Practically the entirety of the NFL media corps assembles in Indianapolis each year for the annual scouting combine. An army of reporters outfitted with cameras and microphones, just hanging around looking for things to broadcast/write/tweet about? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is simply incapable of helping himself.
His lengthy huddle with the Dallas press aboard his parked bus has become a yearly tradition. And the outspoken owner always manages to deliver at least a few buzzworthy soundbites, even if he rarely makes any genuine take-it-to-the-bank revelations about the inner workings of the front office.
On a Dez Bryant return…
Over the course of eighty minutes on Thursday, Jones touched on a wide-ranging list of topics. But the quote that everyone will be talking about on Friday may be his weirdest since 2012’s “glory hole” line.
Jerry Jones has not talked to Dez Bryant directly, but “I have been thinking about it a lot in the shower.”
“It should not be dismissed. I’m thinking about it.”
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) February 27, 2020
What Jones thinks about in the shower is a revelation, to be sure, but probably falls under the category of TMI for even the most hardcore Cowboys fan. Still, the Dez-comeback scenario appears to have gained real traction with the man who signs the paychecks.
On the franchise and transition tags…
Jones admitted that he voted for the collective bargaining agreement that’s up for approval from the players union, even though its ratification would cost the front office a bit of leveraging strategy when it comes to one of their superstar free agents.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on CBA, if approved: “It removes a very strategic thing for us. That is, we lose the transition (tag). Strategically, that was really thought of a lot” for Amari Cooper. Cowboys plan to franchise QB Dak Prescott if no long-term deal reached by March 12.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 27, 2020
The team could employ both the franchise and transition tags on Prescott and Cooper, respectively, under the terms of the current CBA. But if a new deal is made official, the league would expect Dallas to rescind one of the tags in accordance with the new CBA’s terms.
“It’s what it is. We’ll just have to figure out a way to (get it done),” Jones told Gehlken. “There’s no question it’s going to put on a bigger angst.”
On Dak Prescott’s importance…
The lack of a new contract for quarterback Dak Prescott looks more baffling by the day and has led some to question the team’s very belief in the signal-caller, who’s coming off his best season as a pro.
But when asked about Prescott’s importance to the organization, Jones struggled initially to find the words. When he did, though, he put the former fourth-round draft pick on par with his own son.
Jerry Jones on why Dak Prescott’s Cowboys deal will get worked out: pic.twitter.com/yUlyB8fb5a
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 27, 2020
On Robert Quinn returning for a second season in Dallas…
Edge rusher Robert Quinn was one of the few standouts on a defense that mostly underachieved in 2019. His 11.5 sacks made the sixth-round draft pick that the Cowboys gave to Miami in exchange for his services perhaps Jones’s best deal of 2019 in terms of bang-for-buck.
Some have assumed that those numbers would make Quinn too hot a commodity for Dallas to keep beyond the one-year rental deal they made to get him. But Jones holds out hope.
Jerry Jones called Cowboys DE Robert Quinn “one of the top people — people, players and people — that I’ve ever been associated with. He’s the real deal. … He really helped us last year. So I’m hopeful that we can do something to keep him.” Contract set to expire on March 18.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 27, 2020
On Jason Witten’s future as a Cowboy…
Jerry’s affection and loyalty for certain players has always been obvious throughout his regime. It’s not every owner who would greenlight giving a starting spot on the roster to a 36-year-old retiree who had spent the previous season watching games from a broadcast booth.
The 2019 Jason Witten Experiment netted results that were lukewarm, at best. While many in Cowboys Nation have already moved on from the eleven-time Pro Bowler and started to prepare for life with him in a different uniform, Jones says he isn’t ready to cut ties just yet.
Jerry Jones said the hold up on Jason Witten is Witten deciding he handle the role given to him in Dallas. Jones wants him back and thinks he can contribute. Jones doesn't want Witten to be anything but a Cowboy
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 27, 2020
On the chances of retaining Byron Jones…
With Prescott and Cooper comprising the two biggest priorities for the team this offseason, it’s been Byron Jones who’s typically being left out in the cold as visions of the 2020 roster materialize. Despite his obvious athleticism and shutdown play at the cornerback position, a lack of interceptions has been frustrating, to say the least.
Stephen Jones actually spoke about Byron in past tense recently, saying, “He’s had a great run” as a Cowboy. Jerry isn’t packing Byron’s bags just yet, but sure makes it sound like the writing’s on the wall.
Jerry Jones said “it’s not a given” team can’t afford to retain CB Byron Jones. “But it’s certainly pretty plain to see when you have the players we have right now under contract, plus we have arguably three of the top free agents …out there. …It’s a real challenge.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 27, 2020
On Jimmy Johnson’s place at the table…
Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. But the Cowboys coach who commandeered the turnaround of the franchise and masterminded the creation of the ’90s dynasty still isn’t in the team’s Ring of Honor.
Some have speculated that Johnson’s invitation to Canton would spur Jones to bury the hatchet once and for all, and in the most meaningful way possible, by hanging his first hire’s name permanently in his own house. But when asked about it, Jones sidestepped the issue.
Jerry Jones said putting Jimmy Johnson in the Ring of Honor is not on his mind right now. Jones adds that Johnson has a big year ahead with his HOF induction and wants the focus to be on that. He then mentioned Tom Landry was in the Hall of Fame before the Ring of Honor
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 27, 2020
On Leighton Vander Esch’s recovery…
The 2018 season saw the dawning of what Cowboys fans hoped would be a golden age of Dallas linebacker play. Jaylon Smith blossomed before our eyes, and rookie Leighton Vander Esch proved his worth as a first-round selection. But in 2019, Smith’s play seemed to regress, and Vander Esch missed the back half of the season with a mysterious neck issue that dates back years.
Jones expressed optimism, though, that the Wolf Hunter would be back on the prowl in 2020.
Jerry Jones on LVE and his recovery from neck surgery: “He’s 100 percent in my eyes.”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 27, 2020
On the 2020 schedule…
Jerry doesn’t make the schedule, but he obviously knows what the Cowboys are capable of pulling in regarding TV ratings. If there’s a big game being played, it’s unfailingly made even larger by America’s Team being one of the participants.
Jones has his eye on two key ribbon-cutting games on the 2020 schedule.
If it’s at all possible, Jerry Jones is hopeful the Cowboys can help open the new stadiums in both L.A. & Las Vegas.
It’s theoretically doable. They play @ the Rams in 2020, and they could schedule a preseason game against the Raiders.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) February 27, 2020
For the media members who climb aboard Jerry’s party bus in Indianapolis every year, it’s always quite a ride. Even though it never actually leaves its parking spot.
It’s over. 1 hour and 20 minutes with Jerry Jones. Have a great day. pic.twitter.com/Yo80Vwfr0o
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 27, 2020
