The Dallas Cowboys’ latest defensive collapse has reignited scrutiny over Jerry Jones’ grip on the franchise, with Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens arguing the owner must cede football control.
Jones entered the 2025 NFL season insisting Dallas would field a stronger defense. That confidence evaporated quickly after the Cowboys surrendered 28 points in a season-opening loss to the New York Giants.
Owens: Jones ‘selling a fantasy’ to Cowboys fans
Owens criticized Jones following the defeat, saying the owner continues to present supporters with an unrealistic vision.
“It’s the same old same old,” Owens told Get To The Point. “I mean, Jerry Jones is really selling all these Cowboy fans, he’s selling them a fantasy, he’s selling them a dream.”
“He needs to relinquish some of the control that he has with the team and allow some other people to kind of step in place.”
“That’s kind of like a sign of narcissism, in a sense. And at the end of the day, he’s not even really worried about wins and losses.”
Defensive rebuild fails first test against Giants
The criticism followed a performance that made Dallas’ defensive overhaul look uncertain. The Giants repeatedly exposed weaknesses, converting nine of 11 third-down attempts—an 81.8% conversion rate representing New York’s strongest third-down showing since 1978.
Dallas had invested heavily in the unit during the offseason. The Cowboys added veteran pass rusher Von Miller, hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, and brought in Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, Dee Winters, and Rashan Gary.
Despite the personnel influx, Dallas produced only the 21st-best pressure rate in Week 1 despite blitzing at the seventh-highest rate. The defensive struggles placed additional pressure on an offense featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams. Even that star-studded unit could not hide the frailty as Dallas fell 28-20.
Jones’ dual role contrasts with championship blueprint
The situation has renewed attention on how Jones operates the Cowboys compared to when he first acquired the franchise. Decades ago, he worked alongside Jimmy Johnson: Jones handled business matters while Johnson directed football operations. That arrangement helped Dallas win two Super Bowls, but the organization’s structure has since evolved.
Jones has remained deeply involved in football decisions while continuing as owner and general manager—a dynamic critics argue has hampered the franchise. At 83, he has shown little indication of relinquishing control and claims he still has work to do in pursuit of additional Super Bowl success.
“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jones told The Athletic. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
Jones is attempting to close the gap to Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots’ six Super Bowl titles. Doing so would require four more championships—a tall order for a franchise that has not reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season.
