Cowboys Fans Bothered By Strange Jerry Jones Reaction to Will McClay

FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys general manager is owner Jerry Jones.

Fans’ hopes and dreams of a change there after 35 years are wasting their hopes and dreams.

Jones right now is working to forge a new contract for his head coach, Mike McCarthy. That’s the understandable headline-grabber from here inside The Star, especially to “the nationals and the casuals.”

But an equally important front-office decision looms.

Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay, like McCarthy, also has an expiring contract. And Jones’ answers to our media questions about the McClay plan do not exactly create confidence in this GM among Cowboys Nation members.

When first asked, Jones replied, “I’m not discussing any of that, at all.”

But as has always been the case when Jerry offers a “no comment,” what he ends up meaning, is “No comment, but …”

“I’m not discussing any of that,” Jones repeated. “I’ll discuss how much I think of Will McClay. I’ll discuss that, but I’m not going to give any type of — that can go one way or the other. That’s like it’s something that I need to be concerned about. I don’t necessarily know that.”

McClay, 58, has been with the Cowboys for 20 years; he is virtually a member of the Jones family by now, and is extremely loyal to ownership led by Jerry and Stephen Jones.

Nevertheless, his deal runs out following the April NFL Draft, we are told.

Is it possible that he might want to finally explore being a real general manager (rather than a de facto assistant GM as he is here)?

Again, first off, let’s dismiss the usual question: Does that mean it is worth wondering if it is possible – if that’s what it takes to retain him – that Dallas GM Jerry steps back and assigns the title to McClay?

No. Next question: Does McClay, who received an extension three years ago, have an itch to leave? Once upon a time, he remained in Dallas in part because he was raising a young son. McClay is an empty-nester now … and more free to look.

And finally, the question of Will’s value here – and this is where in our media visit with Jerry, things got weird. … in a way that could bother Cowboys fans.

“Will gathers the information for the scouting,” Jones said. “He doesn’t pick the players. (He) gathers the information for the scouting. He’s one of the best at gathering the information for the scouting. Is he one of the people that I would use to give me information and evaluation? Yes. He’s one of them. And Will’s outstanding at this. …

“Of course, we have a great relationship with each other.”

Indeed they do. And …

“Is he perfect? Does he know how to, say, pick all of the good players? No. We all tried to go past (Micah) Parsons. And we all waited to the fourth round to pick Dak (Prescott). So much for any brains in the room at all,” Jones said in a half-joke.

So far, this doesn’t exactly sound like the most ringing endorsement for a guy who has been the glue in this front office.

Maybe Jerry is trying to downplay it because he wants to keep McClay-relay attention low?

I really enjoy, personally, working with Will and I think he’s very competent. I’m not trying to downplay it,” he said. :I just don’t want to make it an issue because it’s not, in my mind.”

No, Cowboys fans, you should not necessarily be comforted by these answers, though you can again cling to the idea that this is Jones playing “Jerry The Contrarian,” as he enjoys doing while stirring up drama.

To wit, consider this: Jones said “he doesn’t know” if McClay wants to be a general manager in the NFL one day. That, of course, is ridiculous. Jones and McClay are too close for that to be true. Jerry absolutely knows what Will wants.

Now they just need to figure out if what he wants is still at The Star.