Cowboys' Jerry Jones Declines to Discuss Mike McCarthy's Job Status After 49ers Loss
Jan 17, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs on Nov 21, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In the aftermath of the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Wild Card game, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy's job status is sure to be a hot topic as the team enters the offseason.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not ready to think about a possible coaching change.
"I don't even want to discuss anything like that at this particular time," Jones said, per NFL.com. "That's not on the table. The game speaks for itself."
McCarthy was asked about his future as head coach of the Cowboys after the game, and he said he feels secure.
"I don’t have any concerns," McCarthy said, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. "I’m proud to be standing here today. I’m proud of my football team."
Dallas played from behind for the entire game in Sunday's 23-17 loss. The Cowboys had a chance to go for a game-winning touchdown on the final drive of the game, but quarterback Dak Prescott failed to clock the ball before time expired. One of the referees took a moment to position the ball after Presott's 17-yard run, and the Cowboys couldn't get it snapped in time.
Jones continued to express his dissatisfaction with Sunday's result, telling reporters it was "Extremely, extremely disappointing. And surprising." He added that he "can't remember" the last time he felt so disappointed.
The Cowboys had the No. 1 offense in the NFL during the regular season, but they were stifled against the 49ers. Dallas totaled 307 yards of offense with just 77 rushing yards. Prescott threw for 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception and ran for another score.
Jones said he felt like his team had the talent to go further in the postseason, and that's what stings the most.
"I think this is a time that when you get this combination of players together, you need to have success, because we all know how it goes in the NFL," Jones said. "The whole thing is set up to take away from the best and add to the ones that need improvement. And I think personnel-wise, we had one of the best."
The Cowboys have not advanced past the Divisional Round of the playoffs since 1995, which is the last time they won the Super Bowl.
Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott Played Through Partially Torn PCL Injury; Won't Need Surgery
Jan 17, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys walks the field prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel
Elliott told reporters following Sunday's playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers that he played this season with a partially torn PCL.
He also said he will not need offseason surgery for the setback.
Elliott dealt with the knee
injury throughout the 2021 season, and the Cowboys considered giving the three-time Pro Bowler some time off to see if it
would help him get closer to full strength, though he didn't feel it
was necessary, per ESPN's Ed Werder.
"It's football," Elliott
said in late November. "You get hurt. You aren't going to be 100 percent. I'm
tough. Play through it."
The 26-year-old Ohio State product was effective despite the injury, tallying 1,289 yards from scrimmage
and 12 total touchdowns across 17 appearances in the regular season.
The Cowboys were forced to work around
injuries to their offensive skill players throughout the campaign, so
they were not in uncharted territory in the backfield when they had to turn toward Tony Pollard at times.
Jalen Hurts in Walking Boot for Left Leg Injury After Eagles' Loss to Buccaneers
Jan 16, 2022
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 28: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on as he walks off the field after his team's loss against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 28, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts spoke to reporters in a walking boot on his left leg after the team's 31-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
The 23-year-old took over as the team's starting quarterback last season down the stretch as a rookie, replacing the beleaguered Carson Wentz, who was then traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.
Hurts also started the first 12 games for the Eagles this year before a left ankle injury kept him out of a Week 13 matchup with the New York Jets.
The Houston native has generally played well when healthy, throwing for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the regular season while completing 61.3 percent of his passes. While those numbers may not leap off the page, he's also rushed for 784 yards and 10 scores, providing a dual threat that has proved difficult for defenses to slow down.
The question in Philadelphia is whether Hurts is the future of the franchise at quarterback—or if he's a solid player who can execute a run-heavy scheme that features his strengths but will struggle to make the tight-window throws that separate great QBs from average ones.
If it's the latter, the Eagles have three first-round picks in the 2022 draft, giving them the ammunition to either trade up for a prospect they like or trade for a more established veteran.
Hurts has probably done enough to buy himself at least another season at the helm, even after a disappointing show against the Bucs, and the Eagles could use those picks to address other major needs on the roster, namely on the defensive side of the ball. For a team transitioning to a younger roster built around players such as DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, it's the biggest decision it faces moving forward.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers Cruise Past Jalen Hurts, Eagles for Win in 2022 NFL Playoffs
Jan 16, 2022
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one step closer to defending their Super Bowl title.
