The Dallas Cowboys have made enough changes to make the 2026 season feel different, but the pressure on Jerry Jones has not subsided.
Dallas has added major talent and reshaped its defense after another disappointing campaign. Still, the franchise continues to face questions about who is really responsible when things go wrong. One former NFL star offered a brutally short answer when asked what has held the Cowboys back.
Broncos Legend Delivers Blunt Verdict on Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Control
Denver Broncos icon Mark Schlereth did not need a long explanation when an NFL fan on X asked whether Jones’ ego or ignorance was hurting the Cowboys.
“Mark! Do you think it’s Jerry’s ego or ignorance that is holding the Cowboys back?” was the question.
Schlereth’s response was just three words: “All the above.”
Jones is not simply the Cowboys’ owner. He also serves as the team’s general manager, giving him ultimate influence over personnel decisions, contracts, and the franchise’s overall direction.
This arrangement has remained a major talking point whenever Dallas falls short. The Cowboys have had plenty of star power, yet they have struggled to turn that talent into sustained postseason success.
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The Micah Parsons trade became another flashpoint. Dallas moved its star pass rusher to the Green Bay Packers, with Jones later defending the decision and pointing to the roster pieces the Cowboys could build with the resources gained.
One major result was the addition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension. Dallas also added players such as Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and first-round pick Caleb Downs while changing its defensive leadership, which ranked dead last in PFN NFL Defense Impact%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.).
These moves show that Jones is willing to make major investments. However, Schlereth’s criticism focuses on the power behind those decisions rather than the spending itself.
He has questioned whether Jones’ involvement can undermine the authority of the coaching staff. This issue becomes harder to ignore when the Cowboys struggle, and the same organizational questions return to the forefront.
Dallas allowed 511 points during its previous campaign, the worst defensive mark in franchise history. The Cowboys responded by moving on from Matt Eberflus and changing their defensive structure, giving the team another opportunity to correct its biggest weakness.
The front office also faces another unresolved situation involving George Pickens. The wide receiver remains without a long-term contract, while quarterback Dak Prescott has publicly backed him and urged Dallas to address his future.
For Schlereth, the issue goes beyond any single player or transaction. His criticism suggests that Dallas can keep adding talent without fixing the organizational structure that shapes those decisions.
This puts Jones in an interesting position heading into 2026. He has pushed the Cowboys toward an aggressive approach and made it clear that he wants the team to compete immediately.
Now, the results have to follow.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.