I'm going to be very delicate with what I'm asking because we all know what's going on with Dak Prescott, and there are things I'm smart enough to know that while a negotiation has taking place. You understand we're saying only a fool talks about their own negotiations while their negotiations are taking place. I would know that from personal experience right now. But I have to ask you, when you talk about looking ahead and looking to the future, how much of that thought process is applicable to your quarterback? Considering what the quarterback market has dictated with everybody from Trevor Lawrence to Joe Burrow to Jordan Love, the list goes on and on, how much does that factor into your thinking? Knowing what the market says it is about the most important position in football, which is the quarterback position.

I'm going to be very delicate with what I'm asking because we all know what's going on with Dak Prescott, and there are things I'm smart enough to know that while a negotiation has taking place. You understand we're saying only a fool talks about their own negotiations while their negotiations are taking place. I would know that from personal experience right now. But I have to ask you, when you talk about looking ahead and looking to the future, how much of that thought process is applicable to your quarterback? Considering what the quarterback market has dictated with everybody from Trevor Lawrence to Joe Burrow to Jordan Love, the list goes on and on, how much does that factor into your thinking? Knowing what the market says it is about the most important position in football, which is the quarterback position.

Well, I'll tell you this, You've nailed it with your question and the ground that you have to cover.

Well, I'll tell you this, You've nailed it with your question and the ground that you have to cover.

Again, that.

Again, that.

Is a long term decision for the Dallas Cowboys. I think Dak one of his unique things is that he's going to be able to his makeup what he is, his skill levels, what.

Is a long term decision for the Dallas Cowboys. I think Dak one of his unique things is that he's going to be able to his makeup what he is, his skill levels, what.

He is as a person, and a.

He is as a person, and a.

Quarterback will age well as you look at quarterback age and viability. I think it will age well as he moves into the next five or ten years of his life. I think he's the kind of quarterback that gets better and better. That we certainly know that time o father time, that it makes a big difference as we get older. But quarterback is a place that that experience can manifest itself and wins. Also the hard times, the mistakes that have been made, if you've got the right kind of makeup, that's a plus. You need rewarded for having gone through that, because you not Steven A I'm pointing to. I'm talking about Dak Prescott. You know how to use a hard time and turn it into an asset.

Quarterback will age well as you look at quarterback age and viability. I think it will age well as he moves into the next five or ten years of his life. I think he's the kind of quarterback that gets better and better. That we certainly know that time o father time, that it makes a big difference as we get older. But quarterback is a place that that experience can manifest itself and wins. Also the hard times, the mistakes that have been made, if you've got the right kind of makeup, that's a plus. You need rewarded for having gone through that, because you not Steven A I'm pointing to. I'm talking about Dak Prescott. You know how to use a hard time and turn it into an asset.

He does that. It's one of his qualities.

He does that. It's one of his qualities.

What so evidence is there of that, though, Jerry, Because I'm thinking about postseason, I know that he's been absolutely phenomenal in the regular season. He wins in September, October, November, the month of December, I think his record is like twenty one and eight, but then January comes the record is four and eight. And last time I checked, when you started here thirty six years ago, it didn't take you long to get a first ring, then a second ring, and then the third ring inside of four years, and the Dallas Cowboys were loaded with a level of success that we still revealed to this very day. At what point do you look at your quarterback and say, when you're gonna give it to me in January.

What so evidence is there of that, though, Jerry, Because I'm thinking about postseason, I know that he's been absolutely phenomenal in the regular season. He wins in September, October, November, the month of December, I think his record is like twenty one and eight, but then January comes the record is four and eight. And last time I checked, when you started here thirty six years ago, it didn't take you long to get a first ring, then a second ring, and then the third ring inside of four years, and the Dallas Cowboys were loaded with a level of success that we still revealed to this very day. At what point do you look at your quarterback and say, when you're gonna give it to me in January.

You're so good, You're so good.

You're so good, You're so good.

No, I mean it, and I appreciate it because you literally have gone through the steps of thinking that I've evolved, not just over the last week's months, but over the years. There is a case where you have to think that something's gonna happen that hasn't happened yet, Otherwise you're sitting right there with everybody else having measured the experience. In that case, I look at his basic great qualities and then I fundamentally see someone that is getting better. I think he got better with Mike with a coach him directly as his offensive coordinator. I think he has improved since the day that he got here if you really want to look at it.

No, I mean it, and I appreciate it because you literally have gone through the steps of thinking that I've evolved, not just over the last week's months, but over the years. There is a case where you have to think that something's gonna happen that hasn't happened yet, Otherwise you're sitting right there with everybody else having measured the experience. In that case, I look at his basic great qualities and then I fundamentally see someone that is getting better. I think he got better with Mike with a coach him directly as his offensive coordinator. I think he has improved since the day that he got here if you really want to look at it.

So you think he was better last year with Mike McCarthy as both the head coach and the play call it than he was when Kellen Moore was his the offensive coordinator.

So you think he was better last year with Mike McCarthy as both the head coach and the play call it than he was when Kellen Moore was his the offensive coordinator.

Well without diminishing our demeaning Kellen. He was definitely better last year. Definitely, and by the way, room to get better, room to grow.

Well without diminishing our demeaning Kellen. He was definitely better last year. Definitely, and by the way, room to get better, room to grow.

I think that's a fact.

I think that's a fact.

The other thing is that he's got last year in his heart and in his framework of reference. He's got that and the disappointments that went with it, some of the positive it went with it. He's got that to use this year physically. Yes, I think he's getting better. I do want to recognize though, that as you get older then some of that is diminished. This is a position, though, that that long term experience can really pay off for you. Now here's the way that I look at it completely is that when you look at what he brings to the table as opposed to the alternative, the alternative is not a one year attorneyve alternative.

The other thing is that he's got last year in his heart and in his framework of reference. He's got that and the disappointments that went with it, some of the positive it went with it. He's got that to use this year physically. Yes, I think he's getting better. I do want to recognize though, that as you get older then some of that is diminished. This is a position, though, that that long term experience can really pay off for you. Now here's the way that I look at it completely is that when you look at what he brings to the table as opposed to the alternative, the alternative is not a one year attorneyve alternative.

It's a several year alternative.

It's a several year alternative.

So when you look at the prospects of the likelihood of him over the next five years knocking on that door, I like those odds, and that to me is where you go you pull the trigger on it. Now, it's very important that we have a way to reconcile this with Dak because we've had the benefit of a lot of supporting cast with Dak over the last five, six, seven years.

So when you look at the prospects of the likelihood of him over the next five years knocking on that door, I like those odds, and that to me is where you go you pull the trigger on it. Now, it's very important that we have a way to reconcile this with Dak because we've had the benefit of a lot of supporting cast with Dak over the last five, six, seven years.

Yes, would you give us that?

Yes, would you give us that?

Yes, I would in a heartbeat.

Yes, I would in a heartbeat.

Okay, So we've had a lot of supporting cast. There's no question that with Dak having been very well paid over the last four or five.

Okay, So we've had a lot of supporting cast. There's no question that with Dak having been very well paid over the last four or five.

Years, one hundred and fifty seven point four million dollars over the last four years, over.

Years, one hundred and fifty seven point four million dollars over the last four years, over.

The last four that's right.

The last four that's right.

There's no question that I got some of that off my credit card. Now, whereas I spun some money that I didn't have very common in the NFL, matter of fact.

There's no question that I got some of that off my credit card. Now, whereas I spun some money that I didn't have very common in the NFL, matter of fact.

In common with you, because that's what you did when you first bought the cap.

In common with you, because that's what you did when you first bought the cap.

Well, it is, it very much is.

Well, it is, it very much is.

