The 2024 Dallas Cowboys feels cursed. While fluctuating play week-to-week and outside noise ironically caused by team owner Jerry Jones are always prevalent with this team, the current iteration of the Cowboys feels more unserious than ever before.
Despite the team's superstar receiver, CeeDee Lamb, pleading with ownership to install curtains during afternoon games, Jones tripled down during his Tuesday spot with 105.3 The Fan.
Jones said that of all the things the Cowboys need to improve, the sunlight glare AT&T Stadium is "way down the list." It might be far down the list, but it is also the easiest fix. Or is it?
Many Cowboys fans want Ezekiel Elliott off the roster after he fumbled on the goal line in Sunday's blowout loss to the Eagles. Mind you, this came after Elliott didn't travel with the team to Atlanta after he missed a Friday meeting before Dallas played the Falcons.
Jones was asked about Elliott on 105.3 The Fan and uttered perhaps his most ridiculous take yet on the 29-year-old back.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones denies reality with laughable Ezekiel Elliott quote
Despite an abundance of evidence to the contrary, Jones has been impressed by Elliott's performance. Jones also said the Cowboys are "not living in the past with Zeke, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said he's still seeing positive things from Ezekiel Elliott. "We're not living in the past with Zeke."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 12, 2024
Just two patently false statements from the Cowboys' owner. Aside from pass protection, there is no benefit to playing Elliott. It's made so much worse by the fact that Rico Dowdle is having an objectively good season in his first year as the lead running back.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dowdle is Dallas' highest-graded player on offense. He is also seventh in the NFL in rushing success rate, ranking higher than prominent RBs like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara. That is skewed by the fact Dowdle only has 83 carries, but don't let Jones and the national media trick you into thinking there isn't a quality RB on the roster.
READ MORE: Cowboys make most indefensible Ezekiel Elliott decision yet vs. Eagles
Elliott doesn't have enough carries to qualify, but his 40.7% success rate would rank 32nd of 35 qualified running backs. He ranks 49th of 50 running backs with 3.2 yards per carry, 45th in PFF rushing grade and dead-last with two missed tackles forced.
That is the exact definition of living in the past. Elliott's relationship with ownership and the front office allows him to receive preferential treatment. He didn't sit out a single play after his goal-line fumble on Sunday. In fact, Dallas called his number on the very next snap.
That Elliott is still on the roster, let alone still seeing a handful of touches per game, is a perfect summation of why the Cowboys are staring at a high draft pick in 2025.
Jones is the biggest problem with the franchise and that's not changing anytime soon.