OXNARD, Calif. — Jerry Jones opened training camp saying the Dallas Cowboys would consider a substantive trade if the right one came along. Three weeks and one veteran signing later, he still hasn’t moved on it.
“Yes, if we had an opportunity, I would be,” Jones said Monday when asked whether he remains interested. “It’s as much about what I think of where we are, which I’m more positive than when we started camp, seriously, about what our chances are. And so I think if we saw an opportunity to take a little of the future and put it on this team, I’d do it if it would help us.”
Dallas agreed to terms with Von Miller on Sunday night, a one-year deal worth $5.5 million that can reach $7.5 million. The Cowboys waived wide receiver Traeshon Holden on Monday to open the roster spot.
Jerry Jones Is More Positive Than He Was In July
Jones tied his answer to what he has seen in Oxnard and to a date in February.
“I’m even more excited today than I was when we started camp that our team is going to be one that if we can have some things go right for us, avoid some injury, we could really be something that we all want to be, and that’s a team that’s competing for the big game,” Jones said. “Bottom line is, the answer is yes. If we saw something that would help us anyplace, we’d do it.”
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer named the same target Monday when asked what Miller brings as a two-time champion.
“That’s important when you’re a champion,” Schottenheimer said. “You can speak to that as we climb this ladder and we get closer to our main objective, which is SoFi 2027, Valentine’s Day.”
Dallas had $18.5 million in cap space before the Miller agreement.
What Dallas Already Spent
The Cowboys rebuilt the defense this offseason after allowing 511 points, the most in the NFL, and finishing 30th in yards allowed.
Dallas traded for Rashan Gary, Dee Winters, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant, drafted Caleb Downs 11th overall and Malachi Lawrence 23rd, and added Jaishawn Barham in the third round.
Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark anchor the interior. Donovan Ezeiruaku is in his second season on the edge, with DeMarvion Overshown at linebacker and DaRon Bland at corner.
The Defense That Made Him Bullish
Saturday was Christian Parker‘s first game calling plays as defensive coordinator. Seattle scored on its opening drive and never again, gaining 76 yards over its final seven possessions and coming away with 7 points on four red-zone trips in a 17-7 Dallas win.
Jones said the defense holding in those situations was the best thing to come out of the game.
“I liked the way the defense held when they had to, had their back against the wall,” Jones said. “We gave them some pretty tough situations, and they held up. That sticks with you, and will stick with us. That’s the best thing that came out of it, and there were some great individual plays out there by some guys. Overall, it was a real plus and I was impressed with our defense.”
The offense returns Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, who is playing 2026 on the franchise tag. Javonte Williams came back in February on a three-year deal worth $24 million.
Most of that group did not dress at Seattle. Undrafted rookie Camden Brown caught both Dallas touchdowns, one from Sam Howell and one from Joe Milton III.
What Is Left In Camp
Miller was expected in Oxnard on Monday night and is not expected to practice against New Orleans. He has 138.5 career sacks in 203 games, the most among active players, and had 9 sacks for the Washington Commanders last season.
Dallas hosts the New Orleans Saints for a joint practice Tuesday in Oxnard, the last open practice in California. The Cowboys return to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco for two more on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT on NFL Network, then closes the preseason against New Orleans on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium. The regular season begins Sept. 13 at the New York Giants.
