There are many words that could describe the Dallas Cowboys’ current state, but only one truly captures it: undisciplined.
The root of this issue runs deep, beginning at the very top and spreading through the entire organization—a problem that has plagued the team for decades.
Consider the late 1990s, after the core of Jimmy Johnson’s team that won three Super Bowls had either retired or moved on.
In A Football Life: Troy Aikman, there’s a clip showing Aikman criticizing the Cowboys’ coaching under Barry Switzer, an early sign of the issues at hand.
The starting point was Jerry Jones’ infamous remark about “500 coaches” after the Cowboys’ second-straight Super Bowl win over Buffalo.
That undisciplined moment likely cost the team at least two more Super Bowl titles, and it is with Jones himself that the rot begins.
All Hat and No Cattle
There’s a familiar saying in Texas: “That boy is all hat and no cattle.” This could easily be the tagline under any listing of Jerry Jones as the Dallas Cowboys’ General Manager.
Since Jones’ ego pushed Johnson out, and Jones’ hand-picked players took over, the Cowboys haven’t won much of significance.
Divisional titles have come now and then, but true greatness in the NFL is defined by postseason success. Since their 1995 Super Bowl win, they haven’t even won a single divisional round game. This stark reality is a reflection of Jones’ tenure as GM.
A Bad Record
Jones’ decision-making leaves much to be desired. His overall drafting track record? Mediocre at best—a “C” grade, boosted only by occasional hits. As they say, even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.
His record on trades is worse. Take the 2018 Amari Cooper trade, one of his few successes, which he still managed to fumble. After extending an injury-prone Michael Gallup, he traded Cooper for a fifth-round pick that ended up being insignificant.
In the draft, he passes on strong picks, only to later refuse to sign those same players in free agency out of stubbornness. Remember Derrick Henry? He’s leading the NFL in rushing this year. Saquon Barkley, also available, is second in rushing. Jones, however, claims Henry “wouldn’t have fit” in Dallas—yet both have outperformed the Cowboys’ entire rushing offense this season.
An Undisciplined Front Office
A disciplined GM would see that his approach isn’t working, admit it, and make corrections. However, the Cowboys lack a disciplined owner to hold the GM accountable, and so Jones continues down the same path.
Jones overpays for players he values, even when competing against himself, while undervaluing others who should be retained, such as Anthony Hitchens. He also repeats past mistakes without learning from them.
More recently, his lack of discipline was evident when he threatened to fire radio show hosts for questioning his decisions. There’s been no apology, nor has anyone in the front office stepped up to say he was wrong. This silence only reinforces the culture of complacency under his leadership.
That culture of undisciplined decision-making extends even to AT&T Stadium’s design. No one in the organization pointed out the potential issues with having a west-facing wall of windows, causing blinding sun glare on the field during games.
No Accountability On The Field
The undisciplined approach isn’t just confined to the front office; it’s evident on the field as well. After a loss to the 49ers, Trevon Diggs confronted a reporter over social media criticism, showing more fire there than he did in the game.
Tyler Biadasz committed three holding penalties against the Giants earlier this season, then complained about the calls. Micah Parsons seems more interested in his podcast than in his career on the field. And now, with Dak Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL, he appears more focused on his new house and endorsement deals than on team performance.
Over the last 25 years, the Cowboys have been riddled with mistakes and unnecessary errors that reflect a lack of discipline in their culture. The accumulation of these issues explains why Dallas has gone nearly three decades without a championship.
Fixing the Problem
The absence of discipline is ingrained in the Cowboys’ culture today, and this toxic environment is holding the team back from a Super Bowl return. The source of this culture begins at the very top.
The ideal solution would be for Jones to sell the team, allowing new ownership to bring in a fresh GM with the power to overhaul the organization—perhaps keeping only a handful of players by the 2026 season.
Since this is unlikely, an alternative would be for Stephen Jones to convince his father that it’s time to pass the reins, enabling a new GM to correct course. Otherwise, fans may have to wait for natural circumstances to bring change and hope that Stephen Jones won’t be as stubborn.
The solution lies in new ownership, a revamped front office dedicated to discipline, and a demand for accountability from coaches and players alike. Eventually, this shift will happen. Until then, Cowboys fans are left to endure, hoping for that eventual return to glory. Unlike Jerry Jones, we know discipline—and we know we’ll see the Promised Land someday.
