> At a Glance
> – Jerry Jones used a Trump-Venezuela quip to signal aggressive offseason plans
> – Cowboys finished 7-9-1, last title was 30 years ago
> – Jones pledges to “bust the budget” around Dak Prescott
> – Why it matters: Fans endure another long winter, but owner promises rapid defensive rebuild
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones turned heads with a Latin-American political analogy while mapping out a high-spend winter aimed at ending the team’s three-decade championship drought.
Offseason Rally Cry
Addressing reporters on January 7, the 83-year-old GM answered a question about coach Brian Schottenheimer’s role in the looming search for a new defensive coordinator.
> “Trump just said it. I’m running Venezuela,”
> – Jerry Jones
The line drew laughter, but Jones quickly shifted to football business, stressing urgency after Dallas parted ways with coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Salary-Cap Freedom
Key factors fueling Jones’ vow to spend:
- Micah Parsons’ large contract is off the books
- Dak Prescott is still in his competitive prime
- Defense ranked among the league’s leakiest units
> “We want to get out here and basically do better than what we did this year… bust the budget to try to get something done now.”
> – Jerry Jones
Playoff Math
Jones noted that six teams absent from last year’s postseason are in the 2026 tournament, proof a quick turnaround is possible.
| Stat | Cowboys | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Last Super Bowl | 1996 | End 30-year gap |
| Jones’ Titles | 3 | Catch Robert Kraft (6) |
> “My goal in life is to retire as the owner that won the most Super Bowls… I got work to do.“
> – Jerry Jones
Key Takeaways
- Jones vows dramatic spending with new cap space
- Defensive coordinator search begins immediately
- Team eyes playoff bounce after 7-9-1 finish
- 30-year championship anniversary adds pressure
Cowboys supporters will watch this offseason with familiar hope that the checkbook finally buys a return to glory.
