The Dallas Cowboys are once again at the center of the debate. Three decades without a championship weigh heavily on the NFL organization. And once again, Jerry Jones stands out as the main culprit. The owner and general manager has made questionable decisions for years, and his latest move could cost the team dearly: trading star Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
Jones claimed his priority was to strengthen the run defense. That’s why he agreed to send Parsons away in exchange for lineman Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. However, reality tells another story. The Cowboys now have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, ranking 30th in both rushing and passing yards allowed per game. Without Parsons, the team has lost its defensive edge, recording only 15 sacks in eight games, the eighth-worst mark in the league.
A broken defense and a directionless owner
According to Athlon Sports, with a 3-4-1 record, Dallas stays afloat solely thanks to Dak Prescott. The quarterback is playing at an MVP-caliber level, throwing 13 touchdown passes with no interceptions over his last four games. Even without his top receiver CeeDee Lamb, who remains sidelined with an injury, Prescott keeps the offense alive.
The #Cowboys defense through Week 6 (pre-MNF):
– 30.7 points allowed per game (32nd)
– 2,470 total yds allowed (32nd)
– 61 rushing first downs allowed (32nd)
– 53.2 third down conversion rate (32nd)
– 71.8 completion % allowed (29th)
– 6.2 yards per play (30th)#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/pmk7YetVhZ— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) October 13, 2025
His leadership has been crucial. While Javonte Williams and George Pickens have stood out, it’s Prescott, wearing number 4, who keeps the attack rolling. Dallas currently boasts the second-best offense in the league, averaging 30.8 points and 404.6 yards per game. Yet, that firepower isn’t enough to make up for the defensive collapse caused by Jones’s decisions.
Meanwhile, Micah Parsons is thriving in Green Bay, with 6.5 sacks and a leading role in one of the NFL’s top defenses. Dallas, on the other hand, now relies on miracles to stay competitive. If Lamb returns healthy and the offensive line holds firm, the Cowboys can continue producing points—but they won’t contend unless their defense improves.
Jerry Jones may have gained first-round picks, but he’s unlikely to ever replace Parsons. Until he admits his mistakes as a general manager, the future of the Cowboys will rest squarely on Prescott’s shoulders—the lone star trying to rescue a franchise trapped in its own history.
