Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounds off on criticism for lack of free agency moves and contract delays - "It bothers the hell out of me"

Jerry Jones fired back at the criticism the owner has received for the Cowboys' business, or lack thereof, during the offseason, and especially during the free agency. The crux was the criticism that they let Tony Pollard leave without bringing in a veteran running back in free agency and instead chose to sign Ezekiel Elliott, whom Jerry Jones himself had allowed to leave a year prior due to his declining production.

But the Cowboys owner countered in an interview with Stephen A. Smith, saying,

"I feel a lot better than some of the critiques that maybe I'm getting more than they are. But I'm sensitive to them. But I'm frankly a little surprised that it isn't more apparent to fans that we put an outstanding team together. I think the team is in better shape to roll than it was last year. We got criticized in the offseason that we weren't out after the big names in free agency."

It elicited surprise from his interviewer but the Dallas owner, who also doubles up as the general manager, was scathing about what he thought were unfounded accusations. With regards to the contract situation with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, Jerry Jones said that the only one he thought needed sorting out immediately was that of the wide receiver and he seemed satisfied that they had done so before the season began, even if they had left it late.

He continued,

"We were criticized because we have had special contracts for some key players. With frankly in my opinion... the key thing to remember about them is except for Lamb, that's not this year. That's not 2004, that's about the future from 2004. I'm talking about the discussion the contract."

Jerry Jones also said that, unlike what people might think, he cares about what people say about the Dallas Cowboys because he is sensitive about it. He commented,

"Of course, I'm wearing it on my sleeve a little bit because I am a pleaser okay. It bothers the hell out of me to really get critiqued and criticized especially if they're getting near the red meat and they're getting in there where I'm double sensitive about it. But there's not many things about the Cowboys that I'm not sensitive about."

Jerry Jones' comments could spell trouble for Mike McCarthy

Jerry Jones' comments made it clear that he values his star players and thinks that their current squad is even better than last season. What he did not talk about was head coach Mike McCarthy's expiring contract. The pressure is now on the head coach to do better than he did previously.