DALLAS — Jerry Jones told Zak Keefer of The Athletic that he has not built a succession plan for the Dallas Cowboys and does not intend to, in a story published Wednesday. Jones, 83, has been the general manager since buying the club in 1989, and no one else has held the role in 37 years.
“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jones said. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
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. He has run point on contracts, the salary cap, and personnel for years.
Jones said his son will bite back hard when he has to.
“He’s about as good as anybody I’ve ever been around in giving deference when he should,” Jones explained. “Now, don’t confuse that with lack of intensity. He’ll bite back real hard when he has to. Real hard. He just does it with more grace than I do.”
Keefer reported that Stephen Jones does not like giving an inch and never has.
“With agents these days, you give them an inch and they’ll take a mile,” Stephen Jones said. “If a deal’s within striking distance, Jerry will lose this point and this point and this point and if it gets done, he’ll live with it. It’ll eat at me a little more.”
What Troy Aikman And Darren Woodson Told The Athletic
Troy Aikman is not asking Jones to step aside.
“From my interactions with him, Stephen doesn’t have the ego his father has,” Aikman said. “That’ll serve him well.”
Aikman, the first overall pick of the 1989 draft and the first Jones ran, threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns in 12 seasons. He made six Pro Bowls, was Super Bowl XXVII MVP, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. On Aug. 18 he questioned the Cowboys’ general manager structure in an interview with Dale Hansen.
“I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s gonna feel a lot different,” Aikman explained.
Darren Woodson sees more edge in Stephen Jones than in his father.
“The team keeps making emotional decisions. They keep guys because Jerry likes them personally,” Woodson said. “I don’t think that leash will be as long with Stephen.”
What Jerry Jones Bought And What It Is Worth Now
The Cowboys, bought by Jones for $140 million in February 1989, are now valued at about $15.5 billion, according to Sportico. They won three Super Bowls following the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons. However, Dallas has not returned to the Super Bowl since then, nor has it made the playoffs since losing 48-32 in a wild-card game to Green Bay after the 2023 season.
Nine head coaches have worked under the structure Jones set up. Jimmy 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. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was hired Jan. 24, 2025.
Where The Dallas Cowboys Stand Before The Roster Deadline
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.
Dak Prescott started all 17 games last season and threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. Jones said on Aug. 17 that Prescott can take the Cowboys all the way.
Christian Parker replaced Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator in January. Dallas sent a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay in March for Rashan Gary. Both first-round picks went to defense. Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Aug. 17 and has talked about his snap count in that role.
Dallas is 2-0 this preseason, having beaten Seattle 17-7 on Aug. 15 and Arizona 34-13 on Aug. 22. New Orleans visits AT&T Stadium for the finale on Friday, kickoff at 7 p.m. CT, and the roster has to come down from 91 players to 53 by 5 p.m. CT Sunday, two weeks before the opener at the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. CT on Sept. 13.
