In a season that has gone off the rails, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is grappling with a harsh reality he didn’t see coming – his team’s dismal 3-7 record. The disappointment was palpable as Jones addressed reporters following the Cowboys’ 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night, a defeat that marked their fifth straight at home.
“We didn’t anticipate the record. And the way we’re playing right now, we wouldn’t have anticipated that,” Jones lamented. “But, not, this isn’t — y’all have heard me tell these old stories until you’re sick — but not, you stay in this league long enough, you’ll have times like this.”
A Season of Setbacks
The Cowboys, projected by many to be contenders in the NFC this year, have instead found themselves mired in one of the franchise’s worst seasons in recent memory. Injuries to key players, including quarterback Dak Prescott, have compounded their on-field struggles. Prescott, who underwent hamstring surgery last week, could only watch helplessly from the coaches’ booth as his team fell further into the abyss.
Head coach Mike McCarthy, in the final year of his contract, faces mounting pressure as the losses pile up. But Jones was quick to dismiss the notion that McCarthy has lost the locker room.
“That losing the team stuff, that’s so overblown. These guys are so, first of all, they’re natural competitors. Secondly, they’re so proud of the fact that they are professional and disappointed in maybe the way they executed the play, but that’s not anything that’s brother or first cousin to give up.”
Jerry Jones on his players’ commitment despite the losing streak
Frustration Mounting
For McCarthy, the frustration was evident as he tried to pinpoint the reasons behind the Cowboys’ freefall. “It’s frustrating for everybody. Frustrating for the players, frustrating for the coaches. I know it’s disappointing for the fans,” he said. “But we just, we have a lot of moving parts going on, and we just have to be cleaner and more detailed in certain spots.”
The loss to the Texans highlighted the myriad issues plaguing the Cowboys. A failed fake punt attempt, a costly fourth-down decision, and back-to-back fumbles returned for a touchdown all contributed to the team’s unraveling. Injuries along the offensive line only added to the misery.
Glimmers of Hope
Amidst the gloom, McCarthy tried to strike a hopeful tone. “There is good coming out of this. You don’t see it because we’re not winning games, but there’s young men that are getting an opportunity to do more. And I do believe that will pay forward.”
The Cowboys’ remaining schedule offers little respite, with matchups against the Washington Commanders and New York Giants looming. But McCarthy remains resolute in his belief that the team can turn things around.
“This is it, man. We’ve got seven losses. We gotta go. Backs against the wall. Gotta fight, claw, scratch. Gotta do everything we can to go win the next game. That’s where my mind’s at.”
Mike McCarthy on the Cowboys’ approach moving forward
History Repeating?
For Jones, who has presided over the Cowboys’ highs and lows for over three decades, this season’s struggles are a painful reminder of past trials. He referenced his first year as owner in 1989, when the team managed just a single victory.
But those Cowboys teams of the early 90s were not burdened by the weight of expectations like this year’s squad. They were rebuilding, not expected to contend. The 2024 Cowboys, by contrast, were seen as a potential powerhouse, making their fall from grace all the more stunning.
The Road Ahead
As the Cowboys navigate this unexpected crisis, tough questions loom. Will McCarthy survive the season if the losing continues? Can the team regroup and salvage something from the wreckage? How will Jones respond if the slide persists?
For now, all the Cowboys can do is heed McCarthy’s rallying cry: fight, claw, scratch. They have no choice but to press on, hoping that the resilience and professionalism Jones sees in his locker room will eventually translate into wins.
But the clock is ticking. The margin for error has evaporated. And with each passing week, the specter of a lost season looms larger. The Cowboys’ mettle will be tested like never before in the crucible ahead. How they respond will define not just this season, but potentially the future of the franchise.
