DALLAS — Jerry Jones has been the general manager of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989. Nobody else has held the title in the 37 years since.
Troy Aikman was the first overall pick of the draft Jones ran that spring. Three Super Bowl titles followed over the next seven seasons. The last of them came after the 1995 season.
Speaking with Dale Hansen on Dallas Dialogue with Dale, Aikman said Jones knows why the Cowboys won in the 1990s, and that the reason was every player in the locker room believing Jimmy Johnson was the one calling the shots.
“Well, I think that teams and organizations, whether it’s sports [or] business, I think it all does start at the top. Good or bad. I think it starts at the top,” Aikman said. “I don’t think Jerry would shy away from that. I think Jerry would certainly take responsibility. He’ll take accountability if and when they win, and I think then you have to take responsibility when it hasn’t worked out. And it hasn’t worked out.”
“The interesting thing is, I’ve heard Jerry say that the reason he hasn’t hired a general manager is because there are no guarantees and no one can guarantee him that making a change at GM and replacing himself would guarantee that they would be any better,” Aikman continued. “If that’s your philosophy, then you would never fire the head coach either. You would never make any changes because there are no guarantees whatsoever.”
The Job Jerry Jones Has Never Given Away
Jones holds the owner, president, and general manager titles at once. His son, Stephen Jones, is the club’s chief executive officer and executive vice president.
Nine head coaches have worked under that structure. Johnson lasted five seasons and won two Super Bowls. Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and Mike McCarthy followed. Brian Schottenheimer was hired Jan. 24, 2025.
The Miami Dolphins hired Aikman as a consultant on New Year’s Day to advise their general manager search. He sat in on the in-person interviews. Miami hired Jon-Eric Sullivan, previously vice president of player personnel with the Green Bay Packers.
Where The Cowboys Stand Under Brian Schottenheimer
Dallas went 7-9-1 in Schottenheimer’s first season and finished second in the NFC East. The Cowboys allowed 511 points, the most in the NFL and the most a Dallas defense has ever given up. Opponents gained 6,409 yards, including 4,276 through the air.
Dallas hadn’t had back-to-back losing seasons since the 5-11 finishes of 2000 through 2002.
Christian Parker replaced Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator in January. A 2027 fourth-round pick went to Green Bay in March for Rashan Gary. Dallas used both of its first-round picks on defense.
Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Monday. Miller spent last season in Washington and said on a podcast that he has 10 to 15 plays a game left in him.
Dak Prescott started all 17 games last season and threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. Jones said Monday that Prescott can take the Cowboys all the way.
Dallas last reached the postseason after the 2023 season and lost 48-32 to Green Bay in the wild card round.
Aikman threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns across 12 seasons, made six Pro Bowls, and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He raised the same subject with the Dallas Morning News in February 2025.
The Cowboys hold a joint practice with New Orleans on Tuesday. Dallas plays its second preseason game Aug. 22 at Arizona and closes the preseason Aug. 28 against the Saints at AT&T Stadium. The regular season opens Sept. 13 against the New York Giants.
