As the Cowboys head to Oxnard for training camp this week, that ’90s glory of three Super Bowls (between 1989-1995) feels ancient. Thirty years without even an NFC Championship appearance has worn thin. Jerry Jones himself admits he’s thought about stepping away in those “small fractions of seconds” during tough times. Now, with another camp opening at the River Ridge Staybridge Suites, the pressure’s back. Moreover, Dallas’s legend is pushing America’s Team to end this drought.

Longtime Cowboys voice Michael Irvin shifted the focus to Jerry Jones on the July 23 episode of his podcast. “He fights the media on as opposed to reaching towards his peeps is his 30-year drought,” Irvin quipped. Undoubtedly, Jones has built the Cowboys into the most valuable franchise, but the poor show just needs to be over. Jones bid adieu to Mike McCarthy and handed over the reins to Brian Schottenheimer. Despite his bold moves, Irvin believes he is missing something critical: a connection with loyal fans.

“That fan base hasn’t tasted the championship in 30 years. Yes. Just say that. Just say yes,” Irvin said. “That hurts you. That makes you mad that you don’t like that. Just say that it’s okay.” Irvin is pushing for accountability, not branding. He wants Jones to acknowledge the fans. “Just let them know. We got the greatest fan base in the world. And do I feel like we’ve, and we certainly have come up short, and that’s on all of us, starting with me, starting with me.” Irvin’s comments strike the right note.

Jones was recently asked how it felt to let down fans for nearly three decades in a feature clip on CBS’s Instagram page. His response was firm. “If I sat around and dwelled on the past and the negatives, then I couldn’t even get the front door,” Jones said. He insisted he is focused on “looking up” rather than “looking back.” For many, the answer had true emotions of Jones. Irving pointed out, “You’ve done a good job right now, moving forward. We’ll see how this thing happens, but it’s okay.” Definitely, the season will speak for itself.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys watched the playoffs from home. Both NFC East rivals, the Commanders and Eagles, advanced. Adding sting to the moment, ex-Cowboys coaches lead both teams. The Commanders are guided by Dan Quinn, a former Cowboys defensive coordinator. Kellen Moore now calls plays in Philadelphia.

While Jones insists he is pushing forward, the league is watching what feels like a slow unraveling. The Cowboys have become the cautionary tale.

Is Jerry Jones jeopardising the championship?

Jones seemed to have found himself caught up in intense contract battles this offseason. First on the list is Micah Parsons, who is the core of the Cowboys’ entire defensive identity. Since 2021, Parsons has racked up 52.5 sacks and 112 quarterback hits. He has finished among the top five in pass-rush win rate every year since entering the league. Despite that dominance, he is still on his rookie contract while peers like Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have crossed the $40 million per year threshold.

Parsons showed up for training camp without actually doing much work. The new hold-in trend lets players like him stay present without risking injury. Jerry Jones thanked him for attending, a move straight out of the public relations playbook.

At the same time, the Cowboys have growing concerns about Trevon Diggs. According to team sources, the front office has become frustrated with his absence from team activities. Diggs chose to rehab in Florida rather than work with the Cowboys’ medical staff. Jerry Jones addressed the issue bluntly. “We expect a player paid like Trevon to be here all the time. We expect him to be leading. That’s not new…You’ve got to have some leadership about you,” he said during a live press conference.

These internal tensions raise questions about the Cowboys’ direction. Instead of addressing their stars’ concerns, the front office added James Houston. Cleveland waived the edge rusher after appearing in four games last season. He recorded no sacks and made little impact. He now joins the Cowboys to fill depth following Luiji Vilain’s injury.

It’s about how leadership communicates value. Parsons is still waiting for a deal that reflects his worth. Diggs faces public criticism from ownership. And in response, the front office adds a journeyman rusher. For a team with championship ambitions, these moves have a low probability of panning out.