competition between Lance and Cooper Rush for the backup quarterback spot in training camp next season.
“Arrow is really on the upswing,” Jones said of Lance. “He has exceeded expectations as a person, as a worker, as a character. He has unique skills. He is exactly what we planned and expected. [fourth-round] Choose, we knew we were going to pay [fourth-year] Bonus now. That was part of the same decision. That's reinforced by what he's done for the team and who he is as a person and potentially as a player. ”
The possibility of a Smith return cannot be ruled out.
Future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith is set to become a free agent this month, and Jones met with his agent in Indianapolis to potentially return in 2024 and become a 2011 first-round pick. The door is open.
“We're going to go in the right way and talk about his business and come up with something that's good for both of us,” Jones said. “He's had a great career. He's a Hall of Fame player…I can't express how good we thought we were with him heading into the playoffs, his health, his situation. We… I thought he was just a player.''I give coach Mike McCarthy a lot of credit for putting him in just the right spot for us going into the playoffs. ”
Does the RB picture include Pollard?
Tony Pollard is another big name scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, with Jerry Jones and multiple front office officials emphasizing the need to run the football better in 2024. Part of that need includes Pollard's development, but Jones also noted: You can make changes in advance. He mentioned how he felt Pollard played well late in the 2023 season.
“I thought Pollard played well,” Jones said. “He's a player that I thought would have had more of an impact in games where we didn't play well. But that running game, of course, is a product of not just the Bucs, but the blocking and the complete offense. I watched him, I've told the coaches that, I've told the scouts, and he played well.”
When speaking with Vice President of Player Personnel Will McCray on Thursday, he emphasized the need for bigger bodies on defense this offseason, and Jones also talked about what Mike Zimmer will bring to Dallas' defense. He expressed a similar opinion.
“We came up short at linebacker, which we probably tried to do. Because we had the substitutes, they got us pretty read and did a good job in the run game,” Jones said. “If you look at what happened to us, you know the answer. We shouldn't be so thin against our linebackers, and the emphasis we have on our linebackers is to stop giving up runs.”
