The Cowboys’ 2024 season ended like an overcooked brisket at a Texas BBQ—all smoke, no fire. For a franchise that hasn’t sniffed a Super Bowl since Friends dominated NBC’s Thursday lineup, the 7-10 collapse left fans angrier than a bull in a rodeo chute. Enter Stephen Jones, Jerry Jones’ straight-shooting son, who stepped into the spotlight this week with a message as bold as a ten-gallon hat.

The Cowboys’ 2024 season unraveled faster than a cheap spool of fishing line. Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury in November was the knockout punch. Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Zack Martin (retired) ate up (almost) 46% of the salary cap while sidelined. “Trying to think the best way to say this, but I’m not making any excuses,” Stephen Jones mused…

“At the end of the day, no excuses, but when you have the injuries we had, it’s difficult,” Jones conceded on February 24. Translation? Even the world’s most valuable sports franchise can’t survive on a roster missing $110 million worth of talent. But while Dallas hoops, Jones shifted focus to football’s core issue.

Accountability. “That [injuries] makes it hard. And we’re gonna obviously look at everything we do. In terms of how we go about making this team better, how we improve the roster and you always look for ways to improve, and that’s what we’re gonna do,” he said, sidestepping excuses like Emmitt Smith juking defenders in the ‘90s. Now, remember the Herschel Walker trade that built the ‘90s dynasty?

The 2023 gamble on Trey Lance was… not that. Acquired for a fourth-round pick, Lance threw one interception in four games and now eyes free agency. “We think the world of Trey,” Jones said, but with Dak’s $240 million deal, backups must come cheap. Enter Cooper Rush—4-4 as a starter but priced out of Dallas’ budget. Solution?

Jones wants a rookie QB: “They always go so much higher than what you think.” Meanwhile, new coach Brian Schottenheimer isn’t rebuilding—he’s reloading. “I feel like we’re kind of ahead of the curve,” he said, banking on continuity. But with Micah Parsons eyeing a megadeal and Osa Odighizuwa’s contract looming, Jones must juggle egos and cap space.

“Selectively aggressive” in free agency? After last year’s dud, fans ain’t buying the hype. Still, Jones insists: “We expect to have success next year.” Meanwhile, fans are not staying mum and Jerry’s son had a message for them too.

Top Comment by Robcoser1

As long as Dak is QB. They aren’t going anywhere. He is not a top tier QB. They should of...more

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Jones’ anti-apathy musing for fans

Stephen Jones didn’t sugarcoat it. “I want them [fans] to have emotion. I mean, apathy’s what you don’t want, and certainly we understand the emotion involved… 7-10 is not acceptable from our viewpoint,” he said, referencing the Cowboys’ worst record since 2015. He leaned into the frustration, “We want our fans to love our team.” Looking back at the season, he ravelled…

“Certainly you know the record we had last year and our postseason lack of success, if you will. I understand that completely. I want them to be emotional about that and we have to be better,” Stephen admitted. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones’ 2024 “all in” pledge became a punchline when stars like Derrick Henry skipped Dallas. This time, Stephen vows smarter moves.

“Every year is its own year,” he said, hinting at draft-day steals. But the clock’s ticking. Since their last NFC title game in 1995, the Cowboys have become America’s Drama Team—all sizzle, no steak. Besides, the Cowboys’ 2025 blueprint mixes grit and gambles.

Fix the injury curse. Draft Dak’s understudy. Keep Parsons happy. For fans, it’s another offseason of hope—and heartburn (let’s just hope it’s not). As Stephen Jones said, “[They] deserve to be critical and emotional about it.” But if Dallas fumbles again?

Well, as Friday Night Lights preached: “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” Right now, Cowboys Nation’s eyes are bloodshot, and hearts are heavy. And the ball? In Jerry’s court.