Jimmy Johnson stirred the pot on Thursday with a social media post that put Jerry Jones back in the spotlight.
The former Dallas Cowboys coach shared an image of his old contract on X, using the language in it to push back against Jones’ version of who held the final say during the Cowboys’ dynasty years. The contract text Johnson posted spelled out broad control over football operations and personnel, including approval over coaches, player moves, and day-to-day authority with the team.
The posted contract language said:
"Johnson shall have the following duties and responsibilities: (1) No assistant football coach, trainer, equipment man or strength coach shall be fired or employed by Employer without the prior approval of Johnson.
(2) Johnson shall have the right of prior approval with respect to acquisition, releasing and trading of all football players of the Dallas Cowboys.
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(3) Johnson shall have complete control of all assistant coaches, players, trainers and equipment men during training, practice, preparation for and the actual playing of games."
Clarence Hill Jr. said the Cowboys were not thrilled with Johnson putting that information out there. The NFL insider reacted on Thursday with a blunt assessment: "The cowboys are not happy with this post," Hill tweeted on Thursday.
Johnson and Jones’ partnership helped define one of the Cowboys’ best stretches. Johnson coached Dallas for five seasons, from 1989 to 1994, and the team won back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1992 and 1993 regular seasons.
The timing also landed in the middle of Dallas’ preseason work. Jones’ Cowboys beat the Seattle Seahawks 17-7 on Saturday in their 2026 preseason opener and still have two more preseason games left before the regular season begins.
Dallas’ remaining preseason dates are August 22, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET and August 28, 2026 at 8 p.m.
ET.
The Cowboys last won the Super Bowl in 1996, and they have not reached the championship game since. They also have not made the playoffs since the 2023 season.
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