Jerry Jones Haunted by One of His Worst Decisions: A Legacy Missed
Jerry Jones, the iconic owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has made a name for himself as one of the most influential and controversial figures in NFL history. With three Super Bowl victories to his name, Jones has achieved what many owners can only dream of. Yet, despite his successes, one decision looms large as a misstep he can’t seem to shake: letting head coach Jimmy Johnson leave the Cowboys.
The split between Jones and Johnson, which occurred in 1994, remains one of the most famous in NFL history. Johnson had led the Cowboys to two consecutive Super Bowl victories, and the team was in prime position to become a dynasty. But after a series of disputes between the two, particularly over credit for the team’s success, the relationship soured. Jones, known for his strong personality, believed he could replace Johnson without losing momentum. The decision to part ways, however, proved costly.
For years, Jones downplayed the impact of Johnson’s departure, insisting the Cowboys were still in good hands. Indeed, the team did go on to win another Super Bowl under Barry Switzer in 1995, but the aura of dominance that Johnson had helped build began to fade. What followed were years of inconsistency, playoff disappointments, and frustration. Johnson’s meticulous team-building through the draft, including the trade for Herschel Walker that set up the franchise for success, had been foundational to their success. Replacing a mastermind like Johnson proved far harder than Jones anticipated.
In 2021, Jones made a rare emotional admission during a press conference. When asked about the fallout with Johnson, he responded, “I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about how I let that happen.” It was an uncharacteristically vulnerable moment for a man known for his unshakable confidence. This moment of reflection also led to the long-overdue decision to induct Johnson into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, a symbolic act that acknowledged Johnson’s crucial role in building the franchise.
The Jones-Johnson breakup remains a “what could have been” scenario for Cowboys fans and for Jones himself. Had they stayed together, it’s widely believed that the Cowboys could have won several more championships. Instead, the team has spent decades trying to recapture the magic of the 1990s, with Jones still chasing the glory that he once had in his grasp. The decision to let Johnson go haunts Jones, a reminder that sometimes, even in the cutthroat world of the NFL, relationships and team dynamics matter as much as talent and strategy.