Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed his surprise at the team’s failure to reach this year’s Super Bowl, calling it “a shocker” during an interview with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini at the NFL Honors red carpet event.
Jones, who also serves as the team’s general manager, defended his decision to sign quarterback Dak Prescott to a record-breaking contract, emphasizing that the move was made with the intention of winning now.
“I wouldn’t have signed Dak Prescott, the highest-paid player in the NFL, if now wasn’t when we wanted to win. This is a shocker to be here at this Super Bowl and not have the Cowboys here,” Jones said. “I didn’t plan on that when I made that agreement with him. So we’re going to do everything we can to get there.”
The Cowboys endured a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024, marked by Prescott’s injury, a lackluster free agency period, and the departure of head coach Mike McCarthy.
Jones had previously vowed the team would be “all in” for the 2024 season but failed to deliver on that promise, leading to widespread criticism. The promotion of Brian Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator to head coach further underscored the organization’s conservative approach, raising questions about its commitment to building a championship-caliber team.
Despite the setbacks, Jones remains optimistic about the future. He hinted at taking “some pretty serious risks on talent” and indicated that the 2025 offseason would align with the team’s past strategies. A top priority will be securing a new contract for star pass rusher Micah Parsons, though Jones’ comments suggest the Cowboys may once again delay significant moves until late in the offseason, potentially limiting their ability to compete in free agency.
Jones acknowledged the challenges the team faced in 2024, including an aging offensive line, a lack of investment in the running game, and defensive struggles following the departure of coordinator Dan Quinn. However, he maintained confidence in the team’s direction, even as critics argue that a similar approach could leave the Cowboys watching the Super Bowl from home yet again in 2026.
The Cowboys’ last Super Bowl appearance was in 1996, and their prolonged absence from the championship game has frustrated fans and analysts alike. With Jones at the helm, the team’s ability to break the cycle remains uncertain, but the owner’s determination to return to the pinnacle of the NFL was clear in his remarks.
“We’re going to do everything we can to get there,” Jones reiterated,
leaving open the question of whether the Cowboys’ actions will match their owner’s words in the coming months.
