Many Cowboys fans are convinced their season is doomed after the team’s 3-4 start following the team’s 30-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Owner Jerry Jones disagrees. He still thinks Dallas has a lot to play for before all is said and done for its 2024 campaign.

Specifically, Jones believes the players on his roster returning from injury this season can give the roster a much-needed boost, as he said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan.

“I have a lot of confidence in these players. I have a lot of confidence in this coaching staff. … We will have some players who will come back (from injury) and who will play a vital role for us. We have to improve.” seventeen games, let’s turn things around and finish a storybook of a rough start,” Jones said tough, with Jon Machota of The Athletic.

The return of Micah Parsons will certainly help the defense. The quiet absences of DeMarcus Lawrence and DaRon Bland will also give the defensive coordinator many more options when it comes to attacking opposing quarterbacks.

The offense doesn’t have much help along the way. Brandin Cooks is eligible to return Nov. 10 against the Eagles but he’s not what any neutral observer of the NFL would call a “difference maker.” The veteran wideout can help diversify Dak Prescott’s passing targets, but he won’t drastically change the complexion of Mike McCarthy’s offensive game plan from week to week.

What Jones really needs is for his star players to live up to the money he’s invested in them. Prescott is one of the highest paid players in the NFL and has just ten touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season. He’s not the main reason Dallas ends up with a mediocre record, but he hasn’t elevated his teammates the way a player should with his salary.

Jones and his front office also deserve their fair share of blame for the team’s struggles. The Cowboys have steadfastly refused to embark on any significant rebuild despite their struggles in recent seasons. There’s a compelling argument to be made that Dallas should look to shed starters in exchange for significant draft capital before this year’s trade deadline. Instead, it’s painfully obvious that Jones will only consider adding win-now talent rather than bolstering the team’s draft vaults.

Jones is right that his team still has time to turn things around. A 3-4 record in a 17-game regular season doesn’t doom a team with this type of high-end talent. This could, however, doom a roster that lacks quality depth. The Cowboys owner may not understand that reality, judging by his comments after his team’s recent loss to the 49ers.