The Dallas Cowboys made the first big midseason NFL trade splash by bringing in cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if you ask team owner and de facto GM Jerry Jones, that may have only been the beginning.
Appearing on 105.3 The Fan is Dallas, Jones proudly declared that the “door is always open” to improving the team with more trades.
“The door is always open to get better. I’m open. We’re open,” Jones said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
Cowboys fans were certainly pleased to see Jones being so aggressive in bringing in stars to bolster the team, particularly on defense, where they’ve struggled since 2024. They love the idea of the team truly going all-in even if it means sacrificing long-term draft capital.
“I get on them for saying ‘we like our guys’ and trying to succeed with what they have but they’re actively trying to win now for the first time in a long time and that’s all I’ve ever asked for. (expletive) them picks go for it man I need it,” one fan wrote on X.
“See!!! This is who I wanted to hear from!!” wrote another.
“If only Jerry had been operating like this the last 3 decades…. But hey I’ll take it,” wrote a third.
© Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
When will the improvement start?
It’s not like the Cowboys haven’t already been aggressive in the trade market though. Last year alone they made blockbuster trades to bring in All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams and linebackers Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson in hopes of bolstering the defense in the middle of the season.
Instead, the team wound up giving up a franchise record 511 points. Right now the team is on pace to give up 476 points, which would be the second-most in team history.
As good as Joey Porter Jr. is, it’s going to take a lot more than him to get the defense at a level where they can contend for championships rather than simply winning close games.