The Bucs handled the Philadelphia Eagles without much drama Sunday, beating them 31-15 behind an efficient Brady performance and a stout defense that held the league's top rushing attack to just 95 yards on the ground.
Instead, it was a Bucs team without Leonard Fournette available because of injury that found success on the ground in the wild-card matchup.
It isn't truly an NFL postseason until Rob Gronkowski finds the end zone.
The game wasn't without its concerns for the Bucs, however, after starting tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) was injured during the game and ruled out. Starting center Ryan Jensen and backup tackle Mike Wells also suffered injuries, though both were able to continue.
But the health of the offensive line will be a major storyline for the team going forward.
Key Stats
Tom Brady, TB: 29-of-37 for 271 yards and two scores
Mike Evans, TB: Nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown
Mike Edwards, TB: Nine tackles
Jalen Hurts, PHI: 23-of-43 for 258 yards, a touchdown and interception; 39 rushing yards
Dallas Goedert, PHI: Six catches for 92 yards
DeVonta Smith, PHI: Four catches for 60 yards
The Bucs Defense Came Out Buzzing
The Bucs defense was as healthy as it's been in quite some time, and it showed Sunday. Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett returned to the starting lineup and contributed in a major way, helping lead a stout run defense.
Brady and the team's offense receive the bulk of the headlines, but Tampa's excellent defense a year ago was just as much a contributing factor in its title run. As that defense gets closer to full strength—cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting ran on the field before the game but wasn't quite ready to return from his hamstring injury—the Bucs' title hopes only improve.
As someone with the Bucs told me before the game, though, this is really one of only a couple times the Bucs have been fully stocked on defense. Pretty good timing, as the postseason begins, to click on defense. https://t.co/kGkKMXPVP3
My hot take is that the Bucs getting healthy on defense is more important to their SB chances than potentially losing great offensive linemen. Brady can mitigate pressure as well as anyone
Ignore the two touchdowns they gave up in garbage time—they had Hurts seeing ghosts Sunday. While they'll face a more experienced quarterback in their next matchup, this defense rounding back into form is a scary sign for the rest of the NFC.
Jalen Hurts Was Poor
Yes, the Bucs defense was good Sunday. But Hurts didn't do his team any favors.
The second-year quarterback had a game to forget. He turned the ball over twice. He overthrew open receivers or didn't see them at all. He looked rushed in the pocket.
The Eagles offense transitioned into a run-heavy attack to get the most out of Hurts' strengths this season, and the Bucs shut that down. Facing a deficit, the Eagles had to become more predictable and throw the ball consistently.
But there were plenty of plays that Hurts left on the field. He didn't look ready for this moment.
Troy Aikman on Jalen Hurts:
“Those throws, they should be pretty simple completions. They just haven’t been.” #Eagles
I thought the Bucs would win and cover. I didn’t think Hurts would undo the general consensus that he deserves to be the starter next season. It’s easy to overreact in the moment, but really, that’s kinda where we are, seems to me.
In the season-long debate about whether Hurts can be the franchise quarterback of the future, his detractors were given a juicy slice of evidence to use against him. The Eagles face an interesting decision in the offseason.
What's Next?
The Bucs are off to the NFC Divisional Round, with their opponent to be determined. Tampa will face the top remaining seed between the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles will begin their offseason preparations for the 2022 season.
Cowboys Rumors: Mike McCarthy Could Be Fired with Disappointing Playoff Performance
Jan 15, 2022
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Mike McCarthy led the Dallas Cowboys to a 12-5 record and the NFC East crown in just his second season with the team, but he reportedly could be coaching for his job during Sunday's playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "may consider a coaching change" if the team doesn't find success in the playoffs.
That is especially the case since offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are generating plenty of interest with multiple head coaching vacancies around the league and may be on the way out if McCarthy stays.
"If this season doesn't end the way Jerry thinks it should, don't be surprised if Kellen Moore is their next head coach much sooner than later," a source told La Canfora. "He does not want to lose him."
This was Moore's third season as the offensive coordinator in Dallas, and La Canfora reported Jones sees him "as essential" to helping quarterback Dak Prescott reach his full potential as the franchise signal-caller.
As for Quinn, he has a notable resume that includes helping lead the Seattle Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy as the defensive coordinator in addition to his time as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
He was on the sidelines in Atlanta from 2015 until he was fired during the 2020 season and reached a Super Bowl there as well during the 2016 campaign.
