Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones didn't definitively say that his team is close to adding Earl Thomas, but he certainly hinted at it during a Monday appearance on 105.3 The FAN.
“Just as we didn't talk about Everson [Griffen] until it was done. We found out that works much better for us. As I said, we're in it 365 days a year and we're always looking to get better,” Jones said. “Obviously, it's not very productive for us to talk about anything that might be in the works because it can always work against you.”
If Jones was attempting to down play any Thomas speculation, his cryptic answer may have had the opposite effect. Dallas signed Griffen in April after the veteran defensive end voided the final three years of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Plus, Jones acknowledged that the Cowboys roster isn't exactly stacked at free safety.
“It shouldn't be a surprise because it's got the least amount of resources committed to it is the safety position. We don't really have any high draft picks or any high paid players. Certainly, we got to continue to work in that area and that's what we'll do.”
Dallas currently has 2017 sixth-round pick Xavier Woods at the top of their depth chart at free safety, ahead of Darian Thompson and Luther Kirk.
Thomas, 31, was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday a few days after he punched teammate Chuck Clark in practice. Dallas, who had pursued Thomas in 2017 and 2018, was quickly deemed the frontrunner to land the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Jones was asked about Thomas' potential fit in the Cowboys locker room.
“Whenever we evaluate a player we look at the full body of work…” Jones said. “Whether it's medical, whether it's chemistry and culture on our football team. Off the field, on the field. And then the tape, how has that player played as of late. It all goes into the equation.”
Earlier Monday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expressed confidence in the current roster, though he confirmed to talking about Thomas with the team's VP of Player Personnel, Will McClay.
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