Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys for most of his adult life.
The NFL owner bought the Cowboys heading into the 1990s. He’s owned America’s Team for more than 30 years. The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the ’90s, but haven’t sniffed one since.
The Cowboys are hoping to contend in 2026. Dallas missed the playoffs in 2025, but had one of the league’s best offenses. The Cowboys have made some serious improvements on defense, highlighted by the selection of former Ohio State Buckeyes star Caleb Downs.
© Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Eventually, the Cowboys are expected to be led by Jerry Jones’ son, Stephen Jones. However, there’s not an official succession plan in place.
Jerry Jones has made it clear that his departure from the Dallas Cowboys will be abrupt and unexpected.
The 83-year-old told The Athletic that one day, he just won’t be here.
Jones admits no one will see his departure coming
Jones made it clear that he’ll keep running the Cowboys until his body gives out, essentially.
“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jerry said. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
Jones bought the Cowboys for $140 million in 1989. He’s admitted that he’s optimistic about his son as a leader.
“He’s about as good as anybody I’ve ever been around in giving deference when he should. Now, don’t confuse that with lack of intensity,” he said. “He’ll bite back real hard when he has to. Real hard. He just does it with more grace than I do.”
But it’s not something either one is hoping for anytime soon.
“We certainly don’t wanna think about that,” Stephen said of the Joneses not owning the Cowboys. “We don’t want it to be that way.”