While the coordinators are intriguing options for other teams around the league, the Cowboys showed drastic improvement under McCarthy by going from 6-10 in 2020 to 12-5 this season. He also has his own impressive resume to fall back on considering he went 125-77-2 with a Super Bowl title as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006 until he was fired in 2018.
His Packers squad made the playoffs in nine of his 13 years as the head coach.
Alas, it apparently might take some postseason success for the veteran coach to keep his job with the Cowboys, which will only serve to dial up the pressure even more as the team looks to defend its home-field advantage against the 49ers on Sunday.
Why the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy Face Huge Pressure to Succeed in NFL Playoffs
Jan 14, 2022
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
The NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys will make their first appearance in the NFL playoffs since 2018 this weekend. They are under a tremendous amount of pressure to make this a successful run, as the team is facing an uncertain offseason—both on the roster and among the coaching staff.
Most prominently, longtime Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might not have much patience left if this group cannot become his first to get out of the divisional round since 1995. Head coach Mike McCarthysigneda five-year deal in 2020, but a disappointing early exit could put him on the hot seat well before that contract expires.
McCarthy will lead his first postseason foray with the franchise, returning to the playoffs for the first time since he reached the NFC Championship Game with the Packers in 2016.
It will be the 58-year-old coach's most important test yet, as dating back toearly in his Packerstenure, he has along historyof making questionable decisions when it comes to stopping the clock, or failing to do so in many cases.
These issues were apparent earlierin the season in a divisional showdown with the Eagles—notablydrawing the ireof Peyton Manning, who was providing insight for the broadcast—and recently came to the forefront again in the season's penultimate contest.
Facing a three-point deficit against the Cardinals late in the fourth quarter, McCarthy had already burned through all his timeouts—including one in the third quarter when Arizona feinted a trick play against Dallas' field-goal blocking unit—before the two-minute warning.
Because of the timeout mismanagement, McCarthy couldn't challenge what appeared to be a fumble by Chase Edmonds with 2:51 left.
The Cardinals went on to win 25-22, a result that cost Dallas a shot to earn the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye.
These are concerning game-management mistakes, especially given the head coach doesn't actually call any plays for the Cowboys. Those duties belong to Kellen Moore and Dan Quinn, the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.
The pairing deserves much of the credit for the Cowboys' turnaround from 6-10 to 12-5, which isn't lost on other teams.
Moore has been a revelation for Dallas since he was hired to be part of Jason Garrett's staff following his retirement from playing in 2018.
The 32-year-old quickly ascended the ranks, rising from a quarterbacks coach in his first year to one of the NFL's most highly regarded offensive coordinators over the last three seasons.
Dallas had the league's top offense this year, racking up an impressive 407.0 yards and 31.2 points per game. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise after the team led the league in total offense in 2019, putting up an average of 431.5 yards per game.
Even in 2020, the Cowboys still ranked in the top half of the league in total offense after losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 5 to an ankle injury and being forced to rely on Andy Dalton for much of the campaign.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Moore isn't likely to stick around much longer.
He's been linked with several clubs as a potential head coaching hire this offseason and seems like a natural fit for those trying to groom a young quarterback prospect. Moore has already spoken with theJaguars, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, and the Broncos recently requested an interview with him, according to 9News' Mike Klis, with more clubs sure to follow.
Quinn, a former head coach with the Falcons, hasreportedlyhelped Moore prepare for the interview process, according to ESPN (h/t the Dallas Morning News' Damon R. Marx).
The defensive coordinator will also audition for at least one team, as theBearsasked for permission to interview Quinn earlier in the week, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
While Quinn isn't as hot of a commodity as his offensive counterpart, the 51-year-old did take Atlanta to a Super Bowl as the team's head coach and won a championship while serving as Seattle's defensive coordinator.
Quinn is heading up a defense that was the NFL's most opportunistic in 2021, securing a league-best 34 takeaways. Those forced turnovers were a key reason Dallas only conceded 21.1 points per game, the seventh-lowest in football.
It would still be a mild surprise if Quinn were tabbed for another head coaching position after his run in Atlanta ended poorly and Dallas ranked a middling 19th in total defense this season, but organizations have shown a propensity to prefer known assets.
With Quinn and Moore potentially landing new gigs soon, McCarthy might only get one shot at a Lombardi Trophy with his current staff.
