INDIANAPOLIS — During an hour-long discussion on the state of his Dallas Cowboys, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday he’s let the fans down when it comes to the 30-year Super Bowl drought.
“Yes, I do,” Jones said while sitting comfortably on the team bus. “I know that my way of addressing it, which would be just what we’re sitting here talking to you about, is the best way to correct it. The thing that I would want our fans to know, is how much input that I have into what goes on when they see a ball snapped or a play and how much third-party input.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the media in his annual combine press briefing that he’s let the fans down by not winning another Super Bowl since the 1990s. pic.twitter.com/1HTMlTsMuv
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 28, 2026
The last Super Bowl title for the Cowboys occurred Jan. 28, 1996. It was Super Bowl XXX. At least 14 different organizations have won Super Bowls since, including the Rams while representing two different cities, Los Angeles and St. Louis.
Cowboys
New England, Kansas City, Denver, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, the New York Giants and now Seattle have won multiple titles.
Pass rushers DeMarcus Ware (Denver) and DeMarcus Lawrence (Seattle) won titles after leaving the Cowboys. Tom Brady won a title for two different franchises.
But Jones is not deterred.
He pointed out he’s open to change. He said the club doesn’t have time for redshirt players in the draft because the defense was so bad last year.
He’s looking for impactful players on the defense and isn’t high on taking a chance on a player coming off injury or having a troubled background as in the past.
Jones even wants to spend more in free agency, saying, “I would bet that we would spend more money in free agency than we have [in previous years].”
A few years ago, Jones said he was “all-in” and now he’s ready to “bust the budget” to win a fourth Super Bowl title during his time as owner.
Jones is even avoiding any public spats with players and agents in contract talks.
While he’s in contract talks with receiver George Pickens, he dismissed any potential issues with his agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents Micah Parsons, a player Jones approved trading to Green Bay.
At 83 years old, Jones isn’t fooling around. When the 2025 season ended, Jones said he desired becoming the NFL owner with the most Super Bowl titles. Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots has won six.
Kraft had the reputation of staying out of the way and letting Bill Belichick rebuild the Patriots, which led to a dynasty.
Jones’ own dynasty, three titles in the 1990s, is partially fueled by conflict between him and Jimmy Johnson.
But now, as Jones settles into an offseason with the youngest defensive coordinator in franchise history, Christian Parker, he’s ready to push this franchise back into title contention.
“I have a reputation out of ‘We’ll get that guy, we’ll do that, we’ll do that,’ it’s the opposite of that,” Jones said of the perception he’s making all the decisions without taking the advice from others in the front office or coaching staff. “Anybody that’s been around me, anybody, Jimmy, [Bill] Parcells as far as any coaches, can’t talk to [the late] Larry [Lacewell] of course. You talk to some of those guys (current coaches and front office personnel), I scrap the floor trying to get some information to make the best decision that we can.”
Last year was such a difficult time for the Cowboys, who thought some of the offseason moves made would work.
Jones said he’s got a better appreciation for slot corner Jourdan Lewis, who left in free agency. He became open to the hire of a younger coordinator, particularly on defense, because Jones leaned toward former head coaches in the past.
When a Super Bowl title is evading you for three decades, it’s time to rewrite the mission statement.
“Hats off, it’s highly competitive, other clubs have done better,” he said. “I got my you-know-what kicked when I said the other day I wanted to win Super Bowls. Well I certainly, I really can’t accept just the fault of winning one Super Bowl. And then what? I got more time on my clock than that in my mind.”
Twitter/X: @calvinwatkins
Cowboys defensive coordinator’s first project? Second-year corner Shavon Revel
Christian Parker, Cowboys leadership are bullish on Revel’s potential.
Dallas Cowboys are officially placing the franchise tag on WR George Pickens
The Cowboys can continue to negotiate a long-term deal with Pickens, their leading receiver from 2025.
NFLPA survey: What grade did Brian Schottenheimer receive after first year as Cowboys HC?
The NFLPA’s 2026 report cards were made public Thursday in a report from ESPN.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.