Jerry Jones Takes Accountability as Cowboys’ Season Crumbles: “I Know Exactly Who’s Responsible”
With three games left in the regular season and playoff hopes all but mathematically erased, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a familiar and frustrating position-on the outside looking in. For the second straight year, the postseason is slipping away, and once again, the spotlight turns to the man at the top: Jerry Jones.
Speaking candidly on 105.3 The Fan this week, the longtime Cowboys owner didn’t deflect or sugarcoat the situation. He owned it.
“There’s no question,” Jones said. “There’s no manning-up or anything.
I know exactly who is ultimately responsible. I’ve always had that because I’ve always had the responsibility.”
This isn’t just a soundbite. Jones has long operated as one of the most hands-on owners in the NFL-serving as general manager, decision-maker, and the public face of the franchise. And when things go south, as they have this season, he knows the accountability starts with him.
“I take it real serious,” he added. “And more importantly, there is accountability in a very, very big way.
I’ve got to live with when we’re out of money and when we want to sign a player and we don’t have any money left under the cap. I have to live with that.”
The Cowboys’ 34-26 loss to the Vikings last Sunday was more than just another L in the standings. It was a gut punch.
A game that underscored the inconsistencies and missed opportunities that have plagued this team all season. The Vikings came in struggling, but Dallas couldn't capitalize.
Instead, they left the field with more questions than answers-and with their playoff dreams hanging by a thread.
Jones didn’t hide his frustration after the game.
“We certainly didn’t think we’d be here in this kind of shape with three games to go,” he said. “And to have to be behind the eight ball the way we are.
It’s very disappointing. I’m really obviously very disappointed for our fans.
I’m disappointed for these players.”
It’s not like Jones sat on his hands this year. He made moves-adjusting the coaching staff, tweaking the roster-but the results haven’t followed.
The team has sputtered to a 6-7-1 record, sitting second in the NFC East behind the Eagles. And while technically still alive in the playoff race, the odds are microscopic.
Quarterback Dak Prescott had a statistically solid game against Minnesota-completing 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards-but the offense couldn’t find the end zone when it mattered. That inability to finish drives has become a recurring theme, and it’s left fans and analysts alike searching for answers.
One of the most vocal critics this week was Skip Bayless, who didn’t hold back in his postgame reaction. In a widely shared clip on social media, Bayless took aim at both Jones and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
“This is inexcusable from Bozo Jerry and company,” Bayless said. “Schotty... he’s just a guy to me.
A nice guy. Fun to watch occasionally.
And the team really likes him-to a fault-because nobody’s afraid of Schotty.”
Bayless went on to question the leadership at the top, drawing a stark contrast between the current staff and legendary Cowboys coaches of the past.
“There’s no Jimmy Johnson operating there. There’s no Tom Landry operating there.
He’s just a guy in his fifties who never got a shot to be a head coach, even though his father was a very good head coach. ... We don’t have a real head coach.”
Harsh words, but they reflect the growing frustration among a fanbase that’s been waiting nearly three decades for a return to Super Bowl glory.
The Cowboys now turn their attention to the Chargers, who they’ll face Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. It’s a game that won’t mean much in the standings unless a miracle unfolds, but for Jerry Jones and this franchise, it’s another chance to show some fight-and maybe, just maybe, start planting the seeds for a different story next season.
Because in Dallas, expectations never go away. And neither does the accountability.