Cowboys’ press conference does little to appease the fanbase

The Dallas Cowboys held their first press conference in weeks today at The Star in preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.

Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, and HC Mike McCarthy fielded questions from the media and their answers failed to bring peace to a disgruntled fanbase.

This article will run through three of the most important questions and answers from today, but prepare yourself for the same tired answers we are used to hearing.

We Are All In

Yes, Jerry Jones dared to continue to use the phrase “all-in” despite the Cowboys only signing two outside free agents to one-year contracts.

Before you get angry all over again, just remember that Jones’ version of all-in is way off base from the way the rest of the population views that phrase.

In his own words, “We are all in with these young guys coming in. We are all in with this draft.”

Read between the lines and you’ll realize that they are telling us right to our faces that no outside reinforcements will be acquired.

The 2024 season will rely heavily on players from the 2023 and 2024 drafts.

We Like Our Guys

Stephen Jones was asked about the Cowboys’ penchant for relying on a draft and development strategy as opposed to spending on outside free agents.

“You embrace draft and develop when you draft well. That’s when you embrace it.”

It’s no secret that the Cowboys draft well unless you count last year’s draft, although injuries spoiled any potential success before it could even get off of the ground.

But how is that any type of coherent response? You embrace draft and develop when you draft well. Here’s another one for you: water is wet.

Sure, Stephen, it’s easy to pound the table for draft and develop when drafts are good, but where is the adjustment when it doesn’t?

Instead of doubling down on the 2024 draft because the 2023 draft wasn’t what you expected it to be, how about using the other half of the strategy for roster construction?

When a team doesn’t draft well, that’s even more reason to use free agency to try and cover up the blemishes.

Instead, the Cowboys treat free agency like some sort of disease that they are too far above to even contract.

Contracts Will Come In Due Time

Jerry Jones was asked about the looming contract extensions for QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb, as well as Micah Parsons being eligible.

“We’d like to see more leaves fall. Sometimes timing keeps you from making a mistake.”

I’m not sure Jones has a foot to stand on when it comes to the timing of contract extensions.

There aren’t any other quarterbacks on Dak’s level waiting for a contract so who exactly are they waiting for?

At least with CeeDee, there are also looming contracts for Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson but I still feel the Cowboys should strike early.

They seem terrified to set the market at any position, but when has it worked in their favor to wait an entire season in contract negotiations?

This feels like the same story we just read four years ago when Prescott was negotiating his previous contract.

Yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price, and the players get more expensive with each season that passes.

Just sign Dak and CeeDee already. They are both arguably in the top three at their respective positions.

Another team will overpay someone to reset the market shortly thereafter and the Jones can go back to feeling in control of the situation.

This press conference did nothing to quell the concerns of the fanbase. If anything, it cemented the thought that the Cowboys’ best efforts are geared more toward 2025 than this season.