Jerry Jones: Cowboys didn't pursue Derrick Henry because of his 'fitness,' calls Troy Aikman's criticism 'fair'

By Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf and Alex Andrejev

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday for the first time since expressing frustration at the team's flagship radio station last week over questions about Dallas' lack of offseason moves. He said he was “surprised” that the discussion received so much public attention and touched on other issues impacting the team and the league, including the fact that the Cowboys were without star running back Derrick Henry in the offseason would oblige.

“In my opinion we are not playing very good football at all at the moment and it is questionable whether we have Derrick Henry or not. … I don’t know if he would have a career year in our situation,” he said.

Jones said Henry — who has rushed for 873 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season with the Baltimore Ravens — has been a strong addition to the Ravens' offense, adding that the Cowboys “don't run that type of offense at all.” ”

“Derrick Henry wasn't a fit, especially because he had a handle on the (salary) cap … in anticipation of the players we would sign weeks later, (and) in anticipation of the players we would sign in the future.” “

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues @1053thefan For the first time since he bristled at their questions about Dallas' lack of offseason moves: “I'm surprised last week got so much attention.”

Before being asked, Jones brought up that the Cowboys weren't interested…

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 22, 2024

The Cowboys reached a four-year, $136 million contract extension with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in August and then extended quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240 million contract last month. All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons could also get a blockbuster contract next offseason.

During his radio appearance on Tuesday, Jones also addressed Troy Aikman's recent criticism of the Cowboys' wide receivers, saying Aikman “knows football” and is “credible.” Aikman suggested last week that the team's wide receivers are making life more difficult for Prescott.

“He’s very professional,” Jones said of Aikman. “I think he is very fair. … I'm pretty confident that we have the ability to coach and we have some receivers that can take the coaching and improve. And that’s the most important thing: improving.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues @1053thefan on Troy Aikman's criticism of Dallas' WRs: “Troy knows football. He lives it. …Troy is believable. And it should be. … He’s very professional. I think he is very fair. …I'm pretty confident that we have the ability to train and we have some… https://t.co/2p055VCIA

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 22, 2024

The Cowboys are 3-3 and are coming off a bye following a Week 6 loss to the Detroit Lions. On Sunday they face the San Francisco 49ers (3-4).

Why failing to pursue Henry feels like a failure for Dallas

It's difficult to watch Henry rush for 125 yards per game and think he didn't significantly improve a Cowboys running game that's averaging just a league-low 77 yards per game.

Standing outside the Cowboys' locker room about 30 minutes after Henry rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant Ravens win over Dallas last month, he was quick to point out that the Cowboys couldn't afford Henry. In March, he signed a two-year, $16 million contract with Baltimore.

Jones said re-signing Prescott and Lamb last offseason and Parsons in the future would have impacted their ability. Even if you completely believe that, the Cowboys should have at least reached out to Henry to see if they possibly could have worked something out.

Henry, who has a home in the Dallas area, said he hopes to hear from the Cowboys. And with him now the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Dallas boasting the worst rushing offense in the league, the Cowboys' offseason decision looks even worse. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer

Jones denies blame

It was interesting that Jones chose to say Henry's name without being asked. It's likely the topic would have come up, considering how much Henry played on “Monday Night Football” and that the Cowboys' run game woes are one of the overarching storylines this season.

Through six games, the Cowboys have averaged 4.1, 3.2, 3.2, 3.5, 3.5 and 3.1 yards per attempt, respectively. In contrast, Henry has averaged 3.5, 4.7, 6.0, 8.3, 6.1, 5.5 and then 11.3 yards per carry in games this season.

Jones bringing up Henry unprompted clearly assumes some level of knowledge of what Henry is capable of. However, Jones didn't want to take credit for the Cowboys' decision to deal with Henry, who has a residence in Dallas.

Instead, he placed the blame on the salary cap situation, which was poorly handled by Jones and the front office due to the decision to make the Prescott and Lamb deals. Jones then deflected again by saying that Henry wouldn't have the same success in Dallas because the Cowboys' plans didn't allow for it, shifting the blame onto the coaching staff. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat writer

Required reading

(Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)