Daily News 19

Tag: Stephen Jones

  • Jerry Jones’s Cowboys Succession Plan Has a Sad Ending, Leaving Son Stephen in a Difficult Situation

    Jerry Jones’s Cowboys Succession Plan Has a Sad Ending, Leaving Son Stephen in a Difficult Situation

    Jerry Jones has made clear that he has no plans to step away from the Dallas Cowboys anytime soon. At 83, the longtime owner intends to remain involved for as long as he is able, creating an unusual succession challenge for his son, Stephen Jones.

    Jones purchased the Cowboys for $140 million in 1989 and transformed the franchise into one of professional sports’ biggest commercial forces. Dallas is now valued at approximately $15.5 billion, according to Sportico, while Jones continues to hold the uncommon combination of owner, president and general manager.

    “I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jones told The Athletic. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”

    Despite acknowledging that he has “no succession plan,” Jerry Jones has already positioned the person most likely to inherit significant control. Stephen Jones has spent decades preparing for greater responsibility, overseeing contracts, personnel and salary-cap strategy.

    Stephen has become one of the most influential figures in the Cowboys’ front office while working alongside his father and developing his own approach to running the team. Eventually, he will have to follow one of the most recognizable and influential owners in NFL history.

    Stephen Jones could usher in a different Cowboys era

    Former Cowboys stars Troy Aikman and Darren Woodson both expect Dallas to look noticeably different once Stephen becomes the organization’s primary voice.

    “I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s going to feel a lot different,” said Aikman.

    The Hall of Fame quarterback believes Stephen’s lower-key personality could work in his favor. Unlike his father, Stephen does not appear to seek the same level of attention, a quality Aikman believes could benefit him.

    Woodson anticipates another potential change. The former Dallas safety believes Jerry’s personal relationships with players can sometimes influence football decisions, giving certain veterans more room than they might receive elsewhere.

    He expects Stephen to be less forgiving when difficult decisions must be made. That difference could become increasingly important when Stephen eventually takes charge, as he may be more likely to base decisions strictly on football and financial considerations rather than sentiment.

    Such an approach could change how the Cowboys handle contracts, roster turnover and personnel decisions. However, Stephen’s biggest challenge may have little to do with football operations.

    Jerry Jones has been the face and voice of the Cowboys for almost 40 years, making his eventual absence impossible to overlook. He has also rejected suggestions that the franchise could simply be sold, despite occasional speculation about outside investors.

    The Cowboys are expected to remain within the Jones family, giving Stephen the opportunity to put his own stamp on the team. The transition, however, could be sudden.

  • Jerry Jones and Son Stephen Jones Nearly Came to Blows Over Two of the Cowboys’ Most Important Decisions

    Jerry Jones and Son Stephen Jones Nearly Came to Blows Over Two of the Cowboys’ Most Important Decisions

    Some of the most consequential decisions in Dallas Cowboys history were made during heated confrontations rather than calm discussions around a conference table. On at least two occasions, disagreements pushed Jerry Jones and his son Stephen into arguments that became deeply personal—and, in one instance, physical.

    The first clash came in 1995, when Jerry Jones was determined to sign Deion Sanders despite Stephen Jones’ concerns about the financial impact. Nearly 20 years later, another major dispute erupted when Johnny Manziel remained available in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

    Both incidents exposed the central fault line within the Cowboys organization: Jerry’s desire to pursue bold, headline-making moves versus Stephen’s willingness to challenge him when he believed the risks were too high.

    Deion Sanders signing led to physical confrontation

    According to The Athletic, the argument over Sanders became so heated that Stephen shoved his father against a wall.

    “You really gonna do this?” Stephen shouted, pressing his arm into Jerry’s chest. “What are you gonna do, hit me?” Jerry responded.

    Jerry ultimately got his way. Dallas signed Sanders to a $35 million deal, and the star cornerback helped the Cowboys win the Super Bowl later that season.

    The confrontation also confirmed something Jerry had already begun to understand about Stephen: his son was not going to agree with him automatically.

    Johnny Manziel sparked another explosive Cowboys argument

    That dynamic resurfaced during the 2014 NFL Draft. Manziel had fallen to Dallas at No.16, giving Jerry the chance to select one of the country’s most famous and polarizing quarterbacks.

    Stephen opposed the move and helped guide the Cowboys toward Notre Dame guard Zack Martin instead. Jerry was furious over what he viewed as a conservative decision.

    “I hope you’re happy,” Stephen remembers his father telling him that night, face red, jaw clenched. “You don’t do special things in life, I would have never bought the Dallas Cowboys, making middle-of-the-road decisions. And what you just did is down the middle. You’ll never be great.”

    The years that followed strongly supported Stephen’s position. Martin became a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the best offensive linemen of his era.

    Manziel, meanwhile, played only two NFL seasons. He appeared in 14 games, throwing seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

    Jerry and Stephen Jones’ power struggle shaped the Cowboys

    The Sanders and Manziel episodes illustrate why the relationship between Jerry and Stephen Jones has never been a straightforward hierarchy. Jerry’s decision to pursue Sanders was vindicated almost immediately, while Stephen’s opposition to Manziel proved equally important.

    That tension between bold ambition and calculated restraint has helped define the way Dallas has operated for decades.

    “There’s a belief that sometimes Stephen is part of the mistakes Jerry makes,” former Dallas mayor and longtime Jones family friend Mike Rawlings said. “There’s also the belief that sometimes he saves Jerry’s ass.”

    The Cowboys have made many controversial decisions under the Jones family, but these two moments stand out because the disagreements came so close to boiling over.

    One gamble helped produce a championship. The other decision helped Dallas avoid a potential disaster. Both confrontations left a lasting mark on the franchise.