The Musers The Podcast: "Cowboys Weekly - We Need To Talk About Jerry, Again"

Date: March 5, 2026
Hosts: George Dunham, Bob Sturm, special guest Craig "Junior" Miller

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing saga of Dallas Cowboys ownership and management under Jerry Jones, especially addressing the perennial question: Can the Cowboys win big again under their current structure? With NFL free agency approaching, George and Bob dissect Jerry’s statements from the NFL Combine, the Cowboys’ spend-and-save paradox, their patterns in player acquisition, and the prospects for tangible change. Special guest Craig Miller joins for a compelling discussion on organizational accountability and the elusive search for hope in Jerry’s Dallas.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys Financial Power vs. Player Investment

(starts ~02:00)

• The Cowboys Are an NFL Financial Juggernaut:

  • According to the latest Forbes data, the Cowboys generated over $1.2 billion in revenue last year, valued at $13 billion, outpacing the nearest team by roughly $400 million annually.
  • Their operating income is unrivaled, mainly due to extravagant use of AT&T Stadium (“Death Star”) for varied events (concerts, monster trucks, etc.) and their state-of-the-art practice facility.
  • “So they make $400 million more than any other team. And that’s every year, by the way, guys.” — Bob Sturm, 05:33

• But They’re NFL’s Least Aggressive on Player Spending:

  • Over the last six years, Dallas has spent just $54 million in free agency — dead last in the league; the 31st team, Baltimore, spent $74 million. On a per-player basis, Dallas spends just $3.4 million/year.
  • “They make the most money and they spend the least money in the entire league.” — George Dunham, 07:50

• Fans Are Charlie Brown to Jerry’s Lucy Each Offseason:

  • Despite yearly promises of being “all in,” actual aggressive roster moves remain rare.
  • The hosts recall “all in” proclamations that amounted to “horse hockey.”

2. Jerry Jones Speaks at the NFL Combine

(Jerry Audio at 08:13, Discussion ~09:58-12:07)

• Jerry sidesteps the “bust the budget” question, emphasizing he may “borrow from the future” but coupling that with caveats about opportunity.

  • “...the only way to push more is for me to go borrow some of my future. OK. Expect me to go borrow some of my future.” — Jerry Jones, 08:27

• Breaking Down the “Borrow from the Cap” Philosophy:

  • Bob explains: Unlike credit cards, reallocating cap space year-to-year in the NFL is essentially an “interest-free loan,” made smarter by the league’s expanding cap.

• Reflection:

  • “So, if you have a window where you can win now, you are not only smart to acquire better players, but you are also smart financially to pay against a bigger cap.” — Bob Sturm, 11:21

3. Cowboys’ Reluctance for Big Free Agent Moves

(13:10-16:53)

• The Last True “All-In” Move Was Decades Ago:

  • The last time Dallas truly swung big was Deion Sanders in the mid-90s; more recent “big” signings (T.O., Leonard Davis) now feel ancient.
  • “So Dak Prescott’s about to start his 11th season... Name the best player the Cowboys EVER went and signed on a Dak Prescott team. ... I think you might end up with Randall Cobb on a one year, $5 million deal.” — George Dunham, 14:12-14:40

• Organizational Philosophy:

  • The hosts connect this historical pattern to a lack of urgency and culture of “waiting for rookies to develop” rather than supplementing the roster with proven NFL veterans.

• Super Bowl Blueprints:

  • Both teams in last year’s Super Bowl were among the top spenders in free agency, refuting the notion that “you can’t help yourself in free agency.”

4. Offseason Targets & Trade Ideas

(18:11-25:34)

• Upcoming League Calendar:

  • “By Wednesday (March 11) it’s possible a lot of the big business will already be done.” — George Dunham, 18:11

• Trade Speculation & Stephen’s Pick:

  • Bob is intrigued by a hypothetical Max Crosby trade (but worries about the draft pick cost).
  • George proposes Minka Fitzpatrick (nickel/safety hybrid) as a top realistic target, arguing he fills a key schematic need and might be attainable for a Day 2 or 3 pick.

• Other Names Floated:

  • Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship (in free agency).
  • Alontae Taylor (hybrid defender, but pricier), Devin Lloyd (LB — if Jacksonville doesn’t pay up).

• “If the Cowboys go get [Devin Lloyd] next Monday, we’ll know how serious they are.” — George Dunham, 24:12

5. Special Guest Segment: Craig “Junior” Miller Joins

(28:09–55:35)

Topic: Can the Cowboys Ever Win Again Under Jerry’s Structure?

