Stephen A. Smith predicts Dallas Cowboys will win Super Bowl in next 10 years

Stephen A. Smith appears to be softening his animus towards the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

The ESPN personality and self-admitted troll of all things Cowboys believes the once-proud America’s Team will again hoist the famed Lombardi Trophy in the next decade, though it won’t happen anytime soon.

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“I think the Cowboys will win a Super Bowl within the next 10 years,” Smith said during Wednesday’s First Take on ESPN. “I don’t believe it’ll be in the next five, but they have been so pathetic for so long, I’ve gotten to the point where I actually have sympathy. And I want Jerry Jones to win another Super Bowl before he departs.”

The 82-year-old Jones has been the Cowboys eccentric owner and general manager since buying the franchise in 1989, and has been part of three Super Bowl wins during that span.

Of course, it’s been nearly 30 years since Dallas last managed to end the season as Super Bowl champions, when Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, and Deion Sanders sparked a Barry Switzer-coached Cowboys to the Super Bowl XXX victory to cap the 1995 season.

Dallas (7-10) missed the NFL Playoffs for the fourth time in the last six seasons and faces uncertainty in 2025 with head coach Mike McCarthy‘s contract expiring Wednesday.

Smith cited his longstanding friendship with Jones for his hope Dallas returns to the top of NFL in the next decade.

“That’s my buddy. But this year he’s been off the reservation. … I love Jerry Jones, but he’s been off the reservation. … It’s all in fun,” Smith continued. “I only go after the Cowboys because I can’t stand their fan base, but even that’s all in fun. I even take pictures with Cowboys fans, I let them troll me and I troll them back. … I’m not being vicious in any way. When I was concerned with Jerry Jones, I was dead-serious about it. Because I’ve seen slippage, and I’m very concerned about it to be quite honest with you. … I’m not joking about stuff like that. But I’ll tell you this, Jerry Jones has a friend in me. I have a lot of love for Jerry Jones.”

Mike McCarthy: Dallas Cowboys deny Chicago Bears permission to interview

The Dallas Cowboys denied the Chicago Bears permission to interview Mike McCarthy for their head coach position, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The decision comes one day after the Bears reportedly reached out to request a conversation.

McCarthy entered this season in the final year of his contract, but the Cowboys still have an exclusive negotiating period with him through Jan. 14. Prior to that date, another team has to request permission from the franchise to speak with him about an opening.

The Bears requested permission to speak with McCarthy on Monday, but were still waiting on a response as of Tuesday afternoon, ESPN reported. Now, the decision is in, and all eyes are on whether an extension is officially in the works for the Cowboys head coach.

Of course, Chicago is familiar with McCarthy from his time in the NFC North. He was the Green Bay Packers’ head coach from 2006-18, going 19-7 against the Bears while totaling a 125-77-2 overall record during that time. He also helped the franchise to a Super Bowl XLV title with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

Nick Schultz contributed to this report.