But you have certainly I'd like to say I did then too, But I had a passion that I wanted to get involved that I scratched then that I'm not scratching that passion as much right now. I'm trying to be real practical at least in this explanation to you. But the facts are that not only have we had great supporting cast around Dak, we have also spun some of the money that we've got to spend on Dak in the future that went in on his last contracts. That's the way the cap works, and that's usually when you have a high priced quarterback what you do. So we have the challenge of not only recouping what we have spent on him over the last four years, we've got to add that to what we're going to be paying him for the future. Now that's not Dak's problem only in that it's the Dallas Cowboys problem because that money is not going to be there.

But you have certainly I'd like to say I did then too, But I had a passion that I wanted to get involved that I scratched then that I'm not scratching that passion as much right now. I'm trying to be real practical at least in this explanation to you. But the facts are that not only have we had great supporting cast around Dak, we have also spun some of the money that we've got to spend on Dak in the future that went in on his last contracts. That's the way the cap works, and that's usually when you have a high priced quarterback what you do. So we have the challenge of not only recouping what we have spent on him over the last four years, we've got to add that to what we're going to be paying him for the future. Now that's not Dak's problem only in that it's the Dallas Cowboys problem because that money is not going to be there.

To spend on supporting cast.

To spend on supporting cast.

And so we've got to ask ourselves, can we have the kind of success that Dak deserves, we deserve, his teammates deserve, our fans deserve. Can we do that and get in the range to afford Dak? I think we can.

And so we've got to ask ourselves, can we have the kind of success that Dak deserves, we deserve, his teammates deserve, our fans deserve. Can we do that and get in the range to afford Dak? I think we can.

I'm gonna throw some numbers by you. I'm gonna throw it that your direction. From twenty and sixteen to twenty and nineteen, your Dallas Cowboys rank dead last in cash spending, dead last. From twenty two twenty one to twenty twenty three, you're ranked thirtieth. People talk about you today in terms of the trend continuing, because as of mid August last month, you're ranked dead last and twenty twenty four cash spending This is what they say. I wonder when you look at yourself being the brilliant businessman the drug because nobody can deny it. I'm just telling you, I'm gonna I'm gonna editorialize it this moment. Nobody could deny what a brilliant business Don't go I'm gonna go over boy. But I will ask this question, how would you describe yourself as a businessman right now with one of these three.

I'm gonna throw some numbers by you. I'm gonna throw it that your direction. From twenty and sixteen to twenty and nineteen, your Dallas Cowboys rank dead last in cash spending, dead last. From twenty two twenty one to twenty twenty three, you're ranked thirtieth. People talk about you today in terms of the trend continuing, because as of mid August last month, you're ranked dead last and twenty twenty four cash spending This is what they say. I wonder when you look at yourself being the brilliant businessman the drug because nobody can deny it. I'm just telling you, I'm gonna I'm gonna editorialize it this moment. Nobody could deny what a brilliant business Don't go I'm gonna go over boy. But I will ask this question, how would you describe yourself as a businessman right now with one of these three.

Words brilliant, frugal, or cheap?

Words brilliant, frugal, or cheap?

What would you say best describes you as a businessman at this moment in time, in today's n FL climate.

What would you say best describes you as a businessman at this moment in time, in today's n FL climate.

Yeah, that's fair.

Yeah, that's fair.

Uh, that's a very fair, uh, questioned I ask.

Uh, that's a very fair, uh, questioned I ask.

I grew up.

I grew up.

Being taught, uh to have a big front door and a small back door, get a lot in and let as little out as you can. That was fundamental.

Being taught, uh to have a big front door and a small back door, get a lot in and let as little out as you can. That was fundamental.

What I would.

What I would.

