This NFL season has been wild, with a lot of drama, fight, sorrow, and a lot more. Most teams dealt with more than just game-day struggles. While the Cowboys have been making noise for both their plays and all the shade thrown their way, they are facing some serious behind-the-scenes issues with the salary cap. But guess what? They are not alone. Other top teams are feeling the heat too. Stephen Jones, the Cowboys EVP, recently dropped some truth bombs about how injuries and cap space are messing with the games.

Stephen Jones got real about the Cowboys’ situation. He said that over 50% of their salary cap—around $155 million—goes to players on injured reserve. Yeah, that’s rough. “Unfortunately, we have over 50 percent of our cap on injured reserve. Those things, when they hit and hit at the wrong time, it makes for a challenge for a team,” he said. And it’s not just Dallas struggling —San Francisco‘s got their own cap chaos going on too.

The 49ers are in the same boat, with $117.5 million of their cap sitting on IR. Jones knows exactly what that feels like. He pointed out that the 49ers’ issues are kinda like the Cowboys’ twin. “San Francisco is another team that’s had their share of injuries this year in terms of a big percentage of their cap sitting on IR,” he explained. Both teams are dealing with a lot. It just shows how injuries can throw a wrench in a team’s plans. No matter how stacked the roster is.

For both the Cowboys and the 49ers, it’s all about rolling with the punches. Injuries happen, but when a large portion of your cap is tied up in players on IR, it makes things harder. It makes everything 10 times harder. As these teams try to figure it out, staying strong and smart with their rosters will help these teams to get back in the mix next season. It’s a test of resilience, and these teams are showing they’ve got it. While Stephen Jones was sharing his sorrow with the 49ers, he brought another team into the picture.

Is Jones’s prediction valid?

While the Cowboys have their own salary cap struggles, Stephen Jones is already eyeing the future, particularly the challenges the Philadelphia Eagles ‘might’ soon face. Jones acknowledged that every team has its own unique battles with the salary cap. But he hinted that the Eagles could soon be in for a rough patch. “Philly will have theirs coming up where they’ll have to make tough decisions,” he said, pointing out. That the Eagles’ current success might not be long-term if they don’t manage their finances properly.

Jones didn’t sugarcoat the reality of managing a salary cap in a league where injuries and high salaries are ever-present. “We’re constantly looking at ways to look at our salary cap to give us the best opportunity with players like Dak (Prescott), CeeDee (Lamb), and Micah (Parsons),” he added. With big names like Trevon Diggs also in the mix, Jones emphasized that the Cowboys’ goal is to keep their star players healthy and give the rest of the teams a run for their money next season. The Cowboys are clearly focused on ensuring their investments pay off, but the Eagles might be facing a similar reckoning soon. Not my words! Stephen Jones’s words.