Charles Barkley Trolls ESPN’s Continuous Coverage of Jerry Jones’ ‘Average’ Cowboys: “They are Contractually Obligated”

Charles Barkley has been an avid football fan ever since he was a child. Growing up, he had his favorites, but America’s Team, Jerry Jones‘ Dallas Cowboys, is not one of them.

He was there to witness the 1990s Cowboys dominate the NFL and win three Super Bowls. Despite that, he stuck to his winless Philadelphia Eagles, whom he supports to this day.

Earlier, when he was only working for TNT, the NBA Hall of Famer would never talk about the Cowboys. However, now that he is a part of ESPN’s coverage, he and his crew of Inside the NBA decided to bring up the topic.

Host Ernie Johnson first mentioned that they have been on air on ESPN for two nights, and they have yet to talk about the Dallas Cowboys. To this, the Round Mound of Rebound said:

They (ESPN) are contractually obligated to talk about the Cowboys every day, even though the defense can’t stop a bloody nose.

Charles Barkley said

Hearing this, fellow NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal decided to join in the fun and then tried to stop Charles Barkley from criticizing the Dallas Cowboys. This was naturally going to irk the latter:

Stop people from scoring. Don’t trade your best defensive player, and then whine about you can’t stop anybody.

Charles Barkley replied

Talking the Cowboys on Inside The NBA?? 😂 pic.twitter.com/PobMPS5t9h

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 29, 2025

With this troll, the former NBA league MVP hit two birds with one stone. On one hand, he trolled ESPN for its excessive coverage of one particular team. On the other hand, he threw shade at the Dallas Cowboys for their inept defense.

Jerry Jones cares more about $100 billion gas deal than fixing Cowboys’ defense

Jerry Jones has been facing a lot of flak for the horrible state of his Dallas Cowboys’ defense. On numerous occasions, he has either defended defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Or, he has denied that his roster needs any additional reinforcements, as he believes the right trade has not yet emerged. When speaking with the Wall Street Journal about a gas exploration deal, the 83-year-old said this:

There’s $100 billion present value with gas out there. That’s why I’m talking to you on the telephone rather than trying to fix our defense with the Dallas Cowboys.

Jerry Jones said

Understandably, the billionaire made most of his wealth through real estate and investments in oil and natural gas exploration. Money from that helped him purchase the Cowboys back in 1989.

However, his statement to the publication seems to indicate he is more concerned about the potential new gas explorations will bring than fixing what is the very reason his football team is struggling.

Jerry Jones’ Cowboys have miserable record despite Dak Prescott and offense’s exploits

Jerry Jones believed he was helping his Dallas Cowboys’ defense when he landed Kenny Clark in exchange for Micah Parsons. So far, that belief has been turned on its head.

It so happens that the defense has let in the 2nd most yards and points in the league. On the contrary, quarterback Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level and has led his offense to score the 2nd most points in the league.

That contrasting effort is why they are 3-4-1. Teams that put up that many points usually are generally at the top of the league’s leaderboard, such as the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts.

Instead, the sheer lack of defense is threatening to put an end to the Dallas Cowboys’ hopes of making it to the playoffs this year. The only win this year for Jones might be the billions he makes on his gas deals.

Also Read:

• Lamar Jackson Owns Up to Asking Ravens to Remove ‘Distractions’ After Disastrous 2-5 Start
• Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Dedication Helped Colts Take No. 1 Spot on Tom Brady’s Power Rankings