1989 Dallas Cowboys season

30th season in franchise history, first under ownership of Jerry Jones August 2023 March 2026 Dallas Cowboys 1989 1–15 5th NFC East Jimmy Johnson Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson Jerry Jones Texas Stadium Did not qualify None Cowboys seasons The 1989 season was the Dallas Cowboys' 30th in the National Football League (NFL), their first under the ownership of Jerry Jones, their 19th playing their home games at Texas Stadium and their first season under head coach Jimmy Johnson. It was the team's first time in franchise history that Tom Landry was not the head coach, as he was fired by Arkansas oil executive and new team owner Jerry Jones on February 25, 1989. Landry served as Cowboys' head coach since the team's inaugural 1960 season and led the team to 5 Super Bowl appearances, winning 2 of them in his 29 year tenure. This was the first season since 1974 and 1975 season when Randy and Danny White were not on the team's opening day roster. They failed to improve on their 3–13 record from 1988, finishing at 1–15 and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. At the time, the 1989 Cowboys were the second team to finish 1–15 since the NFL adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978; the other was the New Orleans Saints in 1980. That list doubled in the next two seasons, thanks to the New England Patriots in 1990 and Indianapolis Colts in 1991. Jimmy Johnson had compiled a 44–4 record in his last 4 years as coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes. After the season, Garry Cobb retired. Offseason NFL draft 1989 NFL draft 1989 Dallas Cowboys 1 1 Troy Aikman QB UCLA yes yes yes 2 29 Steve Wisniewski OG Penn State He was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Raiders no yes 2 39 Daryl Johnston FB Syracuse yes yes 3 57 Mark Stepnoski C Pittsburgh yes yes 3 68 Rhondy Weston DE Florida no 4 85 Tony Tolbert DE UTEP yes yes 5 113 Keith Jennings TE Clemson yes 5 119 Willis Crockett LB Georgia Tech yes 5 125 Jeff Roth DT Florida no 7 168 Kevin Peterson LB Northwestern no 8 196 Charvez Foger RB Nevada no 9 224 Tim Jackson DB Nebraska yes 10 252 Rod Carter LB Miami (FL) no 11 280 Randy Shannon LB Miami (FL) yes 12 308 Scott Ankrom WR TCU yes Undrafted free agents + 1989 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeScott AdamsTackleGeorgiaEric BrownDefensive BackSavannah StateShawn DanielsFullbackBowling GreenJohn DuffTight endNew MexicoSean SchellerDefensive endStanford Summary Besides the entry of Johnson and Jones, the Cowboys made pre-season headlines by drafting UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman with the first pick in the NFL Draft. Curiously, they also drafted quarterback Steve Walsh later in the NFL's supplemental draft (in doing so, they gave up a number one pick in the 1990 draft). Walsh had played quarterback for Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami and led the ‘Canes to a 23–1 record as a starter and one national title. Walsh and Aikman battled for the starting quarterback job in the pre-season, with Aikman winning the nod when the regular season began. Expectations were raised when the Cowboys finished with a strong 3–1 preseason record. On opening day, the Cowboys were beaten by the New Orleans Saints, 28–0, and went on to finish 1–15 for the season. Aikman broke the index finger on his non-throwing hand in week four and Steve Walsh started the next five games, including the team’s only win, before Aikman returned to finish the season. Two of the few bright spots of the season were linebacker Eugene Lockhart, who led the league in tackles, and James Dixon, who was one of the NFL’s leaders in kickoff return average. 1989 was the first season in the history of Monday Night Football that did not feature at least one Cowboys game. The Cowboys also played a fifth-place schedule for the first time. Both of these occurrences would happen in 1990 as well. The only win by the Cowboys during the season was against the rival Redskins in Washington. Though the season seemed a complete failure, it would prove to be the prelude to many great years ahead. Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin, future centerpieces of the Cowboys’ 1992 to 1995 dynasty, headlined this team. During the season, star running back Herschel Walker would be traded to the Minnesota Vikings for multiple players and draft picks. By finishing 1–15 they would have received the top spot in the 1990 NFL draft; however, the pick was forfeited because the Cowboys drafted Walsh in the Supplemental Draft. Later, they would trade and draft a running back out of Florida named Emmitt Smith, with one of the many draft choices obtained from the Vikings in the Herschel Walker trade. Other notable additions to the team that year include center Mark Stepnoski, fullback Daryl Johnston, and defensive end Tony Tolbert. The two matchups between the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (including one on Thanksgiving) were particularly hostile and became known as the Bounty Bowls. The 1989 season was the final NFL season for the legendary Ed "Too Tall" Jones and longtime offensive lineman Tom Rafferty. It was also the last season in a Cowboys uniform for stalwart cornerback Everson Walls, who went to the division rival Giants and helped them win Super Bowl XXV. The Cowboys’ futility matched that of the 1980 New Orleans Saints as they became the second NFL team to end a season at 1–15. Roster Dallas Cowboys 1989 roster Quarterbacks  8 Troy Aikman 15 Babe Laufenberg  3 Steve Walsh Running backs 48 Daryl Johnston FB 26 Paul Palmer 39 Broderick Sargent FB 28 Curtis Stewart 25 Junior Tautalatasi Wide receivers 81 Scott Ankrom 82 Cornell Burbage 86 James Dixon KR 80 Bernard Ford 87 Derrick Shepard KR/PR Tight ends 85 Steve Folsom 84 Keith Jennings Offensive linemen 66 Kevin Gogan T 68 Crawford Ker G 61 Nate Newton G 64 Tom Rafferty C 70 Mark Stepnoski C 71 Mark Tuinei T 65 Bob White C 78 Dave Widell T 76 Jeff Zimmerman T Defensive linemen 79 Willie Broughton DT 75 Jon Carter DT 60 Dean Hamel DT 77 Jim Jeffcoat DE 72 Ed Jones DE 73 Danny Noonan DT 62 Tony Tolbert DELinebackers 55 Jack Del Rio OLB 