• Craig’s Challenge:
  • “Both of you have said to me... It cannot work the way it is structured with the Cowboys, with Jerry being the owner and general manager... So, here we are in 2026... Do you both believe that it cannot ultimately work the way it is structured at the Star?” — Craig Miller, 28:54-30:38

Rich Discussion Ensues:

• George’s Response:

  • Points to “human tendency” to change approaches when a system repeatedly fails, but Jerry has doubled down for decades.
  • “He has really dug in, in some level of stubbornness that, no, I’m going to prove that this way can work, even when it’s obvious to us that it doesn’t seem to work at all.” — George Dunham, 31:32

• Bob’s Take:

  • Despite management flaws, assembling the right head coach and QB could overcome even Jerry’s meddling.
  • “If you have the right guy as head coach and he puts together a dynamic staff... I don’t think Jerry could even mess that up.” — Bob Sturm, 33:49

• Accountability Void:

  • Cowboys cycle coaches, but never cycle GMs — Jerry is un-fireable. If a “real” GM had produced these playoff results, he'd have been fired 5-8 times.
  • “He gives [coaches] three years, four years, five years... Imagine if he had had somebody as general manager. ... He probably would have gone through five or six.” — Craig Miller, 41:18

• The Forbes List Is Jerry’s Super Bowl:

  • George argues Jerry’s real competitive obsession is annual revenue dominance; the Super Bowl matters, but not most.
  • “I kind of think his Super Bowl is the Forbes list. ... At the end of the year, have I made more money than any of my competitors? Well, then I’ve won.” — George Dunham, 44:12-45:00

• Stephen Jones and the Future:

  • Will things change post-Jerry? Parallels to NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz and how dramatic change only followed his passing.
  • “There’s a really good chance [Stephen] would do things completely differently. But for now, he is in lockstep with so much of Jerry’s thought process...” — George Dunham, 48:01

• Does Jerry’s Age Change His Approach?

  • Jerry is now 84; the hosts ponder if that will finally prompt real urgency, but doubt it—pointing to a lack of action in recent “all-in” years.
  • “He’s been winning the Forbes Super Bowl every year. So, I don’t know. ... That was not the actions of a guy who felt any urgency about the future at all.” — George Dunham, 51:33-53:34

6. Listener Q&A

(57:23–64:21)

• Draft Trade-Down Scenarios & Positional Value:

  • Debated dropping back from pick 12 to gain extra Day 2 picks, since the draft’s premium talent may not match positional needs.
  • “Maybe this is a great year to trade back.” — George Dunham, 60:51

• When Will Dallas Address its QB Future?

  • With Dak in his 11th year and no top-2-round QBs drafted since Quincy Carter, the hosts say there’s little urgency until Dak's window closes. Use current three-year window “to squeeze everything they can” out of current roster.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “So they make $400 million more than any other team. And that’s every year, by the way, guys.” — Bob Sturm, 05:33
• “They make the most money and they spend the least money in the entire league.” — George Dunham, 07:50
• “I want you to know that the only way to push more is for me to go borrow some of my future. OK. Expect me to go borrow some of my future.” — Jerry Jones, 08:27
• “If you have a window where you can win now, you are not only smart to acquire better players, but you are also smart financially to pay against a bigger cap.” — Bob Sturm, 11:21
• “Dak Prescott’s about to start his 11th season... I think you might end up with Randall Cobb on a one year, $5 million deal.” — George Dunham, 14:12-14:40
• “Both of you have said to me... It cannot work the way it is structured with the Cowboys, with Jerry being the owner and general manager...” — Craig Miller, 28:54-30:38
• “He has really dug in, in some level of stubbornness that, no, I’m going to prove that this way can work, even when it’s obvious to us that it doesn’t seem to work at all.” — George Dunham, 31:32
• “If you have the right guy as head coach and he puts together a dynamic staff... I don’t think Jerry could even mess that up.” — Bob Sturm, 33:49
• “I kind of think his Super Bowl is the Forbes list... At the end of the year, have I made more money than any of my competitors? Well, then I’ve won.” — George Dunham, 44:12-45:00

Conclusion

This episode is a classic Musers blend: pointed Cowboys insight, signature wit, and raw honesty. The hosts reveal how the Cowboys remain a paradox: the NFL’s wealthiest operation, but one that chronically underinvests in talent and accountability. With Craig Miller’s guest appearance, the conversation turns existential—has hope for change become its own Cowboys tradition? With free agency looming, fans are once again left to ask: Is this finally the year Jerry “goes all in,” or is the status quo just too profitable to ever risk?

For Further Listening:

• “Cowboys fans are Charlie Brown, Jerry is Lucy—every offseason.”
• “The real Super Bowl for Jerry is the Forbes list.”
• “We’re just playing the odds, hoping someday the numbers pop up and football immortality returns to Dallas.”

(End of summary. Timestamps listed for all major segments and quotes.)