Despite a 2-6 record, the Dallas Cowboys will not be sellers at the trade deadline.
The NFL Trade Deadline is set for Tuesday, November 3rd, but executive vice president Stephen Jones made it clear that the team will not pawn off their major pieces because he feels that the team can still win the division.
On 105.3 The Fan, Jones was asked about his decision to keep pass rusher Aldon Smith. In response, Jones said he wants to “stay the course.”
“I think we’re in this to still fight (in the NFC East), said Jones. “We just have to stay the course here.”
Smith leads the Cowboys with 5.0 sacks and nine quarterback hits after signing a one-year deal. He appeared to be a trade chip that could provide a contending team a rental.
One team that was interested was the Seattle Seahawks. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Seahawks contacted the Cowboys about trading Smith.
According to Garafolo, the Cowboys rejected the request and are “likely” to give the 31-year old an extension after this season. In response, the Seahawks ended up trading with the Cincinnati Bengals for defensive end Carlos Dunlap.
Another name on the market was Michael Gallup.
Gallup is still playing on his rookie deal and is under contract through the 2021 season. Some believed the Green Bay Packers were a contender for his services.
However, Cowboys reporter Michael Gehlken shot down all rumors surrounding Gallup. Gehlken tweeted that Cowboys will keep him moving forward.
“Cowboys are not willing to trade WR Michael Gallup before Tuesday’s NFL deadline, source said. If they were to deal a top receiver, he wouldn’t be the logical choice.”
For now, it appears that the Cowboys are going to roll the dice.