99 David Howard OLB 56 Eugene Lockhart MLB 51 Ken Norton Jr. OLB 94 Randy Shannon OLB 54 Jesse Solomon MLB Defensive backs 36 Vince Albritton SS 40 Bill Bates SS 38 Ron Francis CB 45 Manny Hendrix CB 30 Issiac Holt CB 20 Ray Horton FS 24 Everson Walls CB 23 Robert Williams CB Special teams  4 Mike Saxon P  6 Luis Zendejas KReserve lists 90 Willis Crockett LB (IR) 10px 52 Jeff Hurd LB (IR) 10px -- Chad Hennings DT (Military Reserve) 10px 88 Michael Irvin WR (IR) 10px 83 Kelvin Martin WR/PR (IR) 10px 35 Kevin Scott RB (IR) 10px 95 Mark Walen DT (IR) 10px Practice squad -- J. J. Birden WR -- Corris Ervin CB -- Charles Henry TE Rookies in italics 47 active, 7 inactive, 3 practice squad Herschel Walker Herschel Walker trade In 1989, at the height of Herschel Walker's NFL career, the Cowboys traded him to the Minnesota Vikings for a total of five players (LB Jesse Solomon, CB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart) and six draft picks (which led to Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson). This was judged to be one of the turning points in the return of the Cowboys to the top echelon of the NFL. Walker's trade was widely perceived as an exceptionally poor move considering what the Vikings had to give up in order to get him, and remains one of the most frequently vilified roster moves of the team's history. The Vikings coaches reluctantly accepted Walker after the trade and never totally used the tool they had been given. Scout.com says "Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case)". http://min.scout.com/2/11653.html History: Walker Trade Scout.com 2001-06-20 2008-01-29 Viking Update Staff https://web.archive.org/web/20080110132609/http://min.scout.com/2/11653.html 10 January 2008 live Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1September 10at New Orleans Saints L 0–280–1Louisiana Superdomehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100nor.htm Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints - September 10th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 2September 17at Atlanta Falcons L 21–270–2Atlanta–Fulton County Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909170atl.htm Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons - September 17th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 3September 24Washington RedskinsL 7–300–3Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240dal.htm Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys - September 24th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 4October 1New York GiantsL 13–300–4Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910010dal.htm New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys - October 1st, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 5October 8at Green Bay PackersL 13–310–5Lambeau Fieldhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910080gnb.htm Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers - October 8th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 6October 15San Francisco 49ers L 14–310–6Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910150dal.htm San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - October 15th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 7October 22at Kansas City Chiefs L 28–360–7Arrowhead Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910220kan.htm Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs - October 22nd, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 8October 29Phoenix CardinalsL 10–190–8Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910290dal.htm Phoenix Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys - October 29th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 9November 5at Washington RedskinsW 13–31–8Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911050was.htm Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - November 5th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 10November 12at Phoenix CardinalsL 20–241–9Sun Devil Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911120crd.htm Dallas Cowboys at Phoenix Cardinals - November 12th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 11November 19Miami DolphinsL 14–171–10Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911190dal.htm Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys - November 19th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 12November 23Philadelphia EaglesL 0–271–11Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911230dal.htm Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - November 23rd, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 13December 3Los Angeles Rams L 31–351–12Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912030dal.htm Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys - December 3rd, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 14December 10at Philadelphia EaglesL 10–201–13Veterans Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912100phi.htm Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - December 10th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 15December 16at New York GiantsL 0–151–14Giants Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912160nyg.htm Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - December 16th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap 16December 24Green Bay PackersL 10–201–15Texas Stadiumhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912240dal.htm Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys - December 24th, 1989 Pro-Football-Reference.com October 23, 2025Recap Standings NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 292 Season summary Week 5: at Green Bay Packers Dallas Cowboys 1989 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 5: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers October 8, 1989 1:00 p.m. CST Cowboys 6 7 0 0 Packers 10 7 7 7 Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin Overcast, 39 F C Jerry Markbreit CBS Tim Brant and Dan Jiggetts First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DAL – Steve Walsh – 18/29, 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT GB – Don Majkowski – 21/32, 313 yards, 4 TD Top rushