Mike McCarthy weighs in on Dallas Cowboys' trades for Stephon Gilmore, Brandin Cooks

The Dallas Cowboys surprised many in the first days of the free agency window when they went through with trades for two veteran players that will be starters on day one of the 2023 season.

Adding cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks took care of two of Mike McCarthy’s biggest needs on both sides of the ball. According to McCarthy, it also sends a message to the players in the locker room about the goals for the team this year.

“I think the message it sends to the locker room is how much we believe in the locker room,” McCarthy said on Tuesday. “Obviously they are two high quality, veteran players. I think their play really speaks for themselves.

“I think anybody that’s followed Brandin and Stephon, just from pure football ability and production, you’re definitely excited about it. But the type of people they are, you can see it immediately just when they came in to sign their contracts. The impact that they’ll make, particularly with our young players, really excited with the way they fit into our locker room.”

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones also commented on the Gilmore trade at the NFL owners meetings. He pointed to the former Super Bowl champ’s instincts as his biggest assets.

“His instincts, his instincts and of course he’s got great athletic ability,” Jones said. “But his instincts and in this particular case, his experience and the fact that he’s got a lot of gas left in his tank.”

Gilmore, Cooks get new numbers

The Cowboys assigned jersey numbers for their 2023 newcomers on Monday. Taking up the No. 21 mantle from running back Ezekiel Elliott is Gilmore.

Gilmore has previously worn No. 5 with the Colts, No. 9 with the Panthers, and No. 24 with the Patriots and Bills. At South Carolina, he wore No. 5 as well.

Former Houston Texans wideout Brandin Cooks will wear No. 3 on the offense. He was No. 13 at his previous stop, however, Dallas’ Michael Gallup already has that jersey.

Running back Ronald Jones, who most recently wore No. 2 for the Saints and No. 27 for the Buccaneers, will wear No. 32 for Dallas.

Jones spent one season in Kansas City in 2022, appearing in just six games and logging only 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.

He had been far more productive in his four seasons with Tampa Bay, with a high-water mark of a 978-yard rushing campaign during the 2020 season. Jones also ran for 724 yards in 2019, as well as 428 yards in 2021. Despite playing for just five seasons so far in the NFL, Jones already has two Super Bowl rings.

Offensive line newcomer Chuma Edoga will wear No. 71 this season for the Cowboys. Edoga is fresh off of one season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he also wore 71. He’s capable of playing tackle and guard for the Cowboys, opening up options for the oft-injured position group.