With longshot odds at the playoffs rendered astronomical, Jerry Jones discussed what has been an increasingly disappointing season for the Dallas Cowboys.
DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ weekly appointment on the Shan & RJ show on 105.3 The Fan came once again on Tuesday.
In this installment, the owner discussed topics such as the demoralizing last moments loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, if Cooper Rush will remain the starting quarterback, and the future of head coach Mike McCarthy as the mood was more somber after Dallas’ brief two-game winning streak was halted.
Jones opened with a statement about being “very disappointed” but complimented the effort of McCarthy’s team, who is entrusted with players the team wasn’t expected to be counting on. The Cowboys are still giving everything they have, but making excuses based on injuries isn’t justification for what’s happened to the team this season.
The team was playing poorly even when they had something nearing a full complement of their regulars, so apologizing for the coach, and essentially talking himself into bringing McCarthy back, was a troubling way to get into Jones’ headspace to open his interview session on Tuesday.
Jerry Jones on the blocked punt and fumble
“I really reviewed it after the dust had settled, [attempting a block] was not a bad call and was executed on the punt block very, very effectively.” Jones went on to say that the players are coached up and reminded that when a ball is blocked you run from the ball.
There’s nothing wrong with Jones’ thoughts on the play, but it contradicts him mentioning that he would have rather played for a return instead of a block in the heat of the moment last evening.
Jerry Jones’ satisfaction with attention to details
“Extraordinary attention to detail with this team, especially on special teams,” Jones replied when asked about his team’s ability to retain what they’re coached.
Maybe the 3D animated Jones from the Simpsons-themed Funday Night Football snuck into our world and has been watching a different team, but the Cowboys have been incredibly poor with their attention to details all season long.
One of the main weaknesses for Dallas has been their inability to reach a state of being fundamentally sound or disciplined in any way, and they have performed poorly in situational football moments.
Emphasizing the unit that helped lose them the game and calling them “extraordinary” rings very hollow.
Jerry Jones on DeMarvion Overshown’s injury status
“He’ll need surgery on his right knee,” said Jones after the standout linebacker exited the game early in the fourth quarter.
Jones didn’t elaborate on the extent of the injury and added that he wasn’t sure how long the young linebacker would be out or if he’d be ready for next season, but the owner wasn’t upbeat about the diagnosis as another of Dallas’ top players hit the shelf.
Has the playoff door closed?
“I know we needed to win [Monday night], to have what I would call a win-out chance to get in the playoffs. And then we had to have some things happen for us. It was a setback last night.”
Even as an optimist, Jones seems to acknowledge the Cowboys aren’t going to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
Is it time for Trey Lance?
“No, I don’t think so,” Jones said, reluctant to see what he has with the third-string quarterback even as the season continues to go south. “I thought for the most part, we did some good things out there and I still believe [Rush] gives us our best chance.”
It’s hard to understand why the Cowboys won’t play Lance. They made an investment in the young QB, the team has all but faded out of the playoff chase, and if they aren’t going to see what he can do, what was the point in trading for him?
The trade of a fourth-round pick for Lance looks worse every day, and how the organization is handling the situation makes it more difficult to understand.
What’s left for the Cowboys in 2024?
“We’ll have the opportunity to continue to look at these offensive linemen. To get those snaps, those reps, that’s a big deal. That should pay off for us as we go forward because we’ve got three, possibly four young players that will really benefit,” Jones continued on what Dallas can still evaluate in their remaining games this season.
“We’ve got a couple of young receivers that will get the opportunity to get some more attempts and more catches.”
There’s no doubt that the Cowboys need to keep getting the offensive line more snaps and it should benefit the team in the long term.
Is the McCarthy return talk a surprise?
“Not surprising at all,” Jones said, as the cooling of McCarthy’s hot seat in the final season on his contract warmed back up with a gaffe-filled effort on Monday. “[McCarthy] wouldn’t be in this job if he didn’t have the credibility those endorsements reflect. He’s a heck of a head coach in the NFL and he’s got the skins on the wall to prove it. We have never felt that we’re backing in with McCarthy as head coach.”
Jones added that Dak Prescott’s endorsement for McCarthy will play a large role in the decision.
Nevertheless, it would be difficult to call the Cowboys a serious franchise if they bring back McCarthy as the coach. It’s that simple. McCarthy has had his shot and the team continues to experience the same issues. Retaining him would mean that the franchise is stuck going nowhere.
Finally, Jones did mention that he hasn’t said he would bring McCarthy back, but it does sound like it’s no longer a given that McCarthy won’t be coaching in Dallas in 2025 and beyond. That can’t make many Cowboys fans happy.
Do you think the Cowboys should be eyeing changes with 2025 in mind? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
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