The Cowboys not only have the play-callers in place needed to win it all this year, but they also possess a wealth of on-field talent to get the job done.
Prescott returned to form after rehabilitating his ankle in the offseason, finishing the year with 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns in 16 starts.
The team found a dangerous one-two punch in the backfield, toning down Ezekiel Elliott's usage—although he still eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on 237 totes—and working in Tony Pollard, who averaged an impressive 5.5 yards per carry on his 130 attempts, more often.
Dallas' receiving corps is one of the NFL's best from top to bottom.
CeeDee Lamb has developed into a legit No. 1 target in his second season, racking up 1,102 yards and six scores on 79 receptions this year. Three other Cowboys pass-catchers—Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz and Cedrick Wilson—all had at least 600 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.
On the other side, the defense has improved greatly after rating among the league's worst last year.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs had a whopping 11 interceptions, outpacing No. 2 ball hawk J.C. Jackson of the Patriots by three picks. Detroit's Amani Oruwariye was the only other player to have more than five in 2021.
Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons has been sensational, recording 84 tackles and a team-high 13 sacks. The potential Defensive Player of the Year earned a remarkable 93.0 pass-rushing grade fromPro Football Focus, the best mark of anyone in that category.
But while the offense is at the height of its powers and the defense has improved, the Cowboys could lose some key talent this offseason, as Randy Gregory—a Pro Bowl alternate who had the second-most sacks on the team in 2021 with six—Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Schultz and Wilson are among the most important of the 23 impending free agents on this roster.
Even with McCarthy making some foolish mistakes during the regular season, there are still plenty of reasons to believe the Cowboys can finally break through and at least reach the NFC Championship Game.
The 2021 Cowboys accomplished a feat none of Dallas' five Super Bowl-winning teams were able to by sweeping the NFC East this year. COO Stephen Jones told K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan it was the "first box to check" on the way to a championship.
Dallas will host the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium in the Wild Card Round on Sunday. The team is 3-1 in playoff games at the venue since it opened in 2009, although the Cowboys only mustered a 5-3 home record this season.
If Moore and Quinn are at their best against the Niners, McCarthy simply needs to manage the clock well and put his squad in the best possible position to advance.
If McCarthy can't stay out of his own way, the Cowboys will have a tough time reaching their potential.
Giants Rumors: Brian Flores Would Have NYG Job 'At or Near the Top of His List'
Jan 14, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins takes the field during introductions prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
It appears former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is hoping to stay on the East Coast for his next coaching gig.
Flores would reportedly prioritize the New York Giants head coaching position "at or near the top of his list," per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Giants owner John Mara also reportedly “respects and likes Flores,” Schultz adds.
Flores, a Brooklyn native, would replace Joe Judge if he were to head to New York. The Giants fired Judge on Tuesday after two seasons. He compiled a 10-23 record.
Flores, meanwhile, was fired by the Dolphins on Monday after three seasons. It was somewhat of a surprise after he had led the team to two straight winning seasons for the first time since the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
The 40-year-old went 24-25 in Miami, and everything appeared to be going smoothly, but things reportedly weren't what they seemed. Before he was fired, Flores reportedly wanted more authority over general manager Chris Grier, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and wanted more people to report to him.
In addition, Jackson reported some players thought Flores was arrogant, had a "bristling personality" and was hard to approach. Michael Lombardi later reported on the GM Shuffle podcast that there was a rift between Flores and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Flores reportedly made it known to Tagovailoa that he would have preferred New England Patriots rookie Mac Jones as his QB.
However, it's important to note that Lombardi has since walked back on those comments via social media.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported there was built-up frustration between Flores and Grier, and team owner Stephen Ross decided to side with his general manager, parting with the head coach instead.
In addition to the Giants, Flores has also been linked to the Houston Texans and is expected to generate plenty of interest around the league. The Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears are also looking for a head coach.
The Giants will not hire a new head coach until they have filled their vacant general manager position, Mara said in a statement earlier this week. The new GM will lead the team's head coaching search.
Cowboys' Amari Cooper Reportedly Fined for Violating NFL's COVID-19 Protocols
Jan 13, 2022
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Philadelphia. The Cowboys won 51-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The NFL fined Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper $14,650 for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols, per ESPN's Todd Archer:
Amari Cooper was fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating the COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players by attending a Dallas Mavericks game last week and not wearing a mask, according to a source.
