In 2014, the Dallas Cowboys held the coveted No. 16 pick in the NFL Draft, coming off a frustrating third straight 8-8 season. The football world buzzed with anticipation, certain that the Cowboys would seize the chance to draft Texas A&M’s electrifying quarterback, Johnny Manziel. A Texas native and college football sensation, Manziel seemed like the perfect fit for the Cowboys’ flamboyant owner, Jerry Jones, who had a well-known penchant for flashy superstars. But in a stunning turn of events, the Cowboys passed on Manziel, and now, over a decade later, Stephen Jones, Jerry’s son and the team’s CEO, has revealed the explosive behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded on that fateful draft night.
A Tense War Room and a Father’s Fury
During a candid interview with Sports Business Journal’s Abe Madkour for the outlet’s “On Stage” series, Stephen Jones pulled back the curtain on the heated moments in the Cowboys’ draft room in 2014. With quarterback Tony Romo still performing at an elite level but aging at 34, the allure of Manziel—a dynamic, headline-grabbing playmaker—was almost irresistible to Jerry Jones. The elder Jones saw Manziel as the kind of larger-than-life figure who could carry the Cowboys’ brand to new heights. Yet, Stephen and others in the organization saw red flags.
As Stephen recounted, when Manziel was still available at No. 16, the draft room grew tense. “Sure enough, Johnny Manziel falls to us,” Stephen said. “And I go, ‘Dad, this is a hard thing because everybody knows you want Johnny.’ But I said, ‘As you heard some of the things… I don’t think he’s the right guy for us.’” The room fell silent, with team personnel avoiding eye contact, unwilling to challenge Jerry’s vision. It was Stephen who took the bold stand, advocating against drafting the troubled quarterback despite his father’s enthusiasm.
The Decision That Changed Everything
In a move that shocked fans and analysts alike, the Cowboys passed on Manziel, opting instead for Notre Dame offensive guard Zack Martin. The decision sparked an immediate backlash from Jerry Jones, who didn’t hold back his frustration. “After we pick Zack Martin, Jerry looks over at me, slaps me on the leg, and he goes, ‘Son, I didn’t get to buy the Dallas Cowboys… we’re not sitting here ’cause you do down-the-middle-of-the-road things,’” Stephen recalled. Jerry’s words were scathing: “‘What you just did is down the middle. You’ll never be great.’”
The draft room, typically filled with high-fives and celebration after a pick, was instead cloaked in tension. Jerry believed his son had squandered a golden opportunity to land a superstar who could define the franchise. But Stephen’s calculated decision would soon prove to be one of the most pivotal in Cowboys history.
Zack Martin’s Legacy vs. Manziel’s Downfall
Fast forward a decade, and the wisdom of Stephen’s choice is undeniable. Zack Martin has carved out a Hall of Fame-worthy career, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and seven first-team All-Pro honors. His steady presence on the offensive line has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ success, proving that “down-the-middle” can indeed be extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Johnny Manziel’s career took a tragic turn. Selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 22, Manziel’s tenure in the NFL was a brief and turbulent one. Plagued by off-field issues, including struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, he flamed out of the league after just two seasons. In a later reflection, Manziel admitted that landing in Dallas—under the intense spotlight of his home state—could have amplified his personal struggles, potentially leading to an even darker outcome.
A Draft Night Lie That Saved the Cowboys
Stephen Jones’ decision to steer his father away from Manziel wasn’t just a rejection of a risky pick; it was a bold stand against the narrative that the Cowboys needed a larger-than-life figure to succeed. By choosing Martin, Stephen prioritized substance over spectacle, a move that reshaped the franchise’s trajectory. While Jerry’s initial fury suggested a missed opportunity, the outcome speaks for itself: Martin became a legend, while Manziel’s career serves as a cautionary tale.
Interestingly, Stephen didn’t reveal whether Jerry ever apologized for his harsh words that night. But one thing is clear: the Cowboys dodged a bullet, and Stephen’s foresight proved his father wrong in the best way possible. The 2014 draft wasn’t just a turning point for the Cowboys—it was a moment that exposed the lie of chasing stardom over stability, a lesson that continues to resonate in Dallas and beyond.