Most NFL fans know Jerry Jones’ story. The longtime oil and gas man bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million, fired legendary head coach Tom Landry and general manager Tex Schramm, and installed himself as the club’s lead decision-maker.
With Jones running personnel, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years in the mid-1990s. However, Dallas hasn’t advanced beyond the Divisional Round of the playoffs since winning Super Bowl XXX after the 1995 campaign.
Jones has long resisted calls to give up the Cowboys’ GM job and stood firm again on Monday. But should he consider relinquishing authority in Dallas’ front office?
Jerry Jones: I’m Still the Cowboys GM
Don’t expect Jones to step down from his spot atop the Cowboys’ leadership hierarchy any time soon.
In an interview with Clarence Hill of DLLS, Jones reiterated that he believes he’s still the best person for the job.
“I’ve done it all,” Jones said. “So I have an ordinate (sic) amount of confidence that f—, if anybody can figure out how to get this s— done, I can figure out how to get it done.
“I’ve been there every which way from Sunday, and I have busted my ass a bunch — a bunch. And there’s nobody living that’s out cutting and shooting that can’t give you a bunch of times they busted their ass. So hell no, there’s nobody that could f—-ing come in here and do all the contracts … and be a GM any better than I can.
“Plus, I’m where the buck stops. When it f—s up, I got to cover it. And so there you can’t give anybody enough. Can’t give. There’s nobody can do it.”
While Jones maintained his confidence in his children — all of whom are involved with the Cowboys — to deliver, it’s clear he’s the top voice in Dallas’ front office.
“I f—ing have had hundreds of (bad days),” Jones said. “I’m emotional about it sometimes. Well, running this thing, that’s who I want to make the last call. Now, when I can’t f—ing think, when I’m old and I can’t even do it … but I’m a long way from not being able to do it too.
“The reason I don’t let somebody else be the GM is because I don’t have anybody that I will let do it to actually do it right. And they’re gonna have to come to me, and because I know where it is that you’re going to pay for it.”
Is Jerry Jones Falling Behind the Rest of the NFL?
The Cowboys finally agreed to a long-term contract with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on Monday, giving the All-Pro a four-year extension worth $136 million.
Lamb’s $34 million average annual value is second among WRs behind Justin Jefferson. He’ll reportedly receive $100 million total guarantees.
Before signing Lamb, Jones had tried to convince Cowboys fans with the old adage that “you can’t pay everyone.” To be sure, Dallas should be ready to dole out plenty of cash if it wants to retain quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons.
But Jones’ negotiating strategy forced the Cowboys’ backs up against a wall. By waiting until a host of other receivers — including Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle — signed new deals, Dallas locked itself into paying Lamb at the very top of the market.
Jones’ talks with Prescott have been even more confusing. The Cowboys gave Dak all sorts of leverage by adding no-franchise tag and no-trade clauses to his most recent extension, while his $55+ million cap charge is an albatross on Dallas’ 2024 salary cap.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
Jones and Co. waited while a stream of other quarterbacks signed massive extensions, consistently shifting the market upward while Prescott was stuck with a $40 million AAV. He’s now just the 15th-highest-paid QB in the NFL.
Dallas failed to learn from its last round of contract talks with Prescott in 2020, when the club was forced to franchise tag its QB before giving him a four-year deal. Wouldn’t a deal after the 2022 campaign — when Prescott’s asking price might’ve been reduced after leading the NFL in interceptions — have made more sense for the Cowboys?
Prescott’s gargantuan cap hit restricted Dallas’ offseason spending, but Jones rarely uses the free agent market to the Cowboys’ advantage. Free agent spending sprees aren’t necessarily the best course of action for NFL teams, but smart front offices use targeted signings to augment their rosters.
The Cowboys have ranked better than 25th in free agent spending just once over the past eight offseasons, according to Spotrac:
- 2024: 32nd ($22.7 million)
- 2023: 31st ($48.7 million)
- 2022: 24th ($44.9 million)
- 2021: 26th ($39.2 million)
- 2020: 18th ($66.5 million)
- 2019: 31st ($30.5 million)
- 2018: 29th ($25.2 million)
- 2017: 25th ($40.2 million)
Jones seems to be ahead of the curve in other areas of NFL management. The Cowboys became one of the league’s most analytics-friendly organizations after reshaping their analysis group in 2023.
Dallas has also been more than willing to engage in trades. Jones acquired CB Andrew Booth Jr. and DT Jordan Phillips this offseason for depth. In 2022, the Cowboys made even more substantial swaps, picking up WR Brandin Cooks and CB Stephon Gilmore.
Still, much of the team’s success has been centered around its draft choices — and credit for those picks primarily lies with Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay.
McClay hit on first-rounders like Zack Martin, Lamb, Parsons, and Tyler Smith while finding mid- and late-round gems such as Prescott, Dalton Schultz, Dorance Armstong Jr., and Tyler Biadasz. In 2023, only six teams received more snaps from homegrown talent than Dallas.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
The Cowboys are facing a make-or-break season. Head coach Mike McCarthy didn’t receive a new contract and enters 2024 as a lame duck. If Dallas doesn’t win a playoff game, expect heads to roll.
Of course, Jones won’t fire himself. However, allowing McClay or an outside hire to conduct contract negotiations and free agent planning might be Jones’ best course of action next offseason.