Tell you is that if you look at any team in the NFL over a period of time, we spend the same amount of cash we do. We just defer it in different ways or at different times. Now, I don't want to waste my or your time here, but I will tell you there are many ways to try and win a Super Bowl. Many ways sometimes your coach. Your coaches that you've gotten have a preference for this size player. They have a preference for this emphasis on the talent, on the team where it is, formations, all of those kinds of things. So that has to be reconciled with the coaching philosophy and if you will, the coaching techniques that are there at that particular time. The more continuity you can have in that, then the better you can manage the salary cap, the better you can do that. We've had some really good continuity since Dak has been here. We had Jason Garrett and then we had Mike who came in with Kellen Moore over and working more closely with Dak. That is paying all for us, but we really did in Dak's early years because we didn't pay under his initial contract at the level that Dak performed because he was a fourth round draft pick. So by rights, he wants to play, not catch up. He just wants to let's get up snuff, Jerry, and let's go. I get all of that, and I do. We have done that over these last four or five years. We've got our work cut out for us over these next several years to reconcile being able to do what Dak deserves, what he might be able to get someplace else. Well, it's the same time put together a supporting cast around him. That's got to be done with some young players. That can't be done with just cherry picking out here in free agency and getting high priced players running back that you mentioned earlier. I'm a little reluctant to mention names. I'm seeing that it's called tampering.

Tell you is that if you look at any team in the NFL over a period of time, we spend the same amount of cash we do. We just defer it in different ways or at different times. Now, I don't want to waste my or your time here, but I will tell you there are many ways to try and win a Super Bowl. Many ways sometimes your coach. Your coaches that you've gotten have a preference for this size player. They have a preference for this emphasis on the talent, on the team where it is, formations, all of those kinds of things. So that has to be reconciled with the coaching philosophy and if you will, the coaching techniques that are there at that particular time. The more continuity you can have in that, then the better you can manage the salary cap, the better you can do that. We've had some really good continuity since Dak has been here. We had Jason Garrett and then we had Mike who came in with Kellen Moore over and working more closely with Dak. That is paying all for us, but we really did in Dak's early years because we didn't pay under his initial contract at the level that Dak performed because he was a fourth round draft pick. So by rights, he wants to play, not catch up. He just wants to let's get up snuff, Jerry, and let's go. I get all of that, and I do. We have done that over these last four or five years. We've got our work cut out for us over these next several years to reconcile being able to do what Dak deserves, what he might be able to get someplace else. Well, it's the same time put together a supporting cast around him. That's got to be done with some young players. That can't be done with just cherry picking out here in free agency and getting high priced players running back that you mentioned earlier. I'm a little reluctant to mention names. I'm seeing that it's called tampering.

There we go.

There we go.

But my point is that you can't have it all. I was right after I got the Cowboys. I flew over to where I was living, right after announcing I was going to buy the Cowboys, and I flew over on a little leer yet and the car to picked me up, and I had a reporter on that plane with me, and the car that picked me up was a five year old muddy Bronco Ford Bronco, that's the time. And the guy said, this is irrational. It doesn't make sense. You're on a jet, and you fly on a jet that you get off on a muddy fifty five Ford. What's wrong here? And I said, not one thing. You can't have it all the way you get to drive a jet is to drive a five year old muddy fifty five forward.

But my point is that you can't have it all. I was right after I got the Cowboys. I flew over to where I was living, right after announcing I was going to buy the Cowboys, and I flew over on a little leer yet and the car to picked me up, and I had a reporter on that plane with me, and the car that picked me up was a five year old muddy Bronco Ford Bronco, that's the time. And the guy said, this is irrational. It doesn't make sense. You're on a jet, and you fly on a jet that you get off on a muddy fifty five Ford. What's wrong here? And I said, not one thing. You can't have it all the way you get to drive a jet is to drive a five year old muddy fifty five forward.

It's just a question of which way you want to go with you.

It's just a question of which way you want to go with you.

I said, do you have the faith that in this day and agent, I'm not talking about dak here, I'm just speaking in general, this culture of NFL players, the youth that comes associated with it, the times that we're living in. Do you have faith that play is today? Would get that breakdown that message that you just articulated.

I said, do you have the faith that in this day and agent, I'm not talking about dak here, I'm just speaking in general, this culture of NFL players, the youth that comes associated with it, the times that we're living in. Do you have faith that play is today? Would get that breakdown that message that you just articulated.

