The Dallas Cowboys are unraveling before the nation, a situation that many—aside from owner Jerry Jones—saw coming before the 2024 season even began.
Despite publicly declaring he was “all-in” for this season, Jones failed to significantly bolster the Cowboys’ roster during the offseason. Key starters and role players from the 2023 squad departed, yet minimal replacements were added. The lack of action made the team’s struggles almost predictable.
Throughout the offseason, the narrative revolved around the futures of the team’s two biggest stars, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. In typical Jerry Jones fashion, contract negotiations dragged on while other teams secured their stars with record-breaking deals. Finally, just days before the season, the Cowboys signed Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension, including $100 million guaranteed and a record-setting $38 million signing bonus. Lamb became the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, trailing only Justin Jefferson.
However, with Prescott now sidelined for the season, the Cowboys have slumped to a 3-7 record following a 34-10 blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night. This marks a sharp decline for a team that entered the season off three consecutive 10-win campaigns.
Concerns About Jerry Jones’ Health Amid Questionable Decisions
Amid the Cowboys’ on-field struggles, Jones’ erratic behavior and puzzling public statements have sparked concern about his health. Earlier this season, he threatened to fire radio hosts who questioned the team’s lack of offseason moves. Later, he went on an odd tirade about sun glare issues at AT&T Stadium.
On Tuesday morning, Jones appeared on a Dallas radio show and delivered a confusing defense of the Cowboys’ performance over the last two decades, despite the team failing to reach an NFC Championship game during that span.
“(Over the last 25 years), we’ve been the sixth-winningest team in the NFL. In the last 15 years, we’re the fifth-winningest team. We haven’t been to the championship playoff game. We haven’t been to a Super Bowl, but we’ve been (hanging) around that rim. And we’ve been up there with the best of them,” Jones said. He added, “The bottom line is that we’ve got to get better. We will get better. There are better days ahead.”
Stephen A. Smith Raises Concerns
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith expressed serious concern about Jones’ mental state during an appearance on First Take.
“I’m not joking when I say this, I’m getting very, very worried about Jerry Jones because the only thing worse than the team’s play is his press conferences,” Smith said. “He says one thing after another after another. It reminds me of Joe Biden before he backed out of running for reelection. Jerry is only a month older than President Biden, for crying out loud.”
Smith drew parallels to his earlier calls for Biden to step back, suggesting Jones’ recent comments raised similar concerns.
While speculation about Jones’ health remains unconfirmed, his decisions and public behavior have drawn increasing scrutiny. Hopefully, these concerns prove unwarranted, and Jones is able to guide the Cowboys back on track.
