Jerry Jones has publicly invited trade conversations at the beginning of Dallas Cowboys’ training camp, declaring himself willing to surrender another premium draft selection for a player capable of improving the team immediately.

The Cowboys owner and general manager revealed that he had spoken to another NFL owner during the preceding 24 hours and would consider sacrificing further draft capital if the right opportunity emerged during camp.

“I’d be very interested,” Jones said, in inimitable rambling fashion, during Dallas’ opening press conference in Oxnard. “I’d give up the future to substitute where we are today — as to a player — to give you an idea about what I’d invest, something substantive, to get the right kind of deal and improve us for Opening Day — I would.”

Expressions of interest are common at this stage of the summer, when injuries and the first meaningful roster evaluations can expose needs that appeared manageable during non-contact practices, but Jones went considerably further by explicitly placing a high selection in play.

“A top pick is expendable this year for me to add to somebody that meaningfully would help us now,” he continued. “And we would have the right kind of spot on our team for it. So I’m not just looking for a player. We’re looking for somebody that can add to the mix here.”

Dallas has already conducted much of its recent roster construction through aggressive trades. The decision to send Micah Parsons to Green Bay last summer produced players and draft capital later used to acquire Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets, giving the Cowboys a dominant interior defender around whom to reshape their defence.

Williams cost Dallas a 2026 second-round selection, a conditional first-rounder in 2027 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The Cowboys are now interested in extending his stay beyond the two seasons remaining on his existing contract. Stephen Jones confirmed during the same camp availability that Dallas has spoken to Williams’ representatives and would welcome a longer agreement.

“Absolutely,” the Cowboys executive vice-president said when asked about an extension. “We’re very open to that. We want Quinnen here for the long haul.”

The timing has become more complicated after Philadelphia made Jalen Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. Williams’ existing contract averages $24m per year; Carter’s new extension is worth $38m annually and provides another favourable comparison for an established four-time Pro Bowler entering negotiations.

Committing further money to Williams and another premium pick to an outside addition would represent an emphatic acceleration of the Cowboys’ win-now strategy. Jones insisted the roster is already capable of contending for a Super Bowl following extensive defensive changes and the return of an offense built around Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and franchise-tagged receiver George Pickens, but his willingness to trade again suggests he does not regard that roster as complete.

“I feel that good about this team this year,” Jones said. “Of course, I know that I haven’t seen this team play together but, in general, looking ahead, I think we’ve got a chance to be worthy of spending some future [capital] if we see an opportunity.”

The identity of the player discussed with another owner was not revealed, nor did Jones suggest a deal was close. His comments nevertheless ensured that rival clubs now know Dallas is receptive to proposals involving established players rather than depth additions.