Jason La Canfora: Who Is Jerry Jones Hinting the Cowboys Could Trade For?

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones is one of the NFL’s greatest showmen, he is a marketer and salesman of the highest order, and one must be cognizant of that whenever he speaks.

Jerry Jones loves to make headlines and create waves when his team relocates to the outpost of Oxnard, California, every July to set up shop for training camp.

Their arrival must be proclaimed, and in years past, his bold remarks often centered around a lingering contract situation (Dak Prescott), a disgruntled superstar (Micah Parsons), or an unusual coaching hire.

This summer, Jones’s primary talking point—his big tease—focused on someone not even in his employ yet.

Jones and his son Stephen, who oversee the roster and are more hands-on than any other owners in the league, are using any and every opportunity in front of the media to signal that they want to make another splash. They are trying to pull off a significant trade they believe can help them bring home the Lombardi Trophy that has been missing in Dallas for a generation now.

To be clear, because these two select the roster, they tend to think they are far closer to championship quality every year than the rest of the league surmises, but their tone about this mystery trade is a significant departure from their usual playbook.

“We think enough of our opportunity that we would use some of the future salary cap, some of the future draft consideration, some of the future, if you will, [for a] trade asset,” Jones announced at his pre-camp press conference. “We would use some of it to add to this team right now.”

So what is he hinting at? Is it merely a marketing ruse to reel in Cowboys fans and raise expectations, or will Jones actually make a splash? There are a few options rival front offices believe he may have his sights on:

Maxx Crosby

The Raiders’ dominant edge defender (he’s more than just a pass rusher) was supposed to go to Baltimore for two first-round picks before the Ravens bailed on the trade. Crosby is returning from knee cleanup surgery, but he was cleared for football activities in camp.

While trade rumors around him have cooled, it was right around this time a year ago that Jones, controversially, flipped Parsons to Green Bay—wounding an already bad Dallas defense that he is still trying to rectify. Would the Raiders, riding high on positive vibes after a universally approved offseason, still deal Crosby—even after mending some fences with him?

“They aren’t shopping him, but that doesn’t mean they won’t trade him eventually,” one GM remarked to me this summer.

Another GM pointed out the unique dynamics between Jones and Raiders owner Mark Davis, with Jones playing a central role in the NFL’s ultimate moves to both the Los Angeles and Las Vegas markets. Jones has a habit of trying to cut out the middleman—be it an agent or, in this case, a general manager.

He tries to work his unique charms on someone he thinks he might be able to get one over on, and he has a direct channel to Davis that even minority owner Tom Brady might not be able to short-circuit.

“Mark really wants to be Jerry,” the GM said, comparing the awkward owner, who inherited his team, to the self-made billionaire who remains one of the biggest personalities in the league.

I’m not convinced Jones would pay the steep price in cash and draft picks for Crosby, but rival executives are keeping a close eye on the situation.

Josh Sweat

This might be closer to what Jones has in mind: a far lower price point across the board, significantly less risk, and a player he watched wreck games during his time with the Eagles in the NFC East. As much as Jones wants people to believe he’s a big spender, he’s been more of a penny-pincher over the last six years.

Sweat carries just a $10 million base salary this season (Arizona already paid his roster bonus) followed by $17 million in each of the next two years.

The Cardinals are rebuilding, having fired the head coach who recruited Sweat in free agency, and appear to be positioning themselves for a top pick in 2027 while giving rookie QB Carson Beck a run this season. Sweat understandably wants out, and he continues to generate elite pressure rates.

“This feels like something Jerry would do,” said one longtime NFL personnel executive who has done deals with the Cowboys in the past.

Former NFL general manager Marty Hurney told me he believes Dallas is a Super Bowl contender now, and moves like adding Sweat could put them over the top. Sweat is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a minor knee issue, but that is viewed by some around the league as a precaution to keep him healthy for a potential trade.

Kayvon Thibodeaux

The former fifth overall pick has been the subject of trade rumblings for years after failing to consistently live up to his draft billing. He makes $15 million this season before hitting free agency (though an expensive franchise tag remains an option).

The Giants already traded dominant defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and no team has made an offer on Thibodeaux that New York couldn’t refuse. Execs I spoke to believe the fact that the two teams are division rivals wouldn’t prevent a deal.

You could get the sense from the way both Joneses spoke that they were seeking a proven difference-maker for their defense, but bringing in a talent like Thibodeaux wouldn’t be out of character for them either.

What is clear is the type of player Jones has in mind. He says trade talks have already taken place, and the target is likely a defender—and almost certainly a defensive lineman or outside linebacker.

At age 83 (he turns 84 in October), Jones only has so many swings left at this, so rival front offices are taking him at his word.