A side-by-side video comparing Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Washington Commanders owners Magic Johnson and Josh Harris has gone viral and is trending on social media. The video features both groups of owners and shows how they interacted with the media and where they wanted their team’s focus to be. Whereas the Commanders group wants the focus on the team, Jones solely discusses himself and his goals.
In many ways, the leadership styles mimic the type of year both franchises are having. Jones and the Cowboys did not qualify for the playoffs this year, and there are numerous offseason questions about head coach and roster construction. Meanwhile, the Commanders have advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs after a Wild Card win. They also appear to have both their quarterback and coach of the future set.
What Did the Social Media Post Reveal About Jerry Jones and Magic Johnson?
Johnson detailed how the Commanders’ success comes from a new franchise vision and outlined how it all stems from the individuals in the locker room.
“What does it take? New vision. New owner with a strategy. Picking the right people. First, our coach, Coach Quinn, Adam Peters, and then we all step out of the way and let them do their job,” he explained.
Harris outlined how “talent, culture, and people” were the keys to the team’s newfound success. Following this, both men explained that the focus should not be on them but on the players and coaches inside the locker room.
How Washington Commanders owners (Josh Harris & Magic Johnson) talk about running an NFL team vs. Dallas Cowboys owner & general manager Jerry Jones.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/CzKBK2jEtH
— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) January 13, 2025
Meanwhile, Jones discussed how he was the GM of the franchise in response to a question by a reporter. He also discussed how, when he took charge of the Cowboys, that investment was for himself.
“I bought it for me. And I didn’t buy an investment. I bought an occupation,” he stated.
Cowboys’ Future Outlook
While the Commanders are playing in the next round of the playoffs, the Cowboys are sitting at home and have numerous offseason questions that need to be addressed quickly by Jones.
First, head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract is about to expire and it appears there are some NFL teams interested in his services. Insiders reported in the last few weeks that the Chicago Bears requested permission from the Cowboys to discuss their vacant head coach position with McCarthy, a request which Jones and the franchise denied.
Despite the questionable GM techniques, it is clear that Jones has a lot of work to do early in the offseason to rebuild the struggling franchise.