Jerry Jones says Cowboys are Super Bowl contenders, open to ‘substantive’ roster move

OXNARD, Calif. — Super Bowl talk isn’t uncommon this time of year for the Dallas Cowboys. It’s the start of training camp, and hope springs eternal. But it’s been 30 years since they’ve been to the NFL’s championship game, so this type of talk often comes with eye rolls.

Jerry Jones, however, sounds like someone who truly believes this season could be different. And so much so that it doesn’t seem like the Cowboys are done potentially improving their roster, saying he’s open to making a “substantive” move.

“If we get an opportunity to add to this thing, we’re very capable of doing that,” Jones said Tuesday following the team’s annual news conference to open training camp. “The mood is here to do it. … If any place it would be to improve our play-making ability on defense and pressure that quarterback or have an opportunity to do something special at linebacker. A top pick is expendable this year to add somebody meaningful that would help us now. I’m not just looking for a player; we’re looking for somebody that can add to the mix.”

Jones said he had a notable conversation with another team owner Monday about a potential move.

“It was a very legitimate discussion,” Jones said. “But I wouldn’t give it a direction. … My message is simply that I feel good enough about this thing to give up some future if the opportunity came up for now.”

How close does he think the Cowboys are to being a Super Bowl contender?

“As close as Seattle was this time last year,” he said, referring to the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Cowboys attempted to trade for five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby in March. The Las Vegas Raiders sent Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. Less than a week later, the Ravens backed out of the deal because of a failed physical.

Since then, the Cowboys traded for veteran edge rusher Rashan Gary and used a first-round pick on edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.

While Crosby remains with the Raiders, Jones clarified that Dallas never walked away from the trade talks regarding Crosby.

“We didn’t,” he said. “We did not walk away. That’s about all there is to say. We understood his injury well. We thought he could help us then. We were surprised by the way that was resolved. To interject anything about what we’re thinking or doing, because he went back to the Raiders, would be a mistake. He’s a Raider.

“If the team is coming along well, then those things stay alive. If all of a sudden you don’t think it’s coming along, then those things don’t stay alive. It’s a good indicator of how good we feel about this team. … He’s such a Raider. He’s completely a Raider. He’s happy to be a Raider. Everything in the book. We shouldn’t even be having this kind of discussion.”

Edge rusher, inside linebacker and cornerback are the areas where an upgrade could be made if the right deal presents itself.

“I like the idea that we’ve had a quiet offseason,” Jones said. “That hasn’t been the case. We’ve had a lot going on. … I like the fact that the perception is that it’s been a quiet offseason. That’s good. I like the mood. I like what we’re coming to camp with.”