Jerry Jones reveals his stance as NFL trade deadline nears

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told reporters on Thursday ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline not to expect any fireworks – but that doesn’t mean something couldn’t materialize between Thursday and next Tuesday.

“I don’t think there’s anything at a level that would, that I would expect to do anything,” Jones said. “I don’t see anything heated up to a level that would cause something to happen.”

Although Dallas has lost playmakers at several positions due to injuries through seven weeks, Jones reiterated on Thursday that he likes the roster as is. The Cowboys are 4-2 as they exit the bye week for a home game against the L.A. Rams.

“I do like this roster,” Jones said. “Would I improve it if given an opportunity that makes a lot of sense? Of course we would. That’s expected but if we don’t do anything at this trade deadline, we’ve got a team that in my mind can get us where we want to go.”

Jones, a businessman through and through at the age of 80, told reporters he’ll still negotiate – if he can get a good deal.

“I’m, by nature, active. I’m, by nature, a risk taker,” Jones said. “Don’t come by unless you want to be struck at,” Jones said. “We will trade. Make no mistake about it. We will make a deal, but it’s certainly got a high bar because I like our team.”

Even though there are games he would have liked to play better in, against Arizona and San Francisco specifically, Jones is still happy with where the Cowboys are overall at this point in the season.

Cowboys made two key offseason trades

Although the Cowboys were more aggressive going after their own players in the 2023 offseason than in trades, they still made two very important deals with Houston and with Indianapolis before training camp.

Jerry Jones and his front office executed trades that sent two 2023 fifth-round picks out of Dallas in exchange for former Texans wideout Brandin Cooks and former Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Gilmore addition proved that much more valuable once star cornerback Trevon Diggs went down for the season with a torn ACL in Week 2.

Dallas also signed outside free agents this offseason, picking up running back Ronald Jones, offensive lineman Chuma Edoga and long snapper Trent Sieg. Edoga has played significant snaps for the Cowboys so far this season as the offensive line battled injuries to Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz.