Speaking with 105.3 The FAN, Jones mentioned teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, but also made it clear that “the first game for this team was unquestionably important. Don’t get it wrong.” Jones also placed particular emphasis on the team’s defensive struggles in Week 1.

“The last time that I was involved in as much change as we have made this year was the first year that I bought the Dallas Cowboys and we won one game … I think that’s an explanation, a valid one. There’s a lot of change to that side of the ball. We’re very optimistic that we can play better right now than what we played there Sunday night.”

Cowboys’ defense struggles against Giants

America’s Team’s defense had a rough night at MetLife Stadium, getting completely worn down in a 28-20 season-opening loss to the New York Giants. New York completely dictated the pace, outgaining Dallas 394 to 244 in total yards and dominating the clock with a staggering 36:40 time of possession.

The Cowboys couldn’t figure out Jaxson Dart, who torched them for 230 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and an efficient 79.3% completion rate, all while adding 54 yards on the ground. Factor in another 165 rushing yards surrendered to the Giants’ backfield, and it was clear the defense spent way too much time gasping for air on the field.

Time to bounce back

The Cowboys won’t have time to sulk after that opening-night flop against the Giants, as a crucial stretch lies ahead. They’ll return to Arlington to host the Washington Commanders in Week 2, aiming to fix their defensive communication and re-establish control at home.

Next comes a marquee international showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a quick turnaround for an in-state battle against the Houston Texans. To get back on track, Dallas must tighten up its run defense, settle down Dak Prescott, and prove that Week 1 was just a fluke rather than a sign of systemic flaws.

The Seahawks’ recent experience

Although the Seattle Seahawks stumbled in Week 1 of the 2025 season with a tight 17-13 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers, they bounced back to pull off an incredible championship run. Mike Macdonald’s team ultimately capped off its dominant year by capturing the trophy in Super Bowl LX, overpowering the New England Patriots in a 29-13 victory.

Even though head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted the physicality brought by the Giants was too much for the Cowboys, many believe there was one play where the game was lost for Dallas. That was Prescott’s costly interception before the end of the first half.

“Yes. Yes, [that was when the game turned]. We all know you can’t make it on a play. But a play sometimes is the decisive point,” Jones stated during an interview on 105.3 The FAN. “And there’s no question that [Prescott’s interception] was impactful for the entire game, what happened to us.”

The quarterback wants to move on. Prescott made that clear when he acknowledged the loss to New York while urging Dallas to stay focused on the 2026 NFL season. However, the loss stings, and he didn’t get such grace from America’s Team’s owner.

Prescott’s first INT in a while

Although his pick on Sunday night against the Giants wasn’t the first time the Cowboys’ signal-caller made an eyebrow-raising play in primetime, it was indeed his first turnover in a long time. Obviously, the fact that it was only Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season and Dallas hadn’t played since January helps.

Still, Prescott had entered the season with a four-game interception-less streak. Dak had finished the last season stringing together several clean games. However, he didn’t have the best of starts to the campaign.

Prescott finished the 28-20 loss in New York with 175 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Prior to Week 1, Prescott’s last interception in an NFL game was on Dec. 4, 2025, when he threw two picks in a 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Jones reiterated Friday that the Cowboys would consider making a substantial move if the right opportunity becomes available. Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News shared Jones’ comments from an appearance on 105.3 The Fan on X. “Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reiterates that they’d be open to making a substantive trade,” Hoyt wrote.

Jones, however, made it clear that Dallas will not make a major move simply for the sake of adding another player. “Totally predicated on the availability and the circumstances if we had the chance to improve it,” Jones said. Hoyt added that a potential deal would ultimately need to be the right move for Dallas before the organization makes a splash.

Dallas still has room to make another trade

The possibility of another major addition is not mere speculation. Dallas has generated additional financial flexibility by restructuring several contracts, granting the organization greater room to maneuver if an attractive opportunity arises.

Jones noted that the Cowboys could leverage that flexibility to reinforce this season’s roster, with the addition of another defensive player serving as an especially logical possibility. Dallas has already undertaken a significant defensive overhaul and hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, meaning the addition of another proven, high-impact defensive player could elevate the unit’s potential.

A blockbuster trade may not materialize before Week 1, making an immediate deal difficult to predict. However, the trade landscape can shift rapidly once games begin.

Players who currently appear unavailable could become realistic targets if their teams struggle, injuries create roster needs, or front offices alter their plans. Names such as Joey Porter Jr. have been mentioned as potential defensive targets, while other established pass rushers could become available if their respective teams reconsider their stance later in the NFL season.

“I’ve always thought Baltimore outcoached them since he had been the coach there. I had a funny feeling when he got there with the Giants, knowing we face him 2 times a year. He’s an outstanding coach,” Jones said on the 105.3 The FAN show.

Jones and Harbaugh are two figures with a long history in this league, and mutual respect is evident despite the fact that they will be on opposite sidelines next Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Will the head coach once again put America’s Team against the ropes?

Harbaugh’s record against the Cowboys

Since taking over as an NFL head coach with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, John Harbaugh has held a 4–1 record against the Dallas Cowboys. His only loss came back in 2016, but outside of that setback, he has consistently gotten the best of America’s Team.

He picked up head-to-head victories in 2008, 2012, 2020, and most recently in Week 3 of the 2024 season, when Baltimore held off a late Dallas rally to secure a 28-25 win. Next Sunday, he will have a chance to improve on those numbers, this time at the helm of the Giants.

All set for the debut

The wait is finally over for fans, and now it’s time to get ready for the debut of these two NFC East powerhouses. The confirmation that Malik Nabers is virtually set to play for the Giants puts even more pressure on Brian Schottenheimer, who will have another reason to worry.

MetLife Stadium will be dressed to the nines for this highly anticipated divisional matchup, with both teams looking to start their campaigns with a winning record. Will the G-Men capitalize on home-field advantage, or will the Cowboys pull off the upset and defy the predictions?

“I’m excited what he has to do with us this year and in coming years, and I emphasize that, in coming years,” Jones revealed via The Athletic‘s Jon Machota. That said, the Cowboys owner made it clear that Pickens will have to continue performing at the highest level: “The better he plays, the better it is for him.”

The start of the 2026 NFL season will put Pickens head-to-head against Greg Newsome in a highly anticipated Sunday Night Football matchup between the Cowboys and the New York Giants. The wide receiver will face a major test to prove that he can remain with the franchise for many years to come.

What is Pickens’ contract situation?

Pickens is locked into playing the 2026 NFL season on a one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag with the Cowboys. Since the July 15 deadline passed without a multi-year extension being locked down, Dallas legally can’t offer him a long-term deal until after the regular-season finale in January 2027.

Pickens is coming off a monster 2025 campaign where he dropped 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, but with CeeDee Lamb already on a massive contract, the Cowboys‘ front office has openly admitted that fitting both wideouts under the cap long-term is going to be a massive financial riddle to solve.

Jones remains positive about Von Miller’s arrival

Starting a new NFL season requires not only talent, but also experienced players who can help navigate the challenges that come along the way. The Cowboys managed to acquire the services of Von Miller, and Jerry Jones himself is confident that the veteran pass rusher will put up very good numbers this season.

“I’m excited about what he can do, and I think he’ll really be in a position to really have some serious numbers out there. I’m glad we got him,” Jones firmly stated to the press.

Von Miller has already made it clear that he plans to help the Cowboys wherever he is needed, bringing the kind of veteran presence that could prove highly valuable to the team. It remains to be seen what role the coaching staff ultimately gives him once the ball gets rolling.

The league fined both Dallas and New Orleans $500,000 after several fights broke out during the practices in Oxnard, California, with the NFL emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and player safety during joint sessions. Jones acknowledged that the fine was significant and said the Cowboys plan to appeal the league’s decision.

However, the owner also made clear that the Cowboys cannot simply dismiss what happened as part of the competitive nature of training camp. “Without any humor at all, this is a serious matter and it needs to be taken that way by everybody associated at the club level, right up through the top. You have to have consequences and that needs to register. We all know, whether you play in a game or out here in society, if you aren’t sensitive about the consequences of your behavior, then you’ll get brought to your knees pretty quick.”

What happened between Cowboys and Saints?

The Cowboys’ punishment could also go beyond the NFL’s $500,000 penalty. Jones said Dallas will review the incidents and impose fines on individual players deemed responsible for the altercations. One player who drew particular attention was linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was ejected from practice after throwing a punch, marking his second ejection during training camp.

Jones’ comments reflect the seriousness with which the Cowboys are treating the incident. Joint practices are designed to give teams valuable competitive work against another opponent, but repeated fights can eliminate that benefit and increase the risk of injuries before the regular season even begins.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer had already expressed disappointment with the practice, while Saints coach Kellen Moore also acknowledged that the session included behavior that went beyond normal football intensity.

The NFL had reminded teams before training camp that they were responsible for preventing unsportsmanlike behavior during joint practices. The league’s decision to hand both organizations $500,000 fines demonstrates how seriously it is enforcing that message. Jones himself acknowledged that the penalty was a way for the league to get everyone’s attention, particularly because there are fewer traditional consequences such as game penalties during a practice.

Several altercations broke out during the session, with videos quickly spreading across social media and generating plenty of controversy. The NFL had already warned teams that maintaining sportsmanship during joint practices would be a major priority, making the Cowboys-Saints incident particularly costly.

Now, the league’s decision makes its position clear: competition is encouraged at joint practices, but unsportsmanlike behavior that threatens player safety will come with a significant price.

Why did the NFL fine the Cowboys and Saints?

The $500,000 fines were issued after the league determined that the actions during the joint practice crossed the line of acceptable behavior. Insider Adam Schefter explained the NFL’s position.

“The Competition Committee has made sportsmanship, including at joint practices, a point of emphasis over the past several years. All clubs were reminded by memo prior to training camp of their responsibility in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices that has the potential to result in injury.”

That warning is especially important because joint practices are designed to give teams competitive work against opponents without the risks and consequences associated with a regular-season game.

The Cowboys and Saints instead saw the session descend into multiple confrontations, creating exactly the type of situation the league has been trying to prevent.

Cowboys and Saints receive historic joint-practice punishment

The financial impact is significant, but the message behind the punishment could be even more important. The NFL wants teams to maintain control when practicing against another squad, particularly because players are not protected by the same game-day structure and officials that exist during regular-season contests. A fight can quickly escalate and potentially cause injuries to important players.

The Cowboys and Saints now serve as a major example of the league’s new approach. With each organization receiving a $500,000 fine, other teams around the NFL have been put on notice before the 2026 regular season begins.

The controversy also highlights how quickly incidents at training camp can become major stories. Videos from the Cowboys-Saints practice spread across social media almost immediately, turning what could have been an internal team matter into a league-wide discussion.

Dallas is taking a risk by allowing Pickens to take the field on a one-year deal. If the wide receiver puts up another productive season, the value of his next contract will be much higher. Apparently, Jones is fine with that scenario and even admitted as much.

“He can come out here and have the year that he’s talented enough and mentally prepared to have, and that contract would be a lot bigger than it would’ve been,” Jones said Friday on Up & Adams. Wide receivers have been securing massive paydays in recent years, and Dallas has an in-house example after giving CeeDee Lamb $136 million over four years.

Prescott recognizes Pickens’ talent

Even without playoff success, Prescott has played great football in the regular season throughout his career. To maintain that momentum in the coming years, he has publicly urged Jones to lock up Pickens on a long-term deal.

Also speaking on Up & Adams with Kay Adams, Prescott championed his star target: “You know George, you know he loves football. And at the end of the day, it’s not for the money. However, he should get every dollar that he deserves because he’s a hell of a player, and we should probably give it to him sooner than later because it’s only gonna go up.”

To achieve success, the Cowboys will need to maintain their historical dominance within the division, a feat Prescott has masterfully accomplished throughout his career, though he will also need Pickens’ support.

Over his 10 seasons under center, the veteran signal-caller boasts an incredible NFC East record: going 10-5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-2 against the Washington Commanders, and a staggering 14-3 against the New York Giants.

Pickens’ path to Arlington

Pickens originally arrived in Arlington via a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick (while Dallas also netted a 2027 sixth-round pick).

He immediately put together a career-best 2025 campaign, hauling in 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite those elite numbers, the front office opted to place him on the $27.3 million franchise tag for the 2026 NFL season.

The Cowboys have three preseason games coming up against the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans Saints before opening the 2026 regular season in a Sunday Night Football clash against the rival New York Giants on Sept. 13.

Jones recently spoke about the outcome of the Parsons trade during training camp in Oxnard, California. It has been nearly one year since the deal was completed, a move that shocked many fans at the time. Still, Jones expressed satisfaction and told reporters he has no regrets about letting Parsons leave.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Jones said: “Even though Micah is an outstanding talent [that] anybody would like to have, the bottom line is that I like what the result of the trade has ended up as I stand here today. You could say those picks got us key players, but the main thing that the Herschel Walker trade did, it caused me to be more aggressive and caused us to, if you will, take more risk because we had more picks.”

