If there’s one person to blame for the Dallas Cowboys’ nearly three-decade-long championship drought, it’s Jerry Jones. As the owner and general manager, Jones has absolute control over every decision within the organization. And since 1995, the Cowboys have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, despite having all the resources needed to succeed.
Too Much Power, Too Little Success
Unlike most successful franchises, where ownership delegates decision-making to football experts, Jerry Jones runs the Cowboys like a personal empire. He has refused to hire a true general manager, believing that he alone knows what’s best for the team.
The result? A franchise that constantly underperforms, cycles through eight head coaches in 29 years, and still can’t get past the NFC Divisional Round. Coaches come and go, but the one constant is Jones’ interference in football operations.
The Jimmy Johnson Fallout and the Decline of the Cowboys
The last time the Cowboys were dominant was in the early ‘90s, when they won three Super Bowls under Jimmy Johnson. But instead of letting Johnson build a dynasty, Jones’ ego got in the way. Their power struggle led to Johnson’s departure after the 1993 season, and while the Cowboys won another Super Bowl in 1995, they haven’t been back to the NFC Championship Game since.
From that moment on, Jones has prioritized control over winning, constantly making questionable coaching hires, poor roster decisions, and failing to build a sustainable winning culture.
Money Can’t Buy Championships
There’s no denying Jerry Jones is a brilliant businessman. The Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at nearly $9 billion. He has turned the team into a marketing giant, raking in billions through sponsorships, merchandise, and AT&T Stadium.
But here’s the problem: Money doesn’t win championships—football strategy does. And as long as Jones continues to act as the Cowboys’ general manager, they will remain a team that dominates headlines but not the playoffs.
Will the Cowboys Ever Escape Jerry Jones’ Shadow?
The Cowboys will never return to glory as long as Jerry Jones refuses to relinquish control. He needs to hire a real general manager, let football experts make football decisions, and stop running the team based on ego.
Until that happens, the Dallas Cowboys will remain the most valuable franchise in the world—but not the most successful. And for a team that once defined dominance, that’s the ultimate failure.