Jimmy Johnson isn't coming to save the Cowboys

Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys former head coach Jimmy Johnson hugs owner Jerry Jones after being inducted into the ring of honor at halftime of the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Unless they were living under a rock in these past few days, most fans have heard that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has spoken with former coach Jimmy Johnson at length after the season ended. The significance of that  conversation has blown up around Cowboys Nation because as Johnson puts it, he’s now on Jones’ “advisory board.”

When reading it without context, it certainly seems like the relationship between the two has been mended and it has led to Johnson providing some helpful input to Jones. The former coach even went as far as to say things are now “hunky dory” between the two.

That’s all well and good, and it was well past time for Jones to do the right thing to put Johnson into the franchises iconic Ring of Honor, but Johnson isn’t coming to save the Cowboys. No, that task still falls on Jones and his son Stephen to make the best moves for the organization.

It’s one thing to be an advisor for Jones, but it’s quite another to be involved with the team and making actual decisions. And when actually listening to how Johnson put it, being on the “advisory board” is much more of a hands-off, informal role than it is an actual consultant. Beyond that, though, it sounds like it was more of a joke from Johnson than most have been portraying it to be.

Jimmy Johnson talks about advising Jerry Jones after the Packers loss:

Joe Rose/WQAM https://t.co/vs2i34kZF9 pic.twitter.com/HTJwqu44Mo

— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) February 20, 2024

Johnson is laughing the entire time he was talking about being back in good graces with Jones, which doesn’t constitute a serious role with the team, but does confirm he’s on better terms with Jones these days. That friendly banter and charm is something that Johnson is famous for, and it looks like some may be taking things a bit far.

Even if Johnson was being serious, his advice can only matter so much. Jones has plenty of former coaches and players he leans into for help, but no one has been able to get through to Jones to make the necessary changes. Bill Parcells, Mike Holmgren, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin, among others, have all lent their support to Jones, but it’s all fallen on deaf ears. The Joneses will continue to do what they want when it comes to the Cowboys; that isn’t going to change with Johnson.

Consider one of the reasons why the two fell apart in the first place, with each trying to take the credit from the other for the team’s success. Does anyone truly believe Jones would take Johnson on as a real advisor? If he did, and it worked, the fight over who is responsible for any success would be magnified even more in this day of social media. Jones would likely not be able to handle that again.

Can you imagine if Jerry Jones really did have Jimmy as an advisor and the Cowboys then go on to win the Super Bowl!!??!!

The fights over who is responsible would be epic!!

— Ben Grimaldi (@BenGrimaldi) February 20, 2024

No, Jerry Jones didn’t add Johnson to his payroll as an advisor, and the owner is still beating to his own drum, no matter who he takes guidance from. In the big picture it’s up to the Joneses, Will McClay, Mike McCarthy, and the players to win another Super Bowl. However, it’s ultimately up to Jones, who leads the charge as the owner and GM.

It’s a fun story and it’s nice to dream about what could be with Jimmy Johnson back with the Dallas Cowboys, but reality tells a different tale. Johnson isn’t coming to save the Cowboys.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Jimmy Johnson isn’t coming to save the Cowboys