Jerry Jones Says Dallas Cowboys ‘A Lot More Likely’ To Add Than Sell Before NFL Trade Deadline
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are “a lot more likely” to add to their roster than subtract from it before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday, with a game at the Indianapolis Colts still to play before then.
Jones made the comments on 105.3 The Fan’s K&C Masterpiece when the hosts raised the possibility of a loss Sunday leading Dallas to trade away assets. The Cowboys are 3-5 after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The deadline is 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday.
Jones pointed to how much Dallas has changed over the last year and a half.
“I really believe that we have a team that the work we’ve done over certainly the last 18 months or the last year in this year has real potential to play better than it’s playing now,” Jones said. “And so my situation, I’m not talking about Indianapolis. I’m not talking about any other team. I’m talking about our situation.”
“Our situation, because of the amount and the commitment and the changes that we have made, it’s not, in my mind, the smart thing to do to make big adjustments,” Jones continued. “So I’d a lot more likely be adding to this direction than taking away from it.”
Jerry Jones Points To 18 Months Of Roster Changes
Dallas traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August 2025 for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. At the 2025 deadline, the Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The Cowboys used two first-round picks in April on defensive back Caleb Downs and outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence is out Sunday with an ankle injury that Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said could keep him out a few weeks. Downs practiced fully Friday after entering the concussion protocol following the Arizona loss and carries no game designation.
Schottenheimer is in his second season after Dallas promoted him from offensive coordinator in January 2025.
Jones Expects No Broken Spirits From Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is on the other side of the market. Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard in October. On Oct. 27, the Colts traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Hours later, they sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The Colts are 2-6 and have lost four straight, including a 42-7 loss at Jacksonville last Sunday.
Jones said he expects whoever takes the field for Indianapolis to compete Sunday.
“I don’t expect any broken spirits out there Sunday in any way,” Jones said. “I don’t want to relate, because I’ve got enough explaining to do about running the Dallas Cowboys. So I don’t want to talk about any other thing, much less the one we’re playing Sunday. But I will assure you that who walks out on that football field, that’s another point.”
Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is set for noon CT on FOX.
