Jimmy Johnson has not been formally associated with the Dallas Cowboys for over 30 years, but the former coach was still fuming over the team’s performance in the first half of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card game.
After coming into Sunday’s game unbeaten at home on the season, the Cowboys fell behind 27-7 at halftime against the Green Bay Packers. Dallas was outplayed on both sides of the ball, and it left Johnson steaming.
On FOX’s halftime show, Johnson was asked what he would say to the Cowboys in the locker room if he were in charge. The Hall of Fame coach admitted that he couldn’t share what his actual message would be on television, but he did offer a fiery but family-friendly version.
JIMMY JOHNSON IS FIRED UP 😳😤
You have to hear this message he had for the Cowboys! pic.twitter.com/cSc70hdIoz
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2024
“Every single one of you, you know how hard we work,” Johnson said. “I don’t need to have people pointing the fingers, one thing or another. You get your rear end in there and you play the way you know how to play. We can win the game! We’re going to open it up, we’re going to go fast tempo. Defense, get after Jordan Love! You can’t give him that much time. You do what you’re supposed to do and we’ll win this game.”
The Cowboys obviously weren’t watching, but it’s hard to imagine that they did not receive a similar message from their coaches in the locker room.
This season saw Johnson’s induction into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor after a lengthy conflict with owner Jerry Jones. He would have loved to see the team make a playoff run, especially with the talent they have, so some of that anger and frustration was definitely real.