Oh, I don't know that they would get it when it comes to the rationale when you're talking to them about their money. They may get it when they look at the overall concept of the team, or may get it when you look at the overall players in the NFL. But Steven, when it's your money, my money, your money, we have a little bit less rationale or we have a little bit less tolerance for let me show you a reasonable reason why this isn't going to work. There's not enough to go around to get us both where we want to go. That usually falls on some deaf ears when you're talking about mine in your negotiation, and that's not the issue, but that's one of the issues. There's always time or always a way to make it work. Let's just don't work it on my time. Let's just don't work it on my contract. I get that, I really do get it, and I'm sympathetic about that.

Oh, I don't know that they would get it when it comes to the rationale when you're talking to them about their money. They may get it when they look at the overall concept of the team, or may get it when you look at the overall players in the NFL. But Steven, when it's your money, my money, your money, we have a little bit less rationale or we have a little bit less tolerance for let me show you a reasonable reason why this isn't going to work. There's not enough to go around to get us both where we want to go. That usually falls on some deaf ears when you're talking about mine in your negotiation, and that's not the issue, but that's one of the issues. There's always time or always a way to make it work. Let's just don't work it on my time. Let's just don't work it on my contract. I get that, I really do get it, and I'm sympathetic about that.

But that's just part of what you have to work.

But that's just part of what you have to work.

Is the flip side looking at them and saying, but you are playing for the Cowboys. This is the brand, the number one brand in all of sports. As much as I hate to admit it, Jerry Fir is the number one brand of sport.

Is the flip side looking at them and saying, but you are playing for the Cowboys. This is the brand, the number one brand in all of sports. As much as I hate to admit it, Jerry Fir is the number one brand of sport.

Jerry Dad, I said it for public. You make it the number one brand.

Jerry Dad, I said it for public. You make it the number one brand.

I know, I know you told me that on several occasions. The Cowboys, the star on the helmet, the billion dollar playpen that is at and T Stadium, Jerry's World, as folks affectionately call it.

I know, I know you told me that on several occasions. The Cowboys, the star on the helmet, the billion dollar playpen that is at and T Stadium, Jerry's World, as folks affectionately call it.

Do you believe that that allure.

Do you believe that that allure.

Is something that should come into consideration when you're talking to any player about playing for this franchise?

Is something that should come into consideration when you're talking to any player about playing for this franchise?

Well, I talk it. I certainly do.

Well, I talk it. I certainly do.

And I'm one of the best ambassadors you've ever seen for the Dallas Cowboys and the Star. I can be because I literally sacrificed and gambled what was an idiot move to be involved with the Cowboys. I actually had some money, and I gave it all and then signed up to two or three times that to buy the Dallas Cowboys. So I'm living, breathing person that believes in the Star. In addition to that, because of the way things have gone over the last thirty something years, no one can talk about how good the NFL is for you, or how good and for that matter, of the Cowboys, or how good this game is and how it benefits you. No one has benefited anymore than I have, and so that I am a good practicer of that. And I will tell you that if you will look around the corner a little bit, not all have it right this second, because it's sure wasn't here immediate when I got involved with the Cowboys.

And I'm one of the best ambassadors you've ever seen for the Dallas Cowboys and the Star. I can be because I literally sacrificed and gambled what was an idiot move to be involved with the Cowboys. I actually had some money, and I gave it all and then signed up to two or three times that to buy the Dallas Cowboys. So I'm living, breathing person that believes in the Star. In addition to that, because of the way things have gone over the last thirty something years, no one can talk about how good the NFL is for you, or how good and for that matter, of the Cowboys, or how good this game is and how it benefits you. No one has benefited anymore than I have, and so that I am a good practicer of that. And I will tell you that if you will look around the corner a little bit, not all have it right this second, because it's sure wasn't here immediate when I got involved with the Cowboys.

Matter of fact, most.

Matter of fact, most.

