Jerry Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday ahead of the Dallas Cowboys‘ first regular season game against the New York Giants.
Jerry Jones on Tyler Smith Injury Update
Jones said that Tyler Smith will be getting an MRI on his hamstring today, and they felt better about it after they assessed it after practice.
“You always are concerned initially, but as he got to acclimate a little bit there off of it, it hopefully is not as serious enough as an injury to impact him on Sunday.”
When asked if this injury would impact Smith’s availability for the game against the Giants, he said, “Other than the fact that he had to leave practice, but nothing that we’ve evaluated keeps him out at this point.”
This came after Smith walked off the practice field on Monday to speak to athletic trainers. Initial reports stated that Smith was dealing with hamstring discomfort.
Jones on Terence Steele’s Contract
Jones spoke about the Cowboys’ latest contract extension with Terence Steele, saying he is a triumph for the development he made within the team.
He said that with Steele coming out of Texas Tech as an undrafted free agent in 2020, a team didn’t use to run block as much. But Steele has become one of the top offensive tackles with positional flex.
“To see him overcome his setback on his injury and then recover from that, all of that weighs in how good we felt about getting him that kind of money,” said Jones.
Jones on Dak Prescott’s Contract
Jones was then asked about Dak Prescott’s contract and how it impacts next season’s salary cap and if they will continue contract discussions or table those discussions until next season.
He said the numbers on big contracts like Prescott’s are always on his mind. But overall: “We expect Dak to be with us a long time.”
During this discussion, he also mentioned CeeDee Lamb, another player who needs a contract extension done sooner rather than later.
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Jones said that even though the season is about to kick off, he is always open to contract discussions.
“It may be a better time for [the players] to get to a point where they can make a decision. We all, I know I do, have times that I get up, and I feel like locking something down that may be a loose end and if I get a chance to. Well, I’ll do it. That should sound flexible because it is, that’s a moving part,” said Jones.
He also discussed how injury can “appreciate or depreciate” talent levels within a season, saying, “How you start a season off is not how you end up a season with a short-term or long-term look either.”
Jones on the Cowboys’ Roster
Jones received a question about the depth of the roster, and if there is an area he would want improvement on. He was quick to mention the depth within the offensive line.
“We do feel very good about this roster about where it is. As pointed out, and is true, the depth in the offensive line would be one that I would go to. ‘Get in line.’ I don’t know a team within the NFL that doesn’t say that. Your depth in the offensive line. So that means you’re going to be playing some games with potentially a little concern there.” said Jones.
He said that is why it is essential to have an offense that can execute when the protection isn’t perfect. Jones articulated that having an entire team that can adjust to not having a perfect offensive line is essential.
Jones on the Cowboys’ Offense
Question (paraphrased): what would Jones have to see from the Cowboys’ offense this season to consider the offseason changes he made by hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the offensive coordinator and having Mike McCarthy calling the plays.
“I’d like to see better protections with our quarterback. That can come back through his own footwork, that can come about through his own release… that can come about the design of the passing game… I’d probably like to see a tighter front,” said Jones.
He also mentioned that this is Prescott’s first year in the league without Kellen Moore as a teammate or a coordinator.
According to Jones, McCarthy “has his hands in the middle of the install,” with him now calling the plays. The biggest takeaway was that he wants to see Prescott set up for success in terms of protection.
Jones on Trey Lance Trade
Jones discussed the Trey Lance trade, saying that although the team structure is often criticized, it allowed them to do the Trey Lance trade.
“I didn’t have to fool around. I can make that trade in five minutes, and the reason I can is because I have all of that information. I had it from when we drafted him. I had information just right at my fingertips, what we thought of his play the last couple of years.
“I knew what we thought of him. I didn’t have to visit with anybody about what kind of player he is, and so I was able to make the call… I don’t have to talk to anyone about that,” said Jones.
In the wake of the decision to make the call and not inform McCarthy or Prescott, he said, “It’s a continual thing,” adding that if he had stopped too long to meet about it, he might have “missed the train.”
“We don’t have that internal 3-man, 4-man checkoff through the organization. We don’t have to have that if it’s not called for,” said Jones.