Dallas Cowboys fans have heard it all before from Jerry Jones. The longtime owner’s never been short on words – but following through? That’s been another story.
Jones has made plenty of promises over the years that didn’t quite match reality. So when he starts talking about a big offseason, there’s good reason to be skeptical.
This time might actually be different.
Words Backed By Actions
Jones told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he’s ready to spend in free agency like he hasn’t before.
I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have. I want you to know that the only way to push forward is for me to go borrow some of my future. Expect me to go borrow some of my future, okay? …I want to do everything we possibly can to stop somebody, and to basically win some third downs more than we did last year. So I think that would be the area that you would see me bust the budget.
Sound familiar? Two years ago, Jones said the Cowboys were going “all in” – then Dallas barely made a ripple in free agency.
The difference now is that the Cowboys are actually making moves that suggest Jones means it.
Dallas hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, a move that pushed Jones outside his usual hiring comfort zone. The team’s also been restructuring contracts to free up cap space ahead of free agency; they could create even more room before the market opens.
Jones is 83 years old. His window to see another Cowboys Super Bowl is closing, and he knows it.
With Dak Prescott playing at an elite level again, the timing makes sense to actually go all in – not just say it. Whether Jones follows through remains to be seen, but the early signs look more promising than they have in years.
Could this all still be smoke and mirrors? Sure, it’s Jerry Jones. But the Cowboys are at least laying the groundwork this time around instead of just talking about it.