Jerry Jones’ unrealistic expectations are crippling the Cowboys

Fool Him Twice, Shame On Him

The latest proof of how poorly this strategy works came with the Trevon Diggs situation.

When Diggs returned from his torn ACL this offseason, Jones treated it as if the Cowboys had landed an All-Pro acquisition they didn’t already have on the roster.

The front office bypassed several veteran free agents, including Stephon Gilmore, who remains unsigned despite being a former Cowboy and still capable of steady play.

Dallas assumed Diggs’ return would restore their secondary to elite form. Instead, his comeback was short-lived.

He landed on injured reserve again, this time with what the team described as a “concussion suffered at home,” though whispers suggest the real concern lies with the same knee that ended his 2024 campaign.

Diggs’ absence, paired with Dallas’ refusal to add reliable depth, has left the cornerback room vulnerable and exposed, forcing inexperienced players into roles they’re not ready for.

Guys like Kaiir Elam, Reddy Stewart, and Trikweze Bridges are out there fighting for their lives versus top NFL talent after being on their couches a couple of months ago.

That’s the danger of Jones’ mindset: rather than prepare for setbacks, he assumes recovery equals reliability.

It’s a shortsighted approach that has repeatedly burned this franchise, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The Cycle Repeats

Still, Jerry Jones hasn’t learned his lesson.

The owner is now pushing the narrative that DeMarvion Overshown and Shavon Revel will be the cavalry charging in to rescue this sinking defense.

Overshown, the athletic linebacker from Texas, showed flashes of brilliance before tearing his ACL last season.

His instincts, speed, and versatility make him an exciting player, but expecting him to play at full throttle right out of the gate after such an injury is both unrealistic and risky.

Meanwhile, Revel remains a complete unknown at the NFL level.

While the Cowboys have praised his athletic traits and physical style, there’s no professional tape proving he can hold his own against top-tier competition.

Dallas may be hoping for a breakout, but “hope” isn’t a defensive strategy, and it’s certainly not enough to turn the worst defense in football into a contender overnight.

The Final Word

Jones’ constant habit of overestimating his returning players isn’t optimism; it’s negligence disguised as hope.

Every season, the Cowboys convince themselves that getting healthy is the same as getting better, ignoring that real improvement often comes from smart signings, fresh talent, and honest evaluations of the roster’s weaknesses.

As it stands, the Cowboys’ 3-4-1 record and league-worst defense are proof that this philosophy doesn’t work.

Injured players can’t be saviors. They need time, patience, and support, three things Jerry Jones seems unwilling to give.

Until he changes that mindset, “help on the way” will continue to sound more like a false promise than a solution.