Jerry Jones's succession plan for the Cowboys has a sad ending that leaves his son Stephen in a difficult situation

Jerry Jones has made it clear that he isn’t preparing to walk away from the Dallas Cowboys anytime soon.

At 83, the longtime owner still intends to remain involved until the day he’s no longer able to do so, leaving his son Stephen Jones facing an unusual challenge when that moment eventually arrives.

Jones bought the Cowboys for $140 million in 1989 and turned the franchise into one of the biggest commercial forces in professional sports.

Dallas is now valued at approximately $15.5 billion, according to Sportico, while Jones continues to hold the unusual combination of owner, president and general manager.

“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jones told The Athletic. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”

Despite his admission that he has “no succession plan,” however, the man most likely to inherit significant control is already deeply embedded in the organization.

Stephen Jones has spent decades preparing for greater responsibility, overseeing areas including contracts, personnel and salary-cap strategy.

He’s become one of the most influential figures in the Cowboys' front office, working alongside his father while developing his own approach to running the team.

That creates a complicated situation for the younger Jones. He’ll eventually have to follow one of the most recognizable and influential owners in NFL history.

Stephen Jones could usher in a very different Cowboys era

Former Cowboys stars Troy Aikman and Darren Woodson both believe Dallas will look noticeably different once Stephen becomes the primary voice in the organization.

“I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s going to feel a lot different,” said Aikman .

The Hall of Fame quarterback also believes Stephen’s lower-key personality could work in his favor. Unlike his father, Stephen doesn’t appear to crave the same level of attention, something Aikman thinks could serve him well.

Woodson sees another potential change. The former Dallas safety believes Jerry’s personal relationships with players can sometimes influence football decisions, allowing certain veterans more room than they might receive elsewhere.

He expects Stephen to be less forgiving when difficult choices have to be made.

That distinction could become increasingly important when Stephen eventually takes charge. He may be more inclined to make decisions based strictly on football and financial considerations rather than sentiment, potentially changing how the Cowboys handle contracts, roster turnover and personnel decisions.

Yet Stephen’s biggest challenge may have nothing to do with football operations. Jerry has been the face and voice of the Cowboys for almost 40 years, making his eventual absence impossible to overlook.

Jerry has also rejected suggestions that the franchise could simply be sold, despite occasional speculation about outside investors. The Cowboys are expected to remain within the Jones family.

That means Stephen should eventually have the opportunity to put his own stamp on the team. The transition, though, could be sudden.