Things are expected to heat up a bit this week for the Dallas Cowboys with mandatory minicamp starting on Tuesday, but that’s obviously leaving Monday before we even get there. Luckily for all of us, EVP Stephen Jones was behind the microphone as the Cowboys announced that the East-West Shrine game will take place at the Ford Center next February.
While Jones discussed the immediate matter at hand, he also touched on other topics related to the current team.
It looks like cowboys aren’t exactly into DeAndre Hopkins
It’s been over a week ago Arizona Cardinals Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is released, and although he doesn’t have a new NFL home just yet, there are some Cowboys fans hoping he’ll make America’s Team.
Stephen Jones didn’t explicitly say this wouldn’t happen, but he did. He noted that the team is very happy where they are and mentioned the acquisition of Brandin Cooks almost in a “that’s what we did instead” kind of way.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones on whether there is any interest in free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins: “He’s not on that team right now. We went on the road with (Branden’s) chefs. We’re very comfortable with the chefs. We’re really happy with our receiving group.” pic.twitter.com/yxTKRgLa7S
– John Machota (@jonmachota) June 5, 2023
While the prospect of Hopkins joining the offense is fun to talk about, there is a legitimate logic to the Cowboys pass, assuming Hopkins wants a big contract wherever he ends up. The salary cap can certainly be manipulated but it’s a real thing to reckon with (no pun intended).
And the Cowboys have a few contract stuff to deal with, too.
The Cowboys are hoping to figure things out with CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Terence Steele
As we are now in June, the Cowboys received an exemption from their salary cap following the June 1 release of Ezekiel Elliott. While some would like to see that reserved for a player like Hopkins, the strongest possibility is that the Cowboys are investing it in players currently on the team.
It’s no secret that new signings will be a must for Sir Lamb, Trayvon Diggs and Terrence Steele soon. Lamb had his fifth-year option exercised by the team this offseason, so there’s more time on the clock there, but as it stands, both Diggs and Steele (RFA) are entering contract years with the team. The Cowboys seem like they’d like to take care of things on this end, too.
Stephen Jones said the Cowboys have “touched base” with agents CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs and Terence Steele hoping to complete the deals. And while he was optimistic, he also acknowledged that players have generally been more willing to wait lately as the price appears to be going up.
– Todd Archer (@toddarcher) June 5, 2023
Over the weekend, ESPN reported that the Cowboys and Diggs were in touch about a contract with a very preliminary meaning.
While Lamb, Diggs, and Steele are mentioned here, it’s worth noting that Center Tyler Biadasz is not. That’s not to say the Cowboys aren’t just interested in securing a long-term deal with Biadash, but like Diggs and Steele, he’s also entering a one-year contract with the team. Doing things before the sand in the hourglass is gone is never a bad thing.
Potential trade is not off the table
While we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the players we want to see the Cowboys bring in, it’s always possible for them to send players their way as well.
Stephen Jones noticed that the Cowboys could The player may move before training camp.
Clarification on Stephen Jones’ quote:
“Men’s trading” is more of a change at the bottom of the list and not a trading market.
“There is a chance that we will exchange some men that we do not want to take into camp, and we will exchange that man for another in the same position.”
– Nick Harris (@nick Harris) June 5, 2023
The Cowboys have some depth on the defensive end and it depends what kind of mood you are in at other positions on their roster. Whether or not they decide to ship one remains to be seen, but apparently nothing is on the table.
The Cowboys have worked on a few guys
While Stephen Jones did his fair share of the talking, there was another opportunity for Jerry Jones to court which he certainly did.
Interesting Jerry noticed that the Cowboys worked out a handful of guys. He also (the shocker here) did not rule out the return of Ezekiel Elliott.
The Cowboys had several players visit The Star today for a free agent training. Wide receiver, QB and cornerback. At least one signature is expected. List of 90 players in 88 players.
– Michael Gilken (GehlkenNFL) June 5, 2023
Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have worked out 5-6 free agent players today.
Jones said he wouldn’t close the door on a potential Ezekiel Elliott return.
Jones on DeAndre Hopkins: “We’re not ruling out any possibility, but it’s unlikely.”
– John Machota (@jonmachota) June 5, 2023
Jerry also threw some cold water on Hopkins’ forehead, so it stands to reason that he wasn’t one of the players present for said drill.
Jordan Lewis could start the season at PUP
The Cowboys will see Jordan Lewis return from injury this season and it looks like he might need some extra time. Stephen Jones has indicated that Lewis may start on the PUP.
Stephen Jones says that in addition to the kicker, the Cowboys can look deep at the cornerback before training camp.
“with [Jourdan] Lewis is looking more and more…that he’s going to PUP, we could use a little depth in the corner just for the numbers. “
– Nick Harris (@nick Harris) June 5, 2023
Maybe the Cowboys want to hedge their bet a little bit on the corner. We’ll see.
Update: 2:05 p.m. ET
One last note from Monday… Jerry Jones was asked if there will be any additions to Ring of Honor this year, and you can guess how that went.
Jerry Jones said there will be no new members added to the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor this year.
The wait for Jimmie Johnson continues. pic.twitter.com/qBQiZ6ooWA
– David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) June 5, 2023
It continues to be incredibly frustrating for Dallas Cowboys fans to have Jimmy Johnson literally Pro Football Hall of Fame member, still excluded from Ring of Honor. It is now an annual thing to regret this every June.
Do not believe me? Consider this past June when Jerry dropped the idea less than a year later after vowing to put Jimmy in the ring during Jimmy’s HOF Weekend of All Things.
Jerry Jones August 5th, 2021: Jimmy Johnson will be in the Ring of Honor
Jerry Jones on June 16, 2022: Nothing is decided at all. This is something I didn’t really decide until about a week or two before I did. pic.twitter.com/IsevT8jBNh
– Blogging The Boys (BloggingTheBoys) June 17, 2022
We all keep waiting.