The Dallas Cowboys have long been one of the NFL’s most media-driven franchises, widely known as “America’s Team” thanks to their massive fan base and the highest valuation in the league.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is one of the most controversial figures in the NFL, often making headlines for his statements and bold decisions involving the franchise. This offseason, there were several claims that the team would make aggressive moves, but none of that materialized, prompting insider Mike Florio to call out Jones for failing to deliver on what was promised.
Florio Calls Out Jones For Lack of Aggressive Moves This Offseason
The strategy employed by the Cowboys this offseason has been questioned by several analysts, largely due to comments made by team owner and general manager Jerry Jones regarding the plans for building the 2025 roster.
After a quiet free agency period, there was growing anticipation that Dallas would take a more aggressive approach during the NFL Draft, and Jones himself hinted that the Cowboys were prepared to make significant moves, including potential trades, but none of those materialized.
Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones indicating that Dallas isn’t done in the trade market and outside deals are in the works:
“We’re looking at two things that could happen before or after the draft. Two pretty substantive trades. Been working on today.”
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) April 22, 2025
Despite securing a well-respected draft class, Florio criticized Jones for once again claiming the franchise would head in one direction, only for the execution to take a completely different turn.
“Fans and media have begun to wake up to the notion that Cowboys owner and G.M. Jerry Jones is more carnival barker than trophy chaser. It’s not about winning, it’s about being interesting. And he always finds ways to be interesting,” Florio wrote.
The perception that Jones prioritizes headlines over truly building a competitive team stems from the pattern of using media statements to spark discussion and tell fans what they want to hear, even if the execution follows a different, often more conservative path — which wouldn’t be a problem if that was previously said by him.
Florio continued his criticism by pointing to Jones’ earlier claim that the Cowboys were working on substantial trades that could take place before or shortly after the draft, suggesting it may have been nothing more than a smokescreen to distract the media.
“It may have been exactly what we thought it was: An attention grab at a time when people were paying attention to things other than the Cowboys. And it worked. He created a headline. Made a stir. And then failed to deliver. Maybe it’s still coming. Maybe he’ll find the right time to give everyone an update. Even if there’s no update,” Florio added.
In 2024, the Cowboys were plagued by multiple injuries, including a significant one to quarterback Dak Prescott, who had just signed a record-setting contract averaging $60 million per year. Prescott was sidelined after only eight games, and the team struggled in his absence, finishing with a disappointing seven-win season.
This season, under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys aim to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since their last championship in the 1995 season. But for that to happen, owner Jerry Jones and the front office will need to provide a clearer direction for the team’s strategy and reduce the negative spotlight surrounding the franchise.