Stephen A. Smith uses Jerry Jones’ latest comments as final piece of evidence that Cowboys GM needs to go
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has taken seemingly non-stop fire and criticism since January's playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. With the 2024 calendar year entering its final stretch, nothing seems to have changed for the president/general manager except for the volume of criticism.
Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "First Take," NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith called for "somebody else" to run the general management office after Jones' comments on Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, whom the Cowboys failed to sign in the offseason.
"There has never been a sound bite in my estimation that has emanated out of the mouth of Jerry Jones that has indicted himself to such a degree that it made you say even more somebody else needs to be running the franchise," Smith said, "because to say what he said about Derrick Henry literally makes him look like he doesn't know football." (14:57)
Jones' original comments were provided by "First Take" via a clip of "Shan & RJ" on 105.3 The Fan. Here's what he said regarding Derrick Henry.
"Henry is having a career year," Jones said. "I don't know if he'd be having that career year in our situation, and that's really something you really do have to look at... We don't run that type of offense at all." (10:23)
Henry had been connected to the Cowboys for quite some time before the running back ultimately joined the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Instead, the Cowboys settled on Ezekiel Elliott as their biggest running back edition. Elliott has eclipsed 20 yards just once this season.
Exploring why Jerry Jones didn't give Derrick Henry strong consideration
Cowboys fans are scratching their heads as to why Henry is lighting up defenses in primetime and their team is without a seemingly obvious fit. Well, with so many struggles in getting multiple stars to their next contracts and keeping the existing team together, there was little money, time and thought left over for a big new splash in free agency.
At the time, quarterback Trey Lance's rookie contract was also getting paid by the Dallas Cowboys, which weighed down the offensive bookkeeping. According to Spotrac, Lance was guaranteed $34 million in his rookie deal, leaving some of that at the Cowboys' feet following the trade from the San Francisco 49ers.
Of course, for some fans, any explanation is not good enough for a team that needed a running back, underinvested in the position and is now subject to watching Henry dominate in primetime. Will Jerry Jones make it up to fans of Dak Prescott's team in 2025, or even at the trade deadline?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "First Take" and H/T Sportskeeda.