Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of Dallas Cowboys, still holds a glimmer of hope. Through all of this, their positivity shows, all while managing the unfortunate record of 6-7-1 to date. Speaking to reporters, Jones said the key was making sure they are competitive. At this event, he doubled down on his commitment to laying the groundwork for maximizing success. His optimism speaks to what he and the coaching staff feel like they’ve accomplished since the start of the year.
Jones went back on his wish to retain Micah Pickens, talking about the adversity that player has surmounted. That’s because Pickens has only caught eight passes for 70 yards in the Cowboys’ last two losses. This sudden shift in play has alarmed fans and pundits across the league. Still, Jones is optimistic, hoping for the best for Pickens as he makes his way through these challenges.
In a conversation with NFL reporter Todd Archer from ESPN, Jones shared his thoughts on first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. He voiced high praise for the way Schottenheimer led and the fundamentals he put in place for this young team. Jones says they are cornerstones the Cowboys will build around.
Jones wants everyone to be smart and resilient this season. To explain how getting through that adversity can ultimately make a team more resilient, he referenced former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin. Irvin had major arthroscopic surgery during his second season with the Cowboys. That experience, she told us, left an indelible mark on Jones.
“I’m sad for Micah. That’s quite a challenge. I wish him the very best on his recovery. I always use what Michael Irvin said when he had his big surgery during his second year with the Cowboys. He said he realized what football really did mean to him. He said the surgery really launched him to the best parts of his career because he got to feel what it might be like to not play again. Micah, I wish you the very best.” – Jerry Jones
Jones even conceded the truth of ESPN’s star talking head Stephen A. Smith referring to the Cowboys’ season as a failure. He rebutted that perception by living the truth of the NFL — winning is what matters. He said, “A victory is gold in the NFL and that’s because it’s so hard to win. And a win is important to me. And a win is so much more than just a pivot point. I don’t care when it happens.” This quote is indicative of his philosophy that even one victory can make a world of a difference for a team’s confidence and focus.
The Cowboys have their eyes on tomorrow. They currently have the 14th and 23rd picks in next year’s first round of what promises to be a deep draft. This is a crucial opportunity for targeted, high-value additions to an improving roster. Jones’ dedication to holding onto his most important recruits aligns with his long-term vision. The option of deploying a franchise tag on Pickens as late as 2026 further stresses this commitment.
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