Jerry Jones and Derrick Henry (Photos via Dallas Cowboys and Getty Images)
Despite his efforts, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did nothing to make himself look better or smarter in his post-game press conference with reporters after the team’s Week 3 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
After enjoying an impressive winning streak of 16 consecutive regular-season wins (2022 to 2023), Jerry Jones’ Cowboys are now 0-2 at AT&T Stadium to begin the season. The 1-2 Cowboys fell 28-25 at home to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, thanks to a prolific Baltimore ground game that racked up 274 yards.
Derrick Henry powered the way with 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore’s season-saving victory. When asked by a reporter if Henry’s performance made him “rethink” the offseason approach to the rushing game, the Cowboys owner offered a typical Jerry Jones excuse.
“We couldn’t afford him (Henry). Why can’t you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house? We couldn’t afford it. You can’t make that all fit. Simple as that.”
Henry signed a two-year deal worth $16 million with the Ravens in free agency. The two-time rushing champion returned to his All-Pro form after tallying just 130 yards with two TDs over his first two games.
In January, 81-year-old Jerry Jones stated that he would have an “all-in” approach to the offseason. But the Hall of Famer didn’t make a single blockbuster trade or free agent signing while watching key contributors like Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, Tyler Biadasz, Stephon Gilmore, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler Jr. depart for other teams.
Jerry Jones Can Only Blame Himself For Cowboys’ Slow Start
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ disappointing 1-2 start falls on the shoulders of the owner himself.
Jones is the one who retained head coach Mike McCarthy despite a humiliating loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. He waited too late to finish the long-term extensions with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, which caused unnecessary off-the-field distractions before they were completed.
He didn’t do anything to upgrade the roster after losing several of his top performers from 2023. And the excuse about not being able to afford Derrick Henry? Well, that’s Jerry Jones for you.
