With the Dallas Cowboys’ season over, the team’s media appropriately decided to evaluate the franchise’s performance. After the Cowboys’ 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 18, Jerry Jones was asked if he would consider stepping down as general manager, per Clarence Hill Jr.

“No, just no,” Jones said. “I bought the team. I think the first thing that came out of my mouth when somebody asked [after that transaction], ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘Hell no. I bought it for [myself], and I didn’t buy an investment.

“I bought an occupation, and I bought something that I was going to do for the rest of my life, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Jones was widely criticized in the offseason leading up to this season for moving slowly in contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Head coach Mike McCarthy also led the Cowboys all year on an expiring contract, taking near-constant pressure from the media questioning his job security.

Before the 1989 NFL season, Jones purchased the Cowboys for $140 million. Shortly after, he fired legendary head coach Tom Landry and hired Jimmy Johnson. In 1990, Johnson won Coach of the Year, and running back Emmitt Smith won Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In 1992, the Cowboys won the first of two back-back Super Bowls. After the 1993 season, Johnson was fired, and Barry Switzer was named head coach. So, there were times when Jones was very successful as the team’s owner, president and general manager. However, that standard of winning is under constant pressure.

Since 1996, Dallas has not advanced past the NFC divisional round.

Jones, 82, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.