Jerry Jones is a literal force of nature in the NFL. Honestly, it is hard to imagine a version of the Dallas Cowboys that isn't defined by his massive personality and that ever-present grin from the owner's box at AT&T Stadium. But father time waits for no one, not even the man who bought "America's Team" for a "paltry" $140 million back in 1989.
So, let's get right to it. How old is Jerry Jones cowboys owner? As of early 2026, Jerral Wayne Jones is 83 years old.
He was born on October 13, 1942. That makes him an October Libra, for those who track the stars, though his business style is much more "aggressive bull" than "balanced scales." Born in Los Angeles but raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Jerry has lived through the tenure of 15 different U.S. Presidents and has seen the NFL transform from a secondary sport into a multibillion-dollar global juggernaut.
He's old. But he doesn't act like it.
The timeline of a billionaire: From Arkansas to Arlington
Jerry isn't just a guy with a checkbook. He was a football player first. He was an offensive lineman for the University of Arkansas. He was a co-captain on the 1964 national championship team. That is a long time ago. Think about that: the man was winning rings before the first Super Bowl even happened in 1967.
When you look at how old Jerry Jones is, you have to look at the era that shaped him. He’s a product of the post-war boom. He tried various business ventures, including a failed string of Shakey's Pizza Parlors, before striking it rich in oil and gas with Jones Oil and Land Lease. By the time he bought the Cowboys from H.R. "Bum" Bright in the late 80s, he was already 46 years old. Most people are looking toward retirement in their late 40s or at least settling into a groove. Jerry was just getting started on his second act.
He fired Tom Landry. People hated him for it. He brought in Jimmy Johnson. They won three Super Bowls in the 90s. Then he and Jimmy famously clashed because there wasn't enough room in Texas for two egos that size.
Since those 90s glory days, the Cowboys haven't reached a Super Bowl. That is a thirty-year drought. For a man who is 83, every season carries a different kind of weight. You can see it in his face during those post-game locker room scrums. He is a man in a hurry, even if the results on the field don't always reflect that urgency.
Why his age is the biggest talking point in Dallas
Why do people care so much about his age? It’s not just celebrity gossip. It’s about the "all in" philosophy.
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Every offseason, Cowboys fans hear the same refrain: "We're going all in." But the definition of "all in" according to Jerry Jones seems to differ from what the rest of the world thinks. At 83, Jerry still serves as the General Manager. He is the only owner in the league who also insists on being the GM. It’s a point of contention that has lasted decades.
Critics like Stephen A. Smith or local Dallas columnists often point to his age as a reason why the team needs fresh blood in the front office. They argue the game has passed him by. Jerry, however, disagrees. He recently joked about his longevity, basically implying that he’s got plenty of "energy" left in the tank. He still does his weekly radio hits on 105.3 The Fan. He still walks the sidelines. He still makes the final call on draft picks.
The Family Succession Plan
There is a shadow hanging over the Star in Frisco. That shadow is the question of what happens next.
Jerry has three children: Stephen, Charlotte, and Jerry Jr. They are all heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the Cowboys.
- Stephen Jones handles a lot of the cap management and contract negotiations. He’s seen as the more conservative, pragmatic voice.
- Charlotte Jones is the branding genius. She is the reason the Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth an estimated $10 billion or more.
- Jerry Jones Jr. heads up sales and marketing.
Even though Stephen is essentially the GM-in-waiting, Jerry isn't letting go of the steering wheel. Not yet. Being 83 hasn't slowed his desire to be the face of the franchise. In fact, it seems to have intensified it. He knows his window for seeing one more trophy raised is closing.
Health, Longevity, and the "Billionaire Factor"
Let's talk about how he stays so active at an age when most people are long retired. Jones has access to the best healthcare money can buy, obviously. But it's more than that. It is the work.
Neuroscientists often talk about how staying mentally engaged keeps the brain sharp. Jerry Jones is the poster child for this. He is constantly negotiating, constantly talking to the media, and constantly thinking about "the brand."
He did have a minor health scare or two over the years—a hip replacement here, a procedure there—but he’s remarkably mobile. You’ll see him hopping off his private jet or walking the massive halls of AT&T Stadium with more pep than guys twenty years younger.
