Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones spoke to the media on Tuesday during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and the revaluing door was said once again.
He talked about nearly everything, from who they might use the franchise tag on to the coaching staff. At times he gave us some decent updates on certain things, while other times, I wished I was there to ask him some follow-up questions he wouldn't like.
As a 26-year-old, I have witnessed four playoff victories, two from Tony Romo and two from Dak Prescott. Yet, an answer was given that we hear every single year. “We're not satisfied,” Jones said about how the 2022 season ended.
“We've got to take the next step. Since '95 we haven't been to a championship. We weren't good enough this year and we have to accept that,” Jones added.
How often do we have to hear this until he and his dad do something to at least try and give them a shot at winning a title? Even his star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb made it clear that if this team wants to win, they need to load up. The window is closing!
During an interview back in February on The Jim Rome Show, Lamb made that crystal clear.
“Add more weapons,” Lamb said. “I feel like in that situation you can always be better, you know, it's never enough, you can never run out of ammo. And we just got to finish.”
Stephen Jones said he thinks the Cowboys have a “solid group” at wide receiver.
“Can we look at maybe improving it? Absolutely. … I think it's fair to say we're looking hard at it in terms of what we ultimately want the room to look like.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 28, 2023
The Cowboys had back-to-back 12-win seasons, but both ended at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, they won their first road playoff game in 30 years, but it is not enough!
Before blaming everyone under the sun, this team hasn't won anything in 25 years. I felt the last two seasons did indeed feel different, and I thought the Cowboys would at least make the NFC title game, but they didn't!
The Eagles made a splash on draft night last year by getting A.J. Brown, and the following season they were in the Super Bowl. The Cowboys needed a true No. 2 guy this year behind Lamb all season, and yes, they signed T.Y Hilton, but did anyone think that would be enough?
Kellen Moore did many good things but put this team in awful spots time and time again. He is gone, and Mike McCarthy has complete control over this team. Jones said McCarthy initiated the conversation. “In his mind, we can be better. Not that Kellen didn't (get the job done). But we have to take the next step.”
This might be the final chance this roster has to get it done. Bring Tony Pollard back and let him play on the tag. Make Ezekiel Elliott take a pay cut, extend Dak Prescott to lower the cap hit, and sign or trade for someone to help this team win the big one.
Stephen Jones on the franchise tag/Tony Pollard: “More than likely we'll use our tag,” he said. “Not necessarily on Tony but we'll use our tag.” If they tag Dalton Schultz again, it's $13 million. If they tag Donovan Wilson that is $14.5 million. Tagging Pollard is $10.1 million.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 28, 2023
So here we are again, an off-season wondering what the Cowboys are going to do to try and get better. Jerry has already said he likes to think long-term via the draft. Well, though they have had great players, they haven't won anything relying on it.
All I ask for once, is make an effort. You both are successful business men. If you want to clear the space to trade for someone like Jaylen Ramsey, you could. If you wanted to make the space to sign a guy like OBJ or Jessie Bates, you could.
I am so tired of the talk, year after year. Just give me a reason to think you all are trying to win a title, this team has the right pieces, they are just one player away.
