Gun-shy Gambler: Cowboys CB misses may result in investment avoidance

Jerry Jones has long been known as “the Gambler.” The Arkansas oil man turned Dallas Cowboys owner has an reputation of swinging big in matters of investment and of sport. His recent Netflix documentary, “The Gambler and his Cowboys,” solidifies that name and reputation in its homage to the Cowboys’ top decision maker. It’s clear, even in the winter of his days, “gambler” is a label Jones has embraced.

Yet coming on the heels of repeated failures at the cornerback position, Jones may be inclined to pump the brakes on some of his gambling ways. This position specifically is a position he’s been hot and cold on over the years, at times betting big, and at other times avoiding it like the plague.

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In recent days, Jones and the Cowboys have been treating CB like the premium position it is, investing high draft picks and dedicating high dollars. Despite the good intensions and best efforts, it’s blown up in the Cowboys’ faces. Draft picks have struggled, and investments have gone bust (see also draft picks Shevon Revel and Caelen Carson and financial investments in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland).

Revel and Carson are still young, but their recent performances have been underwhelming. Diggs and Bland were proven All-Pros paid on premium contracts, yet they’ve been among the NFL’s worst since signing them, with the former becoming a mid-season cut and the latter playing for his job in 2026.

Jones has done all the right things but has been rewarded with nothing more than disaster. Cake frontman John McCrea once hilariously waxed, “bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse, assail him and veil him with monster truck force,” to describe a competitor’s lost confidence in the moment of failure.

It’s a feeling a decision maker like Jones likely feels as he assesses the fruits of labor in regard to the CB position.

With investments that total roughly $200 million, the gambler has reason to be gun-shy at CB. Neither of the big-ticket items have panned out and investments may be better used elsewhere on the roster. The impact of such could be seen in free agency and the upcoming draft as Dallas attempts to rebuild their defense.

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Cornerback is regarded as a major offseason need and recent disasters may prompt the gambler to think twice about investing big. He may avoid signing a plug-and-play veteran and shy away from using an early draft pick based on the doubt and remorse of decision’s past. Because even a gambler like Jones has his limits.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Gun-shy Gambler: Cowboys CB misses may result in investment avoidance