'That’s Not Gonna Get Us in the Playoffs': Stephen Jones Gives Cowboys a Reality Check

Offense remains a reliable element of the team’s identity, but it cannot operate in isolation. The passing attack and playmakers at receiver and tight end have kept Dallas competitive in most games, yet failure to convert possessions into stops has left the club vulnerable in close contests and unable to control tempo late in games.

Coaching and personnel were also placed under scrutiny as Jones and others acknowledged change is required. The staff have signalled adjustments are coming, and the front office is reportedly exploring roster tweaks to strengthen the defensive line and defensive backfield, areas that have failed to deliver consistent pressure and coverage this season.

The schedule offers little respite; upcoming opponents include teams with winning records and potent offences, meaning the margin for error is slim. A bye week could provide time to regroup, but the Cowboys must immediately cut mistakes and shore up fundamentals if they are to climb back into the NFC picture.

Stephen Jones Drops a Reality Check on Dallas Cowboys After Loss to Denver Broncos

Jones recently shared his take on Dallas’ chance to make the playoffs this season. This can be seen in a post shared by Jon Machota on X.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on @1053thefan: “At the end of the day, we’re 3-4-1. We have to be better than that. That’s not gonna get us in the playoffs. We obviously have to change the narrative there. We had one of our top players say we all have to look in the mirror. That starts at the top and goes from our executives to our personnel people to our coaching staff to our players. We all have to be better.”

Jones framed the situation as a test of accountability within the building and suggested optimism must be matched by action. The next several weeks will reveal whether Dallas can translate talk into measurable improvement and salvage a realistic shot at the playoffs.

Despite the stern warning, the organization still believes in its core talent, but the path forward now demands urgent corrections and sustained defensive performance if postseason ambitions are to be realised.