Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy say Cowboys can be contenders

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy like where the team stands ahead of the 2023 season.

McCarthy said the Cowboys' roster is "definitely the best of the four years" he's been in charge, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

"I feel really good about where we are. … We love what we accomplished in player acquisition throughout the spring," McCarthy added, per Jett Beachum of CBS News Texas. "More importantly, now that these guys have been here, the way they fit in. I can't say enough about (wide receiver) Brandin (Cooks) and (cornerback Stephon) Gilmore."

The Cowboys posted a 12-5 record in 2022, their second consecutive 12-win season. However, the team fell short against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional-round game, failing to reach the NFC title game for the 27th consecutive campaign.

"It's about winning a championship. I don't shy away from that at all," McCarthy said. "Everybody today should feel that they can win the championship. They may not talk about it, but we feel very strongly about who we are as a team, and we look forward to all the challenges and the adversity that's gonna come."

Dallas made aggressive moves this past offseason, trading for Cooks and Gilmore. It also parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who was also the club's play-caller.

"If we can have the kind of camp we want to have, we've got a team that can compete for the top spot. … I think we've got a chance to be a contender," Jones said.

The Cowboys are 30-20 in three seasons under McCarthy, who's now set to call plays for the first time since joining the NFC East club.

Dallas has ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense and defense in each of the last two seasons.