As ESPN's Jenna Laine reported last June, the NFL planned to levy a $14,650 fine for any unvaccinated player who violated COVID-19 procedures.
Cowboys starting wideout CeeDee Lamb also attended the Dallas Mavericks game with Cooper. He likewise did not wear a mask, but he avoided a fine because he is fully vaccinated.
Per league rules for unvaccinated players, Cooper had to enter a 10-day quarantine in November after entering the league's COVID-19 protocols. He ended up missing games against the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints.
Cooper isn't the only unvaccinated player to get fined this year. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wideout Allen Lazard notably got docked $14,650 apiece for their attendance at a team-sanctioned Halloween party.
The Packers were also fined $300,000 after the NFL reviewed the team's COVID-19 protocols and ruled that Green Bay should have punished both players for their attendance.
Buffalo Bills wideout Cole Beasley has also been fined "in the range of $100,000" for multiple COVID-19 protocol violations, per ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, $14,650 is the maximum fine for a first-time violator. Cooper got the fine after reportedly breaking this protocol:
“A player who is not fully vaccinated is prohibited from attending a professional sporting event unless he is seated in a separated seating section, such as a suite or owner’s box, is wearing PPE, and there are no more than 10 people in that separate seating section.”
Cooper is good to go for the Cowboys' NFC Wild Card Game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The seven-year NFL veteran finished his regular season with 68 catches, 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
John Mara on Giants' 2021 Season Under Joe Judge: Each Week Things Got Worse
Jan 12, 2022
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge walks off the field after a loss to the Washington Football Team during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
One day after Joe Judge was relieved of his duties as head coach, New York Giants CEO John Mara didn't mince words about how bad things got during the 2021 season.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mara had an honest response when asked if this was as bad as things have gotten during his tenure with the Giants.
"Honestly, I would have to say yes," he said. "I kept thinking during the season we had hit rock-bottom—and each week, it got worse."
While there were few highlights from Judge's tenure, he provided multiple new low points over the past two weeks.
Speaking to reporters after New York's 29-3 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 17, Judge went on an almost 12-minute rant during his postgame press conference in which he claimed the New England Patriots coaching staff that he was part of thought it would get fired midway through the 2018 season before the team won a Super Bowl; said he talks to former Giants players about "how much they wish they were still here and they’re getting paid more somewhere else"; and how current Giants players set to become free agents are "in my office every day begging to come back."
In the second quarter of New York's 22-7 loss to the Washington Football Team in the season finale, Judge called back-to-back quarterback sneaks on second and third down from inside the Giants' own 5-yard line.
Judge told reporters after the game those plays were called in order to give the punter more room so that the team "played the field-position situation I wanted to play."
The Giants went 10-23 during Judge's two seasons as head coach. Their 13 losses in 2021 tied a franchise record for most in a single season (3-13 in 2017).
New York's offense ranked 31st in scoring average (15.2 points per game) and passing (188.0 yards per game) this season.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones Says It's 'Unquestionably' Super Bowl or Bust in 2022 Playoffs
Jan 12, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 08: Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones on the field prior to the National Football League game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 8, 2021, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes success this season is only defined by a Super Bowl win.
"Oh, unquestionably. There’s no in between," Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan (via Jon Machota of The Athletic. "… A lot of it has to do with availability of your players. We’re in real good shape right now. So we should be excited."
Title or bust could be a tough standard for an organization that hasn't even reached the conference championship game since the 1995 season.
There is also already a lot to celebrate from the regular season.
The Cowboys finished with a 12-5 record, good enough to win the NFC East and earn their first playoff appearance since 2018. The squad had the No. 1 offense in the NFL in both points scored and total yards from scrimmage.
The defense also made significant strides this year, finishing seventh in points allowed after ranking 28th in that category in 2020.
Of course, this only raises expectations heading into the playoffs, especially after closing the season with five wins in the final six games.
The Cowboys are now mostly healthy after key players like Tyron Smith and DeMarcus Lawrence missed significant time because of injuries, while Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard and others were clearly limited even when on the field.
It should make Dallas a tough team to beat heading into Sunday's wild-card matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Jones is hopeful the squad can win four in a row for the sixth Super Bowl in team history.
