2024 training camp is off to a great start. Well, not really. Cowboys fans hoping to hear some football talk had to listen to a nearly hour-long press conference on Thursday night during their introductory press conference, devoted entirely to front-office topics. Jerry and Stephen Jones allowed Mike McCarthy to sit on stage with them, but most reporters were focused on the offseason and contract situation, despite a few reporters (mainly Patrick Walker) trying to steer them toward on-field topics.
That’s fair. The Cowboys’ offseason was unlike any other. No contract extensions or long-term deals were signed, and there was plenty of dissatisfaction with the way the team got out of the playoffs. The Jones brothers talked about demands from CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and quarterback Dak Prescott, redefined “all-in” for the 100th time and talked a lot about ambiguity. No, they didn’t. They just talked a lot about ambiguity.
Below are some highlights from the day’s press conference, taken from reactions on Twitter.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb practices in Houston today.
“It just has to make sense,” CeeDee Lamb said of his contract, per a source.
He said he’s now 195-196 pounds. He’s heavier than he was before, and he’s faster and more explosive. He trains 2 hours a day and still does it… pic.twitter.com/NFwlXcBFKT
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) July 25, 2024
I don’t understand what’s going on at this press conference.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) July 25, 2024
Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones spoke about the “ambiguity” surrounding the team entering camp:
“I’m more worried about finishing the season than starting fast… I’m committed to making sure my last game ends differently than the last one.”#Dallas Cowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 25, 2024
Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are committed to winning a championship and he has confidence in their roster and head coach.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 25, 2024
“Finishing the season on a good note and winning an award is more important to me than getting the whole house in order and starting training camp.”
– Jerry Jones from 2024 #Cowboys Training camp
“It gives me a lot of comfort knowing we can get into the playoffs and win…” pic.twitter.com/JroZvj6jSt
– Patrick Jul 23 ’13 at 18:45 [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 25, 2024
Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones talks about not participating in training camp.
“It’s something that’s happening all over the league. I’m not outraged when it happens to us… it’s just business as usual for me. I’m used to this.”#Dallas Cowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 25, 2024
Stephen Jones said Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL — more than $35 million a year.
— Clarence Hill Jr. (@clarencehilljr) July 25, 2024
Steven ended up typing in the obvious and in his first answer.
There was also a little rumor going around that both Sheedy and Micah wanted to be the highest-paid non-QBs in the league.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@timeforjeffrey) July 25, 2024
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said he has had great contract negotiations with the representatives for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. “These things take time.”
— John Machota (@jonmachota) July 25, 2024
“I totally respect that,” Stephen Jones added.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 25, 2024
“I don’t think this will be Dak’s last year. #Cowboys – Jeez.”
– Jerry Jones talks about Dak Prescott
– Patrick Jul 23 ’13 at 18:45 [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) July 25, 2024
For the record, there is indeed something new about the Dak Prescott situation.
Jerry Jones correctly points out that this won’t be Dak’s final season in Dallas, but not having solid control over negotiations with a franchise quarterback is pretty unusual.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) July 25, 2024
“I think we can get both of them done,” Stephen Jones said of the deal for Prescott and Lamb, though Jones suggested “we have to make tougher decisions” about other players.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 25, 2024
Jerry is half Biden and half Trump.
— Kevin Turner (@ktfuntweets) July 25, 2024
Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones said season-ticket renewals were the highest in the NFL. Stephen Jones said he understood fans’ frustration. pic.twitter.com/uhsMtFF7Nk
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 25, 2024
Nick Harris DC To Jerry: “What do you think the measure of success will be for you guys in the future?”
Jerry Jones: It would be a mistake to draw a hard line based on the Green Bay game.
— Stephen Mac (@Stephen_Mac03) July 25, 2024
Twenty minutes into the Cowboys’ current team press conference, a question was finally posed to head coach Mike McCarthy… pic.twitter.com/QWVB9Z1rYm
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) July 25, 2024
MM is just a decoration at this point 😂. This guy can’t speak a word of Lawd 😩.
— Iisha Morrison (@Iishamorrison) July 25, 2024