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Is he a bit eccentric? Sure. He’s known for "Jerry-isms"—those weird phrases like "circumventing the circumvents" or talking about "glory holes" in a way that makes everyone in the room slightly uncomfortable. But that's just Jerry. His age hasn't dulled his ability to command a room. If anything, he’s leaned into the role of the eccentric grandfather of the NFL.
Comparing Jerry to other "Old Guard" owners
Jerry isn't the oldest owner in the league, but he's getting up there.
Virginia Halas McCaskey of the Chicago Bears is over 100 years old.
Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots is in his 80s as well.
The difference is that most of these owners have hired "football people" to run the actual football side.
Jerry remains the outlier.
This refusal to step back into a purely "owner" role is what makes his age a tactical issue for the Cowboys. If he were just a 83-year-old man enjoying his yacht, no one would care. But he is a 83-year-old man making decisions on whether to pay Dak Prescott $60 million a year or how to handle CeeDee Lamb's contract holdouts.
That is where the tension lies. Fans love his passion, but they fear his stubbornness.
The Legacy Question
When you are 83, you start thinking about how you'll be remembered. Jerry is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2017). His legacy as a businessman is secure. He turned the NFL into a television powerhouse. He convinced other owners that they should be making way more money from sponsorships and broadcast rights.
But for Cowboys fans, the only legacy that matters is winning.
There is a whole generation of Dallas fans—kids born in the late 90s and early 2000s—who have never seen this team even play in an NFC Championship game. To them, Jerry isn't the guy who built a dynasty. He's the guy who has presided over decades of "almost."
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What to expect in the coming seasons
Don't expect Jerry Jones to retire. Ever.
He has famously said he will be the GM as long as he’s upright. He enjoys the heat. He enjoys the criticism. He’s an old-school promoter, a carnival barker at heart who happens to own a sports empire.
As we move through 2026, keep an eye on his involvement in the coaching staff. With Mike McCarthy often on the hot seat, the question of who Jerry hires next will be telling. Will he go for another "yes man" who lets him stay in control, or will he finally cede power to a big-name coach like Bill Belichick (who is also getting up there in age)?
Final Verdict on the Age Factor:
Jerry Jones is 83. He is wealthy beyond imagination. He is healthy enough to run circles around most people. And he is absolutely not going anywhere.
If you are looking for a change in how the Dallas Cowboys are run, you're likely going to have to wait until nature forced the hand. For now, Jerry is the king of Arlington, and he plans to stay on the throne for as long as his 83-year-old heart keeps beating for those Cowboys.
Key Takeaways for Fans and Observers
If you're following the Cowboys' trajectory, here is what you need to keep in mind regarding the owner's status:
- Watch the Draft: Jerry’s influence is most visible in the war room. Watch how much input Stephen Jones has versus his father. The shift in power is happening slowly, in real-time.
- Listen to the Pressers: Jerry’s mental acuity is usually tested during his post-game rants. As long as he’s still sharp enough to dodge tough questions and spin a loss into a "learning opportunity," he’s still in charge.
- The Valuation Factor: Even if the team doesn't win a Super Bowl, Jerry will likely focus on keeping the Cowboys as the #1 most valuable franchise. At 83, he’s still looking at the bottom line as much as the scoreboard.
- Succession Readiness: Start paying closer attention to Charlotte Jones. While Stephen handles the players, Charlotte is increasingly the "face" of the Cowboys' corporate and community identity. She might be the most powerful woman in sports you aren't talking about yet.
The reality is that Jerry Jones’ age is just a number until it isn't. But for now, 83 looks a lot like 63 on him, and the NFL is a more interesting place because of it. Whether that’s good for the Cowboys' trophy case is a whole other debate.
Next Steps for Following the Cowboys Ownership:
Track the official NFL owner meeting minutes and the Dallas Cowboys' front office directory for any shifts in executive titles. Stephen Jones’ role as Executive Vice President, CEO, and Director of Player Personnel is the one to watch—any addition of "General Manager" to his title would signal the official end of the Jerry Jones era. For now, keep an eye on the sidelines; if Jerry is there, he's the one calling the shots.