SEATTLE—The 80-year-old owner of the Dallas Cowboys stood outside their locker room Saturday evening before their preseason game against Seattle. He was dressed in a blue suit, light blue shirt, black dress shoes, and had a Cowboy pin in the lapel. This is typical of Jerry Jones. Despite the years that have passed since he bought the franchise in 1989, his passion for the game has not wavered, even though the team has not reached the NFC title game or won a fourth Super Bowl during his tenure. He believes that this team, after two consecutive 12-win seasons, has what it takes to win it all. However, unlike others, Jones does not consider a 12-5 season a failure.
Jones spoke about his belief in the team’s potential, saying, “I know how hard it is to win one of those (a Super Bowl). You shouldn’t give up just because you fall short in a highly competitive league. Just because we haven’t won it in so long doesn’t make what we’ve done meaningless. And I think this year we’re in a better position to win it than we have been in years. We have the team, and we have the quarterback.” Jones has placed a lot of trust in Dak Prescott, who has faced criticism for falling short in crucial playoff moments in recent years. Despite these setbacks, Jones believes that Prescott has what it takes to lead the team to a Super Bowl victory.
Prescott’s performance in big moments has been a topic of discussion, especially in regards to the drive against San Francisco that ended the Cowboys’ playoff hopes last year. The decision to replace offensive coordinator Kellen Moore with head coach Mike McCarthy handling the play-calling duties may have been influenced by that drive. Nonetheless, Prescott remains optimistic about the team’s chances this season and believes that they have worked on improving the details and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. The team is aiming to play faster and put more pressure on opposing defenses, with the addition of deep threat Brandin Cooks expected to help in that aspect.
The Cowboys have struggled in the postseason in recent years, with their last Super Bowl win dating back to 1995. Prescott, who has a 2-4 record in the playoffs, understands the pressure and expectations surrounding him. He is determined to win the Super Bowl and knows that it will require stringing together multiple playoff wins. Prescott acknowledges that it can be suffocating at times, as opportunities like the one he currently has are rare. Nevertheless, he embraces the high standards that come with wearing the Cowboys star and is focused on achieving their ultimate goal.
For more NFL news and insights from Peter King, read his full Football Morning in America column.