Jerry Jones says Cowboys won’t be afraid to ‘bust the budget.’ Here’s what that means

SAN FRANCISCO — Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the end of this season that they wouldn’t be afraid to “bust the budget” this offseason in order to capitalize on what could be the best years of quarterback Dak Prescott.

What would that actually look like, though?

Jones, speaking to a small group of reporters Thursday, was asked that exact question by The Dallas Morning News.

“We did some things last year that helped us — really helped us,” Jones said. “Busting the budget would have to be going beyond that.”

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As Jones alluded, the Cowboys did do a lot last offseason. They signed eight free agents, including running back Javonte Williams, who was the first signing and the jewel of the class. The Cowboys have usually waded in the waters of the second wave of free agency. The agreement with Williams came on the first day of free agency. They also signed defensive end Dante Fowler to a deal that, with incentives, would’ve netted him compensation that exceeded $10 million. The last time the Cowboys did that was a decade before Fowler, when the Cowboys signed free agent Greg Hardy.

The Cowboys were also active in the trade market, acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens, as well as making multiple other trades. Not all of them worked, of course. Cornerback Kaiir Elam started the season at corner, but was waived before the season ended. Linebacker Kenneth Murray started all season, but was scrutinized significantly for his performance externally, making his return to the Cowboys unlikely.

The Cowboys were undeniably active. That’s especially true compared to how they had been in recent years.

This year, the Cowboys not only have the capabilities to be active, but they also have the need. The Cowboys need to remodel their defense with a host of new starting personnel. They also would like to re-sign Pickens and Williams and potentially defensive end Jadeveon Clowney —all of whom will command more money than the Cowboys paid them a year ago.

The Cowboys currently sit over the salary cap, but have many paths to get well under it. The Cowboys could restructure deals to free up over $100 million in cap space if they wanted. Of course, restructuring doesn’t come without future impact. Jones has often equated that factor to using a credit card, meaning a bill will eventually come due.

Could they be more willing to pull out the credit card this offseason and bust the budget?

“You would expect me to take the improvement last year on available assets to have personnel … you would expect me to use every bit of anything that I gave up to get it. What I mean, [when I say] above and beyond the budget, it would be taken a little bit, if given the opportunity.”

Prescott and an offense that finished fifth in scoring is the reason Jones said he would be willing to do more than he did a year ago. With Prescott heading into Year 11, there’s a belief Dallas might have to capitalize on their current window, even if it means busting the budget.

Twitter/X: @JoeJHoyt

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