FRISCO, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys created a little more than $19 million in salary cap room by restructuring the contracts of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland and tight end Jake Ferguson, the natural question was why.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, owner and general manager Jerry Jones laid out an option.
"That does show that we have really viable, serious room financially to make a trade if we wanted to right now," Jones said.
According to NFLPA figures, the Cowboys have $33.6 million in cap room, although if that goes unused, it would be rolled over to the 2027 cap.
At the start of training camp, Jones said he would be willing to make a substantive trade to improve the Cowboys in 2026 even if it meant taking away future draft capital to do so. On Tuesday, Jones indicated general trade talks have continued, but nothing is on the table at this time.
Last week, the Cowboys acquired offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a fourth-round pick for third- and sixth-round selections from the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Cowboys had eyes on a potential move down the road, Jones said it would be to help the defense.
Jones has confidence in the team's running backs, loves the depth at quarterback and tight end and has a top-flight receiver group with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
"So when you look at all of that, you probably could see more than likely depth on defense," Jones said. "But defense would be the place."
Based on other moves, the Cowboys have picks in the first, second, fourth and sixth rounds in 2027 and will not receive any compensatory picks based on free agents they lost this past offseason.
Making a trade involving draft selections is not impossible, according to Jones.
"You want all the picks you can get, but this time of the year what you're interested in is what you've done with the picks that you've used and what you might be able to do if you could add to bringing talent on the roster," Jones said. "We're still alive and well in that area, but picks are important. That's your consideration for the future when it gets to the draft. But what's top of mind for me right now is getting the best team we can put on this field."
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.
