If the Cowboys are an enigma, it’s all because of their owner Jerry Jones! The 82-year-old has loved football his entire life. Jones played football as a teen alongside the famous coach and analyst, Jimmy Johnson. But when he became the owner of the NFL franchise, he was already 47 years old. A pretty long time to have developed a reliance on his own habits. Initially, he had massive success, winning 3 Super Bowls in 7 seasons. The team even lived up to the moniker America’s Team. But since then, the trophies have dried up. Has Jerry Jones’ tenure lived long enough to turn from Dark Knight hero to villain?

Last year, he kept delaying the contract negotiations for WR CeeDee Lamb and QB Dak Prescott until the very end. The receiver didn’t participate in the training sessions. It was one of the things that cost them dearly in the 2024 season, as the team was eliminated from the playoffs. This year, the best LB in the league, Micah Parsons, needs to be signed up to an extension.

On March 5, Jerry Jones revealed that they were talking to the linebacker. And the initial trends indicate they will make him the highest paid player (other than QB position) in the league. But in his signature style, the owner said, “I don’t believe that not signing Dak or not signing Lamb hurt us in free agency last year at all.” Now, this requires serious accountability.

The underlying tension between Lamb and Jones didn’t go away. His touchdowns halved from 12 in 2023 to 6 in 2024. Even the receiving yards fell down from 1,749 in 2023 to 1,194 in 2024. It can be attributed in part to Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury against the Falcons in week 9. Additionally, when the receiver complained of sun glare in the AT&T Stadium in the week 11 game against the Eagles, Jerry Jones basically just said “so?”

That’s how things work at the Cowboys. It’s still the same. But the glare will be moving to the free agency carousel soon.

Jerry Jones reveals his stance on free agency

A few days ago, Parsons requested the owner to be aggressive in free agency pursuits. Cowboys director of player personnel (and Jerry’s eldest son), Stephen Jones, claimed that they will be “selectively strategic and aggressive”. Now, Jerry Jones made a (not so) subtle change to that line and added, “I don’t think aggressive is the right word.”

The Cowboys owner revealed the franchise plans to add players in the draft instead of free agency. They have a huge void to fill after Zack Martin‘s retirement. “I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids,” the Cowboys owner added. They need a solid offensive line.

The fans are waiting for the franchise to add some talented players. The drought is taking a toll on the building. Can they do something about the growing whispers of the America’s Team tag being more deserved elsewhere (read: KC)? This season (30th since their last Lombardi) will be crucial.