Good and bad decisions made this year

[Bobhaze]

Whatever anyone thinks about the 2025 off-season, it has to be better than the 2024 off-season where Jerry just sat on his hands and did nothing to make this team better. The 2025 off-season and regular season saw this FO make a lot of decisions. The hiring of a new HC, a lot of trades, a few FAs, the draft, cuts, etc.

Which decisions made by this FO were good and which ones were bad? And which decisions remain to be seen whether good or bad?

THE GOOD DECISIONS

• Drafting G Tyler Booker. 2025 first rd pick. He’s been very good and has lots of upside. Can be a key ingredient for this OL for the next decade.
• Drafting DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. 2025 2nd rounder. After a slow start DE has steadily improved. If he can add some more power he has great upside.
• Signing FA RB Javonte Williams. I was wrong about this guy. He has been a true weapon with power and toughness. Can we keep him?
• Trade for George Pickens. Acquired for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Except for the bad game in Det, Pickens has been outstanding. But…it can’t be a good trade unless the Cowboys can find a way to keep him long term at a price they can live with. This could turn into a “rent-a-player” for year if they can’t keep him.
• Trade for Quinnen Williams. QW is a stud DT acquired for a conditional 1stand 2nd rd pick. Williams gives this team a dominant DT. Wish he were a little younger. He’s 28. But hopefully we get at least 5 more good years.

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN - GOOD OR BAD

• Hiring Brian Schottenheimer. He deserves a chance to prove himself. It’s still too early to decide. But in a league where there is no cap on what you pay coaches we hire another unproven guy to lead this team? Like Gailey, Campo, and Garrett before him. Hope he works out. We will see.
• The Micah Parsons Trade. It was good to get two #1 picks. Kenny Clark was a nice pickup although he’s almost 30. Still depends on what we do with the remaining pick we have after acquiring Q. Williams.
• Drafting CB Shavon Revell. 3rd rd pick has first round talent. But why must we always draft guys with serious injury history? Revell didn’t play until November. And he’s still a big ?

What do you think about all the decisions made so far this year? What did I leave out? What do you disagree with?

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

The Micah trade is so complicated on many levels. If you draft a DE with your or GB’s 1st rounder and he consistently goes to the pro bowl, you effectively got a pro bowl DE and a pro bowl DT for Micah. But the if they don’t get the defense to where it was in 2021-2023, was that enough?

Or if you spend your free money and facelift the entire D with above average players, did you get enough for a future hall of famer? What if the D is a lot better?

Micah is extraordinarily valuable to an already good D like Quinn had in Dallas or what they have in Green Bay. He has way less value to a D like Dallas has where teams can just avoid Micah and crash other areas. Even if the draft picks bust, “well we got a ton of cap space too.” And if the picks are solid and Quinnen plays 6 years for the Cowboys, “yeah but HoFer > some pro bowlers.”

Unless Micah has a career ending injury or goes to prison for importing illegal amounts of Japanese stinky tofu, I don’t believe there will be a clear answer to this anytime in the next 5 years. But it won’t stop posters constantly stamping it confirmed one side or the other every week until the end of time.

 

[Bobhaze]

The Micah trade is so complicated on many levels. If you draft a DE with your or GB’s 1st rounder and he consistently goes to the pro bowl, you effectively got a pro bowl DE and a pro bowl DT for Micah. But the if they don’t get the defense to where it was in 2021-2023, was that enough?

Or if you spend your free money and facelift the entire D with above average players, did you get enough for a future hall of famer? What if the D is a lot better?

Micah is extraordinarily valuable to an already good D like Quinn had in Dallas or what they have in Green Bay. He has way less value to a D like Dallas has where teams can just avoid Micah and crash other areas. Even if the draft picks bust, “well we got a ton of cap space too.” And if the picks are solid and Quinnen plays 6 years for the Cowboys, “yeah but HoFer > some pro bowlers.”

Unless Micah has a career ending injury or goes to prison for importing illegal amounts of Japanese stinky tofu, I don’t believe there will be a clear answer to this anytime in the next 5 years. But it won’t stop posters constantly stamping it confirmed one side or the other every week until the end of time.

Really good post Aero.

