A recent report has brought to light significant issues within the Dallas Cowboys’ front office that derailed what was initially a promising 2024 season. The friction between team owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen Jones, who also serves as an executive, appears to have played a key role in the team’s struggles.
The report, described as highly critical, highlights the stark differences in how the Joneses approach team finances. The 82-year-old Jerry Jones reportedly has an aggressive, no-limits spending philosophy, while his 60-year-old son Stephen takes a more conservative approach akin to Billy Beane’s “Moneyball” strategy. According to the source, Stephen prioritizes cost-effective deals and has a strong aversion to “dead money”—unusable cap space tied to past contracts.
A longtime Cowboys executive noted the inconsistency caused by these contrasting philosophies, saying, “Sometimes Jerry wins, and sometimes Stephen wins. It creates a very erratic environment.” The executive elaborated that the team’s indecisive approach undermines its potential. “If you’re going to commit to a Moneyball strategy, stick to it. You can’t throw massive contracts at players like Dak Prescott while neglecting other parts of the roster. It’s an inconsistent and chaotic way of operating,” they added.
The lack of a cohesive financial strategy was reportedly evident during the offseason. While Jerry Jones expressed a desire to adopt an “all-in” approach to improving the roster, Stephen and his allies advocated for restraint. This internal push-and-pull led to delayed decisions on key player contracts, including quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Their extensions were finalized later than expected, which some analysts suggest hampered the team’s overall preparation and cohesion.
The results on the field reflected these issues. The Cowboys finished the season with a disappointing 7-10 record, extending their drought without an NFC Championship appearance—the longest in the conference. Adding insult to injury, their NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders, flourished with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and are now two wins away from a Super Bowl appearance.
In the aftermath of this underwhelming season, the Cowboys parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy, making them one of four NFL teams searching for new leadership. The season’s outcome marks yet another year of frustration for a franchise that has gone three decades without a Super Bowl title. Critics argue that the NFL may have outpaced the Jones family, leaving the Cowboys stuck in an outdated operational model.
This latest report underscores the need for the Dallas Cowboys to address internal dysfunction if they hope to return to championship contention. Without a unified vision for the team’s future, their path back to success remains uncertain.
