Bayless Blames Jones for Cowboys’ Lack of Heart

On November 6, 2026, Skip Bayless sharply criticized the Dallas Cowboys in a televised First Take segment alongside Stephen A. Smith. Smith called the team an accident waiting to happen; Bayless argued that its problems had persisted for 31 years and described the players as lacking heart and competitive drive.

Bayless blamed Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, for what he sees as a culture without enough urgency or accountability. He took issue with Jones saying he liked the direction of the team, arguing that such praise sends a message that losing is acceptable.

Bayless also said the Cowboys had become a sports soap opera, and faulted Jones for keeping the franchise in the spotlight while it has gone decades without meaningful success. The report describes the roster as talented and says fans have called for accountability, while Jones has defended the team’s direction and coaching staff after a particularly poor loss.

Bayless said Jones’s role as the franchise’s most visible figure makes change seem unlikely. He said he likes Jones personally but considers him a poor general manager, criticizing his continued control of the team’s football operations.