Jerry Jones insists he's changed throughout Cowboys tenure

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has suggested he's made many positive strides from when he bought the franchise back in 1989. 

"I get amused when people talk about this is the same — same old, same old, in reference to my 30 years," Jones told reporters at the Senior Bowl, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "If you had any idea how many ways I’ve changed in 30 years. If you had any idea how many different directions I’ve gone in 30 years. Both in personnel and in coaching. I know I’m sounding defensive, but if anybody thinks they’re looking at the same guy here at the Senior Bowl that was here five years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago, they don’t know how this works." 

To his credit, Jones publicly supported head coach Mike McCarthy both before and after Dallas was eliminated from the playoffs even though to-be Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, reportedly coveted by Jones for years, was available for interviews this offseason. However, Jones also remained a hands-on figure regarding personnel and publicly flirted with signing big-name wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. throughout the fall even though Beckham "wasn't ready to play" coming off the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered last February. 

During his latest comments, Jones took a shot at the San Francisco 49ers while discussing Dallas' lengthy championship drought. The 49ers defeated Jones' Cowboys in the divisional round and have won back-to-back playoff matchups against Dallas. 

"San Francisco and the Cowboys haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 25 years — haven’t won a Super Bowl in 25 years. Understand that. San Francisco’s in the same boat," Jones explained. 

The Cowboys haven't returned to a Super Bowl since they last won one in January 1996. San Francisco, meanwhile, played in the past two conference championship contests and lost Super Bowl matchups held in February 2020 and February 2013. 

In short, pockets of Dallas fans may find themselves yearning for the "same old" Jones if Payton guides the Broncos to a Super Bowl before Dallas next plays on the final Sunday of a season.