The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. With five Super Bowl titles, a massive fanbase, and a brand that transcends the sport, they have a reputation for both excellence and frustration. The team has been a powerhouse in the past, but over the last several decades, they have also experienced extended periods of mediocrity, underperformance, and organizational stagnation. While the team has had moments of success, a deeper look at the Cowboys’ organizational structure and culture suggests that there is a significant issue at the heart of the franchise—one that could be labeled as “organizational rot.”
The Glory Years: 1970s to Early 1990s
Before diving into the notion of “rot,” it’s important to first understand the heights to which the Cowboys have soared. From the 1970s through the early 1990s, the Cowboys were perennial Super Bowl contenders. Led by iconic figures like Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, and later, Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman, the Cowboys were a model of excellence in the NFL. The team embodied professionalism, discipline, and consistency, and they achieved success both on and off the field.
The Cowboys of this era were not only the NFL’s gold standard but also a team that knew how to develop talent, draft well, and manage their roster. The team’s success was built on a cohesive vision and structure. Tom Landry’s leadership and innovative coaching style in the 1970s and 1980s created a culture of success. When Landry was replaced by Jimmy Johnson in the late 1980s, Johnson brought a fresh approach, emphasizing intense competition and a no-nonsense attitude. This shift led to two Super Bowl victories in the early 1990s and marked the high point of the franchise’s success.
Decline and Stagnation: Mid-1990s to 2000s
After the team’s 1995 Super Bowl victory, however, the Cowboys began to experience a slow and steady decline. In the years following the team’s third championship of the decade, internal turmoil began to undermine the once-strong foundation. The firing of Jimmy Johnson in 1994, despite his success, marked the first major rift in the Cowboys’ organizational structure. It revealed an increasing friction between ownership (specifically Jerry Jones) and the football operations side of the franchise.
While Jones’s influence and desire for control over both the business and football sides of the Cowboys’ operation were well-known, his inability to maintain the championship-level talent that Johnson had built became evident as the 1990s ended. The Cowboys began to lose key players, and without a coach like Johnson, who could instill discipline and an unwavering focus on excellence, the team slipped into mediocrity.
The 2000s saw the Cowboys fail to make significant progress. Though there were moments of promise—such as a couple of playoff appearances under Bill Parcells and Tony Romo’s emergence as a star quarterback—the team never seemed to consistently reach the heights it once enjoyed. In particular, the Cowboys’ inability to develop sustained success despite having talented rosters became a hallmark of their struggles.
Jerry Jones’s Influence and Leadership
The central figure in the Cowboys’ organizational rot is, undoubtedly, Jerry Jones. Since purchasing the team in 1989, Jones has been at the forefront of both the business and football operations of the franchise. While Jones has done wonders in terms of the business side—turning the Cowboys into one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world—his approach to football operations has been more problematic.
Jones’s direct involvement in football decisions, including player acquisitions, draft strategy, and coaching hires, has often led to a lack of stability and continuity. His tendency to meddle in decisions that should be left to football professionals has undermined the team’s ability to establish a clear and cohesive vision. The Cowboys’ failure to create an environment where football decisions are made with long-term vision and strategic planning is one of the primary reasons the team has failed to consistently compete for championships in the post-1990s era.
One key example of Jones’s interference is the series of coaching hires made throughout the 2000s and 2010s. While some coaches, such as Bill Parcells, were able to stabilize the franchise for a brief period, others—like Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett—failed to develop the team to championship level. Jones’s decision to hire and retain Garrett for as long as he did (despite mediocrity) is often cited as an example of Jones’s misplaced loyalty and desire for control over the franchise. Garrett, while a respected coach, simply lacked the kind of innovative approach needed to break through and lead the Cowboys to the promised land.
Furthermore, Jerry Jones’s inability to build a consistent and competent front office has further exacerbated the problem. Over the years, the Cowboys have had several general managers, but the most notable (and infamous) is Jones himself. A key part of effective NFL management is creating a clear distinction between ownership and football operations. While Jerry Jones has always sought to blend these roles, it’s become apparent that this lack of separation has negatively affected the team’s overall strategic direction.
Coaching Changes and Cultural Inconsistencies
Another significant issue with the Cowboys’ organizational structure is their inconsistency in leadership, particularly at the coaching level. The team’s failure to maintain a steady and forward-thinking coaching staff has only deepened the rot. When coaches are cycled in and out of the franchise at an inconsistent rate, it prevents the team from building a long-term identity, philosophy, and culture.
From 2000 to 2025, the Cowboys have seen a variety of coaches, each with differing philosophies and strategies, all while Jerry Jones’s vision remained at the core of the franchise. The prolonged era under Jason Garrett, from 2007 to 2019, is particularly notable. Though Garrett was often lauded for his professionalism and calm demeanor, his tenure was marked by frustrating underachievement. With a roster that included some of the NFL’s top stars—players like Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, and Dez Bryant—the Cowboys still failed to capitalize on their talent. Garrett’s tenure, though long, ultimately resulted in no Super Bowl appearances, and it underscored a troubling lack of adaptability and failure to evolve.
In 2020, the Cowboys made a bold move, hiring Mike McCarthy. McCarthy, the former Green Bay Packers coach, was expected to bring the kind of proven success needed to bring the Cowboys back to the top. However, McCarthy’s time in Dallas has so far been marked by inconsistency, and many fans are growing impatient with the results, or lack thereof. Again, the question arises: Has the Cowboys’ leadership structure truly changed, or are they simply repeating past mistakes?
The Curse of Talent
Even when the Cowboys do have a roster brimming with talent, they often fall short in terms of achieving postseason success. This phenomenon is striking because it shows that the problem isn’t just about the players themselves; it’s about how the franchise manages and deploys that talent. The Cowboys have drafted exceptionally well at times, with players like Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb offering hope and promise. Yet, the team consistently fails to take the next step toward a Super Bowl.
One of the primary reasons for this is the organizational inability to properly support and cultivate this talent. The coaching staff struggles to maximize the potential of players, and there’s a lack of long-term planning in terms of player development, mental fortitude, and game preparation. Teams like the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the San Francisco 49ers have demonstrated that organizational consistency, player development, and a well-structured coaching philosophy are keys to success, yet the Cowboys seem to be stuck in an endless cycle of underperformance.
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