# Jerry Jones Blasted for Coaching Budgets

> Ex-NFL coach Marvin Lewis accuses Jerry Jones of letting Mike McCarthy leave due to financial reluctance.
- Title: Jerry Jones Blasted for Coaching Budgets · EssentiallySports
- Summary: Ex-NFL coach Marvin Lewis accuses Jerry Jones of letting Mike McCarthy leave due to financial reluctance.
- Keywords: jerry jones, dallas cowboys, marvin lewis, mike mccarthy, nfl, cowboys coaching budget, arizona cardinals, EssentiallySports
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-cowboys-didnt-want-to-pay-jerry-jones-blasted-over-being-cheap-as-ex-nfl-head-coach-makes-feelings-known
- Author: Nisarga Barkule
- Published: 2026-11-06T14:57:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jerry jones, dallas cowboys, marvin lewis, mike mccarthy, nfl, cowboys coaching budget, arizona cardinals, sports
## Cowboys' Fourth-Quarter Collapse
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a historic fourth-quarter collapse against the Arizona Cardinals in week 8 of the 2026 NFL season.
## Marvin Lewis Criticizes Jones
Former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis accused Jerry Jones of letting Mike McCarthy walk because he didn't want to pay him.
## McCarthy's Departure
McCarthy led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons before departing Dallas when his contract expired in January 2025.
## Jones' Coaching Budget Claim
Jerry Jones dismissed spending concerns, arguing there is zero correlation between how much you pay a coach and winning.
## Salary Discrepancy
Dallas' head coach earns $4.5 million annually, while first-time coaches like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn command $13 million and $12 million.
## Steve Keim's Defense
Former Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim compared Dallas' defense to an alarming credit card statement, calling it 'Swiss cheese.'

> Every month… I look at my AMEX bill and I can’t believe what the f*** I’m looking at
## Cris Carter's Assessment
Hall of Famer Cris Carter stated Jerry Jones focuses on marketing and branding over functional football operations.

> He is about the sizzle, not the steak
## Key takeaway

Jerry Jones let Mike McCarthy leave the Cowboys because he didn't want to pay him, despite McCarthy's success.