For decades, Dallas Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones has taken the same approach to running his franchise. That has made him a lot of money, but it hasn't translated into putting together a Super Bowl-caliber roster since the 1990s.
Unfortunately, he refuses to learn from his past mistakes. In fact, Jones refuses to acknowledge them. And, judging by Cowboys insider Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Jerry is about to drop the ball again, as he's not going to even consult with his coaches before making trades.
Jerry Jones Will Cost the Cowboys Again at the Trade Deadline
"Matt Eberflus on his role with the trade deadline approaching: 'Listen to Jerry,'" Watkins wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.
This has been Jones' approach at the trade deadline for entirely too long. Even last season, he imposed Trey Lance on Mike McCarthy in what some people saw as yet another passive-aggressive jab at Dak Prescott.
Eberflus has been under a lot of fire for the defensive miscues, and rightfully so, but this team also has a shortage of talent on that side of the ball. And who would be better to share his thoughts on what he needs to turn the defense around than the guy actually calling the shots on that side of the field?
At least, the controversial business mogul acknowledged that his team is not a contender simply because they played well against the Washington Commanders. That win won't be a big factor in deciding whether Dallas should go all-in or not:
"Just because we played well, all of a sudden everybody thinks, boy, you're in the hunt, so it's time to go out and gather up all of this talent that's waiting around out here on the trees to add to it now that we feel good that we can be more competitive. That's not realistic," Jones said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic.
Jones later said that the Cowboys are in a prime position to be open for business. Then again, they're not going to go after a big-name player -- such as Maxx Crosby -- just because he might be available. It'll be all about the long-term fit.
"What's realistic is that if we do see an opportunity, we are in as good a shape as we've been in in years with (draft) picks, with financial with our (salary) cap, we're in as good of shape as we've ever been if we see a way to improve our team with a player that makes sense today, this year, next year to entertain it and look at it," Jones added.
Of course, that makes perfect sense. With that being said, it is safe to wonder why Jones can't just reach out to his coaches for input. They should know better, and you can't expect different results if you keep doing the same thing over and over.