Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussed his thoughts on a possible retirement. On Tuesday, the latest episode of the documentary series America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys premiered. In it, he revealed why he has never wanted a general manager other than himself.
Jones is a controversial figure. Many of his decisions throughout his career have been questioned. However, his excellent work with the NFL franchise is undeniable. For some, he is a success; for others, they wish he would retire. So, what will he do?
Jerry Jones: A perennial general manager?
According to Essentiallysports, Jerry Jones said in the documentary: “I often asked myself, why don’t I hire a general manager? … I have had people tell me, Jerry, you take so much criticism. You need a buffer. I don’t like it that way. I like the pain.” Clearly, he seeks criticism and embraces the pain.
Jerry Jones in Netflix’s “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” on why he doesn’t hire a GM: “I like the pain.” pic.twitter.com/KgD9L0hDbE
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 19, 2025
However, figures like Dale Hansen have labeled him a “football idiot.” That represents the other side of Jones’ story. Thanks to him, the Cowboys became a global powerhouse, yet his football expertise remains a subject of criticism.
“That doesn’t make him a bad person, but he insists on using his experience in an area where he has none… We have seen the results of that for about 30 years,” Dale added. Despite this, Jones is stubborn and believes he is the best general manager for the team.
The documentary made one thing clear: Jerry Jones will not retire as general manager. He has held the role for 36 years, and when asked about the topic, he replied: “Yes, momentarily… tiny fractions of seconds, I promise.” He plays with the curiosity of those who want him to step down.
He is confident in his position, recently stating: “I do not apologize at all for having the passion to be where I am or for having the background or qualifications… I do not apologize for that at all to my mirror.”
