Jerry Jones has been criticized for not doing enough to make trades that will help the Dallas Cowboys improve its roster.
Jerry Jones (Image via SBNation)
The Dallas Cowboys have had a rough offseason. Since their first-round exit to the Packers in the playoffs, the team was expected to make big moves during free agency, especially after owner Jerry Jones vowed to go “All-in” to improve the roster. However, the only major move the team managed to make was to sign wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year contract. Unsurprisingly, Jones attracted a lot of criticism from the media for not doing enough.
In a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, Jerry Jones shed light on how the media criticism negatively impacted him. Jones is no stranger to criticism but this time, it appears that it may have gotten to him.
We got criticized in the offseason that we weren't out after the big names in free agency, we were criticized because we had some special or have had some special contracts for some key players...
Jerry Jones said
Jones is referring to CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons, who have entered the last year of their contracts. He pointed out that with the exception of Lamb, Parsons and Prescott have one more year on their respective contracts. This means the Cowboys have time to continue talks and discussions to extend them whereas with Lamb, there was a sense of urgency as the wideout had held out from team activities for a month.
Jerry Jones admits to being hurt by the criticism as he is a people-pleaser
The owner of the Cowboys further pointed out that the criticism got under his skin this time. Jones wasn’t holding back on explaining how he felt.
I'm wearing it on my sleeve a little bit because I actually I am a pleaser. It bothers the hell out of me to really get critiqued...
Jerry Jones added
Jones has taken the brunt of the criticism with the majority of criticism being the Cowboys will not be able to go back to the Super Bowl owing to his decision-making.
Jerry Jones was criticized over his handling of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contract talks in the offseason. (Images via IMAGO)
Prior to CeeDee Lamb signing his new contract, Jones was asked a question regarding the progress of the contract talks with the wideout. The owner responded that there was no urgency to get it done. This statement invited further criticism from the media and fans who believed that Jones was not doing enough to retain his star. Shortly after, Jones clarified that he values Lamb and the two sides were able to get his new deal done.
The offseason has not lived up to the hype as built by Jones. Apart from signing Eric Kendricks, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalvin Cook, there have not been any other notable additions. Jerry Jones is convinced that the Cowboys are entering the 2024-25 season with an improved roster.
Last season, the Cowboys had a good run and secured the top spot in the NFC East but despite their dominance in the regular season, they faltered to a Packers squad led by Jordan Love in his first year as the starting QB. This year, the stakes are higher as it is Mike McCarthy’s last year as the head coach and Dak Prescott’s performance will determine if the team opts to bring him back next season or not.
