Earlier this month, Dallas Cowboys owner, president, and de facto general manager Jerry Jones made it clear that he has no plans to induct any former Cowboy greats into the team's Ring of Honor.
Of course, fans and media know that quite a few former Cowboys are well deserving of entry into the team's historic Ring of Honor. At some point, these men will see their name up high at Jerry World, but ultimately the timing runs on Jones' time.
With several greats like Emmitt Smith, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, and many more already inducted in the Ring of Honor, let’s look at the five individuals that soon need to join these legends.
Honorable Mention: Daryl "Moose" Johnston
Daryl Johnston wasn’t the flashiest player, he never put up big numbers, and multiple players would be mentioned from the Cowboys' 90s dynasty before him, but "Moose" could be argued as the most underrated member of Dallas' epic run in the 1990s.
In 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Johnston finished with 753 rushing yards, 2,227 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns as the primary fullback. He was widely credited with helping Hall of Famer and legendary running back Emmitt Smith become the NFL's all-time rushing leader.
In addition to helping Smith achieve a historic milestone. Johnston helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowl titles and is regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks ever to play the game. The fact he's only an honorable mention speaks to the number of all-time greats that passed through Dallas in their careers.
5. Demarcus Ware
In this day and age, any Cowboys fan has the right to argue that Demarcus Ware could be the best defensive player in franchise history, if not at least the best pass rusher to put on a Cowboy uniform.
Ware was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023. His resume includes seven All-Pro teams, seven Pro Bowls, a two-time sack champ and a deserving member of the 2000s All-Decade team. Ware also holds franchise records in sacks (117), forced fumbles (32), tackles for loss (145) and QB hits (185).
Ware was athletic and powerful as a player, and his technique is one that all pass rushers must study. As mentioned, the Cowboys Ring of Honor runs on Jerry Jones' time. There should be no time in this case, though, as Ware should (and likely will) be inducted soon.
4. Ed "Too Tall" Jones
Let’s go from one great defensive player to another. The first overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, Ed "Too Tall" Jones was a major contributor to the Cowboys' success in the 1970s.
In his career, Jones made three All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowls and helped the Cowboys win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. In his 15-year career, Jones tallied 106 sacks and 19 fumble recoveries.
However, it was his physique that raised eyebrows. Too Tall was a 6-foot-9, 270-pound monster and a living nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Jones' ungodly wingspan terrified QBs and forced a number of throw aways during his career.
Overall, I find it surprising that Too Tall isn’t standing tall in Dallas' Ring of Honor.
3. Jason Witten
While he called it a career just a few short years ago, it’s obvious that Jason Witten will first enter Canton as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and then will return to the team he spent 16 seasons with to take his place in the Ring of Honor.
Witten is regarded as one of the best and most reliable tight ends the game has ever seen. He was a third-round draft selection in 2003 out of the University of Tennessee and cemented himself as the Cowboys’ franchise tight end by his second season, which is a rarity for tight ends.
While as a Cowboy, Witten was a four-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler, and was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2012.
Statistically, Witten totaled 1,228 career receptions, 13,046 yards, and 74 touchdowns. As a Cowboy, he is the organization's all-time leader in receiving yards (12,977), receptions (1,215) and games played (255).
Fans and the media will remember Witten for his connection with former quarterback Tony Romo and his reliability. During his first retirement, former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talked about Y-Option and how it was Witten's signature play.
Now retired for good, the Cowboys have seen multiple faces come and go at tight end, making fans appreciate even more just how great No. 82 was.
2. Dez Bryant
The Cowboys should designate a section in their Ring of Honor known as the 88 Club -- Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and now Dez Bryant.
While most fans might give the edge to the playmaker, Bryant is the most physically talented receiver in franchise history. He was everything a QB would want in a No. 1 receiver. His size, speed, strength, and athleticism are why he would face consistent double teams. Sometimes, those weren't enough to slow him down, though.
The former Cowboy, who spent eight seasons with the club, made three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2014. Bryant finished Cowboys career as the franchise's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns with 75. No pass-catcher in the NFL had more touchdown catches from 2010 to 2014 than Bryant's 56.
This version of number 88 would make for the most exciting Ring of Honor inductee in franchise history.
1. Jimmy Johnson
I’ve saved the best and most obvious for last. Whenever I think of Jimmy Johnson, I think of what and where the franchise would be without his presence.
Johnson arrived to the Cowboys in 1989 as the replacement of an all-time great in Tom Landry. Before arriving in Dallas, Johnson already reached a milestone as a head coach by winning a national championship at the University of Miami.
The early returns weren't great, as the Cowboys went 1-15 and 7-9, respectively, in Johnson's first two seasons as head coach. Not until the greatest trade ever pulled off allowed the Cowboys to flip the script and become a dynasty in the 1990s.
The Great Trade Robbery occurred in 1989 when Johnson dealt the team's only worthy player in All-Pro running back Herschel Walker. The Cowboys received eight draft selections, including three first-round picks.
The result was a dynasty born as Johnson used the picks to build a team that would go on to win three Super Bowls. Notable selections from the trade haul included Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, and Darren Woodson.
Unfortunately, a fallout between Johnson and his long-time friend and former college teammate Jerry Jones forced Johnson to leave Dallas after five seasons.
Still, in those five years, Johnson built something special and was recognized for it when he was enshrined in Canton in 2020.
However, the big question remains when will Jones finally induct the coach who helped bring the Cowboys organization back to glory?