A risk they had to take

According to Jones, it was a necessary risk to continue growing for the future, especially given the picks they now hold and the options those assets provide. He added that it eventually allowed them to take more risks and improve the team.

“So, in a way, this actually created a mental part to us and to my role in it with me, to step out and make the moves and take, if you will, risks that are involved to be where we are today, with a complete makeover of the defense,” Jones said. Indeed, the Cowboys used Parsons’ departure to strengthen their roster in different areas.

Jones has already capitalized on Parsons trade

The Cowboys traded Parsons on Aug. 28, 2025, to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027. These picks were subsequently used to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets and select defensive end Malachi Lawrence in the draft.

The trade also allowed them to generate significant salary cap flexibility, which proved very useful. It was key to signing safety Jalen Thompson, acquiring pass rusher Rashan Gary, and giving Williams his recent three-year contract extension.

“I’m sure we can make a way,” Lamb said via Yahoo Sports. “I know it’s going to be a little crazy, but I know we can make a way for this one. “Listen, this is my advocation, @ Jerry, can you please figure out a way? Let’s figure it out. I don’t care what needs to happen. Let’s figure it out and it’s going to get you a couple more championships.”

Many times, people believe that having several stars on a roster could hurt the chemistry inside the locker room. Lamb, an experienced player, prefers to put individual ego aside in order to strengthen the team as a whole.

“I don’t have no ego here, I want to win,” the experienced wide receiver said. “I don’t understand the narrative or X, Y, Z, but it is what it is.” Will Jones finally satisfy Lamb’s desire to continue playing alongside Pickens for a longer time with the Cowboys?

What is Pickens’ contract situation?

George Pickens enters the 2026 season playing under a fully guaranteed, one-year $27.3 million franchise tag after the Dallas Cowboys and his representation failed to reach a multi-year extension prior to the July 15 deadline. Under league rules, contract negotiations cannot resume until after Dallas concludes its regular season in January 2027.

Coming off a career-best 2025 campaign where he tallied 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns alongside CeeDee Lamb, Pickens can secure a lucrative long-term future in Dallas by maintaining elite WR1/WR2 productivity while continuing to display total maturity within Brian Schottenheimer’s team.

If he sustains this level of play without off-field distractions in 2026, he will either force Dallas to hand him a top-tier multi-year deal in 2027 or potentially utilize a second franchise tag estimated at $32.8 million.

Lamb is having a strong training camp

The Cowboys’ 2026 training camp is producing good results, especially on offense. Lamb is building a strong connection with Dak Prescott, something that has fans excited ahead of their Week 1 debut against the New York Giants.

“It’s demoralizing for the defense,” he said. “They were mad, hyped and all that. You know how defensive guys be. But as for us man, we just got to connect, fight through the fire and air it out.”

“That’s exactly why, if you’re me, you would be open to that is because of the man. I have all the respect in the world for him, and I know what he did for the Mavericks and what he’s done for basketball,” Jones said to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

“You want to associate with the highest quality of [a person] who loves the game and then also at the same time wants to do something about it. Mark leads the way in that.”

Will Jones sell the Cowboys anytime soon? That remains uncertain. The only clear thing is that Mark Cuban, with his extensive experience in the sports world, could be the perfect candidate to take over.

Mark Cuban’s era with the Mavericks

Mark Cuban’s transformative era as owner of the Dallas Mavericks began in January 2000, when he purchased the majority stake in the struggling franchise for $285 million. Under his passionate leadership and player-first investment, the Mavericks emerged as a perennial contender, highlighted by winning two Western Conference titles (2006 and 2011) and the franchise’s sole NBA Championship in 2011.

In late December 2023, Cuban sold his controlling majority stake to the Adelson and Dumont families at a valuation of approximately $3.5 billion. Today, he serves as a minority owner (retaining around 27% equity) while maintaining oversight of the team’s basketball operations.

The Dallas Cowboys’ valuation

According to Forbes, the Dallas Cowboys are valued at a record-setting $13 billion, solidifying their position as the most valuable sports franchise in the world for the 19th consecutive year. This valuation represents a 29% increase from their previous $10.1 billion mark, making them the first team in sports history to cross the $13 billion threshold.

Driven by an estimated $1.234 billion in annual revenue and an operating income of $629 million, Jerry Jones’ franchise continues to lead global sports business by a wide margin.