The Micah trade is a long way from knowing what the actual outcomes will be. I like what we got, so far anyway.

The real issue will be what does this FO do with the extra draft capital? Are they capable of using it wisely to make this roster a lot better? Based on recent history, we have to hope they have learned some things. But I’m not holding my breath.

 

[KMY_Amber]

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

I agree with all of these bad decisions.

And yes, would have been better to make a decision on Micah earlier, though if it would have been too soon, surely we fans would have complained about that. "Jerry's made a knee-jerk decision; he should have been more patient and had more discussions with his agent."

 

[ArtClink]

The depressing part of your list of bad decisions made by this FO (all great points), are that this is who the FO has been for three decades with little variation. So, consider these questions for the FO as we look to 2026 and beyond.

1. Have they learned anything in 30 seasons?
2. Do they ever mimic the FO strategies and power hierarchy of the elite NFL franchises?
3. Has winning at all costs finally become their top priority over maximizing profits?

If the answer to all three questions are no, then I expect more of the same into perpetuity.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Whatever anyone thinks about the 2025 off-season, it has to be better than the 2024 off-season where Jerry just sat on his hands and did nothing to make this team better. The 2025 off-season and regular season saw this FO make a lot of decisions. The hiring of a new HC, a lot of trades, a few FAs, the draft, cuts, etc.

Which decisions made by this FO were good and which ones were bad? And which decisions remain to be seen whether good or bad?

THE GOOD DECISIONS

• Drafting G Tyler Booker. 2025 first rd pick. He’s been very good and has lots of upside. Can be a key ingredient for this OL for the next decade.
• Drafting DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. 2025 2nd rounder. After a slow start DE has steadily improved. If he can add some more power he has great upside.
• Signing FA RB Javonte Williams. I was wrong about this guy. He has been a true weapon with power and toughness. Can we keep him?
• Trade for George Pickens. Acquired for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Except for the bad game in Det, Pickens has been outstanding. But…it can’t be a good trade unless the Cowboys can find a way to keep him long term at a price they can live with. This could turn into a “rent-a-player” for year if they can’t keep him.
• Trade for Quinnen Williams. QW is a stud DT acquired for a conditional 1stand 2nd rd pick. Williams gives this team a dominant DT. Wish he were a little younger. He’s 28. But hopefully we get at least 5 more good years.

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN - GOOD OR BAD

• Hiring Brian Schottenheimer. He deserves a chance to prove himself. It’s still too early to decide. But in a league where there is no cap on what you pay coaches we hire another unproven guy to lead this team? Like Gailey, Campo, and Garrett before him. Hope he works out. We will see.
• The Micah Parsons Trade. It was good to get two #1 picks. Kenny Clark was a nice pickup although he’s almost 30. Still depends on what we do with the remaining pick we have after acquiring Q. Williams.
• Drafting CB Shavon Revell. 3rd rd pick has first round talent. But why must we always draft guys with serious injury history? Revell didn’t play until November. And he’s still a big ?

What do you think about all the decisions made so far this year? What did I leave out? What do you disagree with?

Very good write out, extending players contracts that we may have waited on, that's a big one for me. Ferg and Bland hmmm

 

[Coogiguy03]

The Micah trade is so complicated on many levels. If you draft a DE with your or GB’s 1st rounder and he consistently goes to the pro bowl, you effectively got a pro bowl DE and a pro bowl DT for Micah. But the if they don’t get the defense to where it was in 2021-2023, was that enough?

Or if you spend your free money and facelift the entire D with above average players, did you get enough for a future hall of famer? What if the D is a lot better?

Micah is extraordinarily valuable to an already good D like Quinn had in Dallas or what they have in Green Bay. He has way less value to a D like Dallas has where teams can just avoid Micah and crash other areas. Even if the draft picks bust, “well we got a ton of cap space too.” And if the picks are solid and Quinnen plays 6 years for the Cowboys, “yeah but HoFer > some pro bowlers.”

Unless Micah has a career ending injury or goes to prison for importing illegal amounts of Japanese stinky tofu, I don’t believe there will be a clear answer to this anytime in the next 5 years. But it won’t stop posters constantly stamping it confirmed one side or the other every week until the end of time.

