In short, the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season was a disaster. Even franchise legend Emmitt Smith isn’t holding back.
After finishing a disappointing 7-10 record and missing the playoffs, the Cowboys are left watching their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, march into the Super Bowl.
Smith, a three-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, has seen enough. Speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up” ahead of Super Bowl 59, the 55-year-old former running back torched owner Jerry Jones and the current state of the Cowboys, accusing the team of “getting away from the things that made them great.”
Emmitt Smith Doesn’t See Vision in Present-Day Dallas Cowboys
Smith, who helped establish the Cowboys’ dynasty in the 1990s, reminisced about the urgency Jones once had when he bought the team. He dwelled on how the franchise was built on a commitment to winning.
“When Jerry actually bought the team, there was a sense of urgency to win games. There was a sense of urgency to recoup my [Jones’] investment,” Smith said.
“It was a sense of urgency and a vision that there was a line. Not only from a branding standpoint but from an operation level football standpoint.”
He pointed out that during the team’s golden era, Jones and former head coach Jimmy Johnson were “locked and loaded” in their vision.
“We have gotten so far away from that. We’re not leading anymore, we’re following now. And we need to get back in terms of leading on the football field. As well as leading on the business side — buildings, stadium, and everything else,” Smith added.
It's been brand over football in Dallas. @EmmittSmith22 on what needs to change for the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/G4I484Xibu
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 7, 2025
But since then, the Cowboys have fallen off, failing even to reach an NFC Championship Game in nearly 30 years.
To make matters worse, the Washington Commanders made a surprise run to the title game this season, rubbing salt in their wounds. Thus, Jones’ Cowboys now own the longest active NFC Championship drought.
Fast-forward to the 2024 season and questionable coaching decisions have amplified Dallas’ struggles. After head coach Mike McCarthy’s exit, the team promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, whose unit ranked just 21st in scoring this season and 23rd in Offense+.
The decision left many scratching their heads — including former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, who called out the franchise for its lack of direction. “They’re not serious about the future in the next two to three years,” Bryant said.
"The Cowboys are not serious about the future in the next 2-3 years… why sign (Dak Prescott) to the contract if you weren't going to put the best pieces around him to succeed."@DezBryant says Dallas hiring Brian Schottenheimer will NOT work out for Dak and the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/OJOp5Yy2x9
— Maggie and Perloff (@MaggieandPerl) February 6, 2025
Bryant also criticized the Cowboys for failing to put the right pieces around quarterback Dak Prescott, stating, “If you read between the lines, you can see the writing on the wall.”
However, the team still has optimism. Linebacker Micah Parsons, one of the league’s best defensive stars, believes player leadership will be key to the Cowboys’ resurgence.
“We need to develop these young guys,” Parsons said, stressing the importance of instilling a winning culture in the locker room.
Dallas also holds the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, allowing them to add much-needed talent — potentially Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty to revitalize their struggling ground game.
As the Eagles prepare for another Super Bowl appearance, the Cowboys remain stuck in mediocrity. Jones has the resources to fix the franchise, but Smith bluntly said, “We’re not leading anymore — we’re following.”