Jerry Jones Says It’s Time for Change - But Can He Follow Through?
It’s been 35 years since Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and took full control of the franchise, not just as owner, but as general manager - a rare dual role in today’s NFL. In that time, he’s built a global brand, a billion-dollar stadium, and a loyal fanbase that spans generations. But there’s one thing he hasn’t built in nearly three decades: a Super Bowl team.
Now, for the first time in a long time, Jones is publicly acknowledging that his way of doing things may no longer be the right way. Speaking at the introductory press conference for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, the 81-year-old Jones took a reflective tone - a rarity for the ultra-confident Cowboys boss.
“When you're set up the way I am, that old mirror, that self-evaluation really is appropriate and has to be done,” Jones said. “My way of doing things doesn't work if I don't change.
I'm not successful, then I haven't [changed]. There's no other way.”
That kind of introspection isn’t something we often hear from Jones. He’s long been known for his loyalty to his own instincts - often trusting his gut over conventional wisdom, especially when it comes to hiring and roster decisions. But this offseason, he says, he took a different approach.
Instead of locking in early on a short list of candidates, Jones expanded his search. He sat down with more coaches than usual, and he took a closer look at how head coach Brian Schottenheimer assembled his offensive staff - a process that seems to have left an impression.
“I spent a lot of time looking at the past, when I look at the coaching situation, a lot of times,” Jones said. “I do that on everything, frankly, that I can get my hands on. I’m not trying to be philosophical, but I did less of whatever I’ve been doing [in the past] and a lot more of what I am doing in this process.”
That shift in mindset comes at a critical juncture for the Cowboys. While Schottenheimer’s offense showed real promise in his first year, the same can’t be said for the defense.
Matt Eberflus, brought in to run that side of the ball, never clicked with the personnel. Even a blockbuster trade for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams couldn’t patch the holes, and the unit struggled down the stretch.
Now, Dallas heads into a pivotal offseason with a tight salary cap situation and several major decisions looming. According to Over The Cap, the Cowboys are $29 million over the cap. That’s not a small number - and it’s going to force some tough calls.
One of the biggest financial headaches? The defensive line.
The group is set to cost the team a combined $63 million in base salary, and that’s before any restructuring or cuts. On top of that, they’ll need to figure out how to keep wide receiver George Pickens - a rising star who won’t come cheap.
And this is where Jones’ self-proclaimed change will be tested. Negotiating with star players has never been his strong suit.
His high-profile standoffs with the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Dez Bryant are well-documented. If he truly plans to do things differently, retaining Pickens could be his first big opportunity to prove it.
The Cowboys have the talent. They’ve shown flashes.
But they’ve also hit the same wall, year after year, in the playoffs. If Jerry Jones is serious about turning the page, it won’t just be about hiring a new coordinator or tweaking a few contracts.
It’ll be about changing the very way this team operates - from the top down.
Time will tell if he’s truly ready to let go of the old ways. But for now, at least, Jones is looking in the mirror - and that’s a start.