The Indianapolis Colts have made multiple trade offers for disgruntled Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins, a source with knowledge of the talks confirmed.
In the final year of his contract, Jenkins has stayed home from OTAs with hopes of being traded.
The Cowboys have publicly said they viewed Jenkins as a part of their future, and coach Jason Garrett said Thursday "We're not gonna trade him." Yet privately, they have been entertaining offers.
The Colts have made a few intriguing offers. But a team source said the Cowboys will not give away anyone for cheap. The team drafted Morris Claiborne in the first round and paid big bucks for free agent Brandon Carr. That may make Jenkins trade bait.
If the Colts appear frustrated at the lack of activity for their trade offers for Jenkins, an explanation has emerged.
A high-ranking source reiterated the Cowboys' position: "We are not interested in trading Mike Jenkins."
The answer does not rule out a trade. But it does explain why the Cowboys are willing to wait for an offer that blows them away. They do not believe they need to trade him, and they don't sound in a hurry to do so. As another source said, they're not giving him away "for cheap."
Anthony Spencer, one of Jenkins' Cowboys teammates, said he understands that a move to trade the cornerback is a business decision.
"If anyone understands, I understand, but at the same time, you want a guy like that to be around the team and what not," Spencer said on Wednesday of the possible move. "But it's always a decision. I support him. He's my teammate. Whatever decision he makes."
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