'Defense would be the spot': Jerry Jones hints at an imminent Cowboys trade before the clash against the Giants
Cowboys could turn their attention to defense after trading for Broderick Jones
Jerry Jones has once again opened the door to a potential Dallas Cowboys trade, and his latest comments suggest the defense would be the primary target. With the Cowboys preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, speculation surrounding the front office's plans has intensified.
The Cowboys have been connected to trade possibilities throughout the latter stages of the offseason, although no additional deal had materialized at the time of Jones ' comments.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, the Dallas owner and general manager explained that recent moves to create salary-cap flexibility have left the organization with enough financial room to pursue a deal if the right opportunity becomes available.
“That does show that we have really viable serious room financially to make trade if we wanted to right now,” said Jones .
Dallas created more than $19 million in additional cap space by restructuring the contracts of defensive tackle Kenny Clark , cornerback DaRon Bland and tight end Jake Ferguson . NFLPA figures have the Cowboys with approximately $33.6 million in available cap space, giving the franchise considerable flexibility as it begins the season.
Jones stressed that the additional room doesn't necessarily mean a trade is imminent. However, his comments confirmed that Dallas has the financial ability to make a move now rather than waiting until later in the campaign.
The most revealing part of his remarks concerned which side of the ball could receive another addition.
Why defense remains the Cowboys' biggest trade target
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Jones indicated that the Cowboys would be more likely to pursue defensive help after addressing their offensive needs with the acquisition of Broderick Jones.
Dallas recently traded for the offensive tackle from the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending a third- and sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jones and a fourth-round selection.
That move strengthens an offensive line that needed additional depth, while the Cowboys already appear comfortable with their skill-position groups. Jones has expressed confidence in the team's running backs, quarterback depth and tight ends, while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens give Dallas a formidable receiving duo.
Defense, therefore, stands out as the most obvious area for improvement. The Cowboys struggled defensively last season, making reinforcements on that side of the ball a priority throughout the offseason.
Another addition could provide valuable depth while also giving the coaching staff greater flexibility as the season develops.
Dallas doesn't have to make a decision immediately. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET, meaning the Cowboys have several weeks to assess their roster, injuries and performance before committing more draft capital.
The franchise currently owns first-, second-, fourth- and sixth-round selections in the 2027 draft. Jones has previously indicated that he'd be willing to use future draft capital if it meant substantially improving the team in 2026.