Every D we draft in the 1st will be compared to Micah pretty much, I'm just ready for it to be over

 

[Pass2Run]

Every D we draft in the 1st will be compared to Micah pretty much, I'm just ready for it to be over

I'm just glad the Micah era is over. It was so tiring, it made me want to take a nap.

 

[Bobhaze]

The depressing part of your list of bad decisions made by this FO (all great points), are that this is who the FO has been for three decades with little variation. So, consider these questions for the FO as we look to 2026 and beyond.

1. Have they learned anything in 30 seasons?
2. Do they ever mimic the FO strategies and power hierarchy of the elite NFL franchises?
3. Has winning at all costs finally become their top priority over maximizing profits?

If the answer to all three questions are no, then I expect more of the same into perpetuity.

This makes a lot of sense Art. And like you, I’m always wondering - will the Jones boys ever learn? The hubris and arrogance is so overwhelming it makes it so hard to “believe” in anything they do.

The most true statement you made is the last - if those guys haven’t learned anything and are not willing or able to change how they operate, there is no reason to believe we will get anything better than what we’ve been getting.

Like the old saying, “When people tell you who they are, believe them.”

 

[maryquality]

The depressing part of your list of bad decisions made by this FO (all great points), are that this is who the FO has been for three decades with little variation. So, consider these questions for the FO as we look to 2026 and beyond.

1. Have they learned anything in 30 seasons?
2. Do they ever mimic the FO strategies and power hierarchy of the elite NFL franchises?
3. Has winning at all costs finally become their top priority over maximizing profits?

If the answer to all three questions are no, then I expect more of the same into perpetuity.

Exactly!!!

 

[Coogiguy03]

I'm just glad the Micah era is over. It was so tiring, it made me want to take a nap.

the way you snore I pitty anyone around you!!!!

 

[maryquality]

Whatever anyone thinks about the 2025 off-season, it has to be better than the 2024 off-season where Jerry just sat on his hands and did nothing to make this team better. The 2025 off-season and regular season saw this FO make a lot of decisions. The hiring of a new HC, a lot of trades, a few FAs, the draft, cuts, etc.

Which decisions made by this FO were good and which ones were bad? And which decisions remain to be seen whether good or bad?

THE GOOD DECISIONS

• Drafting G Tyler Booker. 2025 first rd pick. He’s been very good and has lots of upside. Can be a key ingredient for this OL for the next decade.
• Drafting DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. 2025 2nd rounder. After a slow start DE has steadily improved. If he can add some more power he has great upside.
• Signing FA RB Javonte Williams. I was wrong about this guy. He has been a true weapon with power and toughness. Can we keep him?
• Trade for George Pickens. Acquired for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Except for the bad game in Det, Pickens has been outstanding. But…it can’t be a good trade unless the Cowboys can find a way to keep him long term at a price they can live with. This could turn into a “rent-a-player” for year if they can’t keep him.
• Trade for Quinnen Williams. QW is a stud DT acquired for a conditional 1stand 2nd rd pick. Williams gives this team a dominant DT. Wish he were a little younger. He’s 28. But hopefully we get at least 5 more good years.

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN - GOOD OR BAD

• Hiring Brian Schottenheimer. He deserves a chance to prove himself. It’s still too early to decide. But in a league where there is no cap on what you pay coaches we hire another unproven guy to lead this team? Like Gailey, Campo, and Garrett before him. Hope he works out. We will see.
• The Micah Parsons Trade. It was good to get two #1 picks. Kenny Clark was a nice pickup although he’s almost 30. Still depends on what we do with the remaining pick we have after acquiring Q. Williams.
• Drafting CB Shavon Revell. 3rd rd pick has first round talent. But why must we always draft guys with serious injury history? Revell didn’t play until November. And he’s still a big ?

What do you think about all the decisions made so far this year? What did I leave out? What do you disagree with?

All good points. Pretty much sums it up for me as well. I would add 1 bad decision, but this decision was made in 1995 ( I think) and has been a bad decision every year. And that is having Rowdy as our mascot!!! He's got to go!!