Things I've ever been in my life didn't have immediate killer benefits or killer returns. If you can, as a player, look around the corner a little bit, look years down the road, I think you will see some of the benefits of the Dallas Cowboys. One of the things that I guess I'm the most rewarded by, not proud of rewarded by, is that I'm partners with many of our ex players. I'm partners with players that played here twenty and thirty years ago, and we do things together financially, we do things together to get involved in their careers.

Things I've ever been in my life didn't have immediate killer benefits or killer returns. If you can, as a player, look around the corner a little bit, look years down the road, I think you will see some of the benefits of the Dallas Cowboys. One of the things that I guess I'm the most rewarded by, not proud of rewarded by, is that I'm partners with many of our ex players. I'm partners with players that played here twenty and thirty years ago, and we do things together financially, we do things together to get involved in their careers.

They're my life.

They're my life.

Just like being with anybody twenty years ago, if you had a intense relationship, if you had a great experience, those guys become your buddies. And when they come in and they're a little wounded, buddies help buddies. Or when they come in and got an opportunity, then let Old Jerry get.

Just like being with anybody twenty years ago, if you had a intense relationship, if you had a great experience, those guys become your buddies. And when they come in and they're a little wounded, buddies help buddies. Or when they come in and got an opportunity, then let Old Jerry get.

Involved with you a little way.

Involved with you a little way.

By the way, those same guys, I can't tell you the time they reached out and helped Old Jerry in these last thirty.

By the way, those same guys, I can't tell you the time they reached out and helped Old Jerry in these last thirty.

They swear by you.

They swear by you.

When I have been on a knee, and believe it or not, I get on knee, I do well do many times. Many times I've stumbled, and I've had help from my ex players, if you will. So that's what happens when you spend your life together. Now, that is a fact. I'm not personally gonna be around forever, but that is a fact. So do I try to share that?

When I have been on a knee, and believe it or not, I get on knee, I do well do many times. Many times I've stumbled, and I've had help from my ex players, if you will. So that's what happens when you spend your life together. Now, that is a fact. I'm not personally gonna be around forever, but that is a fact. So do I try to share that?

Do I not share it?

Do I not share it?

But do I try to talk that when I'm visiting with the player about it's better to be here. There's no state income tax in Texas.

But do I try to talk that when I'm visiting with the player about it's better to be here. There's no state income tax in Texas.

I'm fully aware as you.

I'm fully aware as you.

Are well aware of it, and so out in California or anyplace else, and you won't take home as much. All of that has a place. Now, you've got to understand something. I'm sitting here. I've given a lot of my life and I'm going to tell you something. Nobody appreciates what a football player, the things that have gone through him. I know the times when it didn't look good. It happens to everybody. I know the times when you're hurt. I get it all. So I admire the guys that play this game, but I would like for them to enjoy life after football, and the Cowboys enable you to do that. We've got some guys that are good on television. Doesn't just take you baseball players or basketball.

Are well aware of it, and so out in California or anyplace else, and you won't take home as much. All of that has a place. Now, you've got to understand something. I'm sitting here. I've given a lot of my life and I'm going to tell you something. Nobody appreciates what a football player, the things that have gone through him. I know the times when it didn't look good. It happens to everybody. I know the times when you're hurt. I get it all. So I admire the guys that play this game, but I would like for them to enjoy life after football, and the Cowboys enable you to do that. We've got some guys that are good on television. Doesn't just take you baseball players or basketball.

I mean, I beat them up constantly, but I get what you're saying. They're good when they're not going they're going up against somebody other than me because I don't let cowboys beat me.

I mean, I beat them up constantly, but I get what you're saying. They're good when they're not going they're going up against somebody other than me because I don't let cowboys beat me.

And well, let me say this, and I've got that. But also the opportunity is there playing for the Cowboys if you will listen and know how to use it. You got to know how to spread the Cowboy peanut butter on the cracker, and it'll help you down the road

And well, let me say this, and I've got that. But also the opportunity is there playing for the Cowboys if you will listen and know how to use it. You got to know how to spread the Cowboy peanut butter on the cracker, and it'll help you down the road