 

[Bobhaze]

All good points. Pretty much sums it up for me as well. I would add 1 bad decision, but this decision was made in 1995 ( I think) and has been a bad decision every year. And that is having Rowdy as our mascot!!! He's got to go!!

100% agree Mary! Since Rowdy was brought in, we have 5 playoff wins in 30 seasons!

#Rowdymustgo

 

[fivetwos]

The depressing part of your list of bad decisions made by this FO (all great points), are that this is who the FO has been for three decades with little variation. So, consider these questions for the FO as we look to 2026 and beyond.

1. Have they learned anything in 30 seasons?
2. Do they ever mimic the FO strategies and power hierarchy of the elite NFL franchises?
3. Has winning at all costs finally become their top priority over maximizing profits?

If the answer to all three questions are no, then I expect more of the same into perpetuity.

They have their own plan (whatever that is, I can’t figure out but ok) but it’s all over the map. They do things their way, they fail consistently, yet change nothing and carry an arrogance as if they are championship contenders annually.

They rely on mid round draft picks to become quality starters, and immediately. The only pro sports team (not just the NFL) that doesn’t use FA for starting players. Why? They blame the cap, but what they are doing in that case is admitting they can’t manage it correctly.

Yes, we know the “cap is real,” but why can other teams manage to sign significant starters?

I dunno, just when something doesn’t work for several decades, maybe change it up a bit, but they think too much of themselves for that to happen.

 

[Ironicalicon]

Whatever anyone thinks about the 2025 off-season, it has to be better than the 2024 off-season where Jerry just sat on his hands and did nothing to make this team better. The 2025 off-season and regular season saw this FO make a lot of decisions. The hiring of a new HC, a lot of trades, a few FAs, the draft, cuts, etc.

Which decisions made by this FO were good and which ones were bad? And which decisions remain to be seen whether good or bad?

THE GOOD DECISIONS

• Drafting G Tyler Booker. 2025 first rd pick. He’s been very good and has lots of upside. Can be a key ingredient for this OL for the next decade.
• Drafting DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. 2025 2nd rounder. After a slow start DE has steadily improved. If he can add some more power he has great upside.
• Signing FA RB Javonte Williams. I was wrong about this guy. He has been a true weapon with power and toughness. Can we keep him?
• Trade for George Pickens. Acquired for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Except for the bad game in Det, Pickens has been outstanding. But…it can’t be a good trade unless the Cowboys can find a way to keep him long term at a price they can live with. This could turn into a “rent-a-player” for year if they can’t keep him.
• Trade for Quinnen Williams. QW is a stud DT acquired for a conditional 1stand 2nd rd pick. Williams gives this team a dominant DT. Wish he were a little younger. He’s 28. But hopefully we get at least 5 more good years.

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN - GOOD OR BAD

• Hiring Brian Schottenheimer. He deserves a chance to prove himself. It’s still too early to decide. But in a league where there is no cap on what you pay coaches we hire another unproven guy to lead this team? Like Gailey, Campo, and Garrett before him. Hope he works out. We will see.
• The Micah Parsons Trade. It was good to get two #1 picks. Kenny Clark was a nice pickup although he’s almost 30. Still depends on what we do with the remaining pick we have after acquiring Q. Williams.
• Drafting CB Shavon Revell. 3rd rd pick has first round talent. But why must we always draft guys with serious injury history? Revell didn’t play until November. And he’s still a big ?

What do you think about all the decisions made so far this year? What did I leave out? What do you disagree with?

It's as if they do nothing one year just so they can do a little more the next just to say, "Look how much more we did this year than last!"

 

[ShortRound]

I mean the curtain situation at ATT alone should tell you everything you need to know about Jerry.

 

[ArtClink]

They have their own plan (whatever that is, I can’t figure out but ok) but it’s all over the map. They do things their way, they fail consistently, yet change nothing and carry an arrogance as if they are championship contenders annually.

They rely on mid round draft picks to become quality starters, and immediately. The only pro sports team (not just the NFL) that doesn’t use FA for starting players. Why? They blame the cap, but what they are doing in that case is admitting they can’t manage it correctly.

Yes, we know the “cap is real,” but why can other teams manage to sign significant starters?

I dunno, just when something doesn’t work for several decades, maybe change it up a bit, but they think too much of themselves for that to happen.

Excellent post and you make many good points. This is why the "Jerry really wants to win" narrative is such folly and we have 30 seasons of evidence. I really wish Jerry had bought the Eagles instead.

 

[Stash]

Whatever anyone thinks about the 2025 off-season, it has to be better than the 2024 off-season where Jerry just sat on his hands and did nothing to make this team better. The 2025 off-season and regular season saw this FO make a lot of decisions. The hiring of a new HC, a lot of trades, a few FAs, the draft, cuts, etc.

Which decisions made by this FO were good and which ones were bad? And which decisions remain to be seen whether good or bad?

THE GOOD DECISIONS

• Drafting G Tyler Booker. 2025 first rd pick. He’s been very good and has lots of upside. Can be a key ingredient for this OL for the next decade.
• Drafting DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. 2025 2nd rounder. After a slow start DE has steadily improved. If he can add some more power he has great upside.
• Signing FA RB Javonte Williams. I was wrong about this guy. He has been a true weapon with power and toughness. Can we keep him?
• Trade for George Pickens. Acquired for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Except for the bad game in Det, Pickens has been outstanding. But…it can’t be a good trade unless the Cowboys can find a way to keep him long term at a price they can live with. This could turn into a “rent-a-player” for year if they can’t keep him.
• Trade for Quinnen Williams. QW is a stud DT acquired for a conditional 1stand 2nd rd pick. Williams gives this team a dominant DT. Wish he were a little younger. He’s 28. But hopefully we get at least 5 more good years.

THE BAD DECISIONS

• Dragging out the Micah Parsons negotiations. Whatever Dallas chose to do with MP, by dragging out the contract process as Jerry always does with his “stars”, it hurt the team to wait until Sept to trade their best asset. Bad decision to wait. The actual trade remains to be seen if it was good or not.
• Trade for LB Kenneth Murray. Acquired Murray for a 6th round pick. Murray has been a disaster. And he’s the 7th highest paid player on this team. Ouch.
• Trade for CB Kaiir Elam. Elam was acquired from Buffalo for a 5th and 7th rd pick. He was so bad, the Cowboys just cut him at midseason.
• The decision to hire DC Matt Eberflus. As is usually the case in Dallas, the HC doesn’t get to pick his coordinators. Eberflus was a Jerry hire.
• The Jonathan Mingo trade (yes it was 2024) The only reason I mention it is Mingo is still on this team. We gave up a 4th round pick for essentially a backup WR.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN - GOOD OR BAD

• Hiring Brian Schottenheimer. He deserves a chance to prove himself. It’s still too early to decide. But in a league where there is no cap on what you pay coaches we hire another unproven guy to lead this team? Like Gailey, Campo, and Garrett before him. Hope he works out. We will see.
• The Micah Parsons Trade. It was good to get two #1 picks. Kenny Clark was a nice pickup although he’s almost 30. Still depends on what we do with the remaining pick we have after acquiring Q. Williams.
• Drafting CB Shavon Revell. 3rd rd pick has first round talent. But why must we always draft guys with serious injury history? Revell didn’t play until November. And he’s still a big ?

What do you think about all the decisions made so far this year? What did I leave out? What do you disagree with?

You left out the Daron Bland contract extension. It didn’t need to happen this year and so far it looks like a big mistake.

 

[DasTex]

Good write up

Right now I'd say the good out weighs the bad...especially with the unks in Revel and draft capital. If Revel hits and they can get a top LB/S with the pick....it's a big year in terms of setting up future years.

 

[ArtClink]

This makes a lot of sense Art. And like you, I’m always wondering - will the Jones boys ever learn? The hubris and arrogance is so overwhelming it makes it so hard to “believe” in anything they do.

The most true statement you made is the last - if those guys haven’t learned anything and are not willing or able to change how they operate, there is no reason to believe we will get anything better than what we’ve been getting.

Like the old saying, “When people tell you who they are, believe them.”

Agreed. A leopard can't change it's spots is another apropos.

It's broken and there is no one coming to save us, not even the grim reaper when Jerry dies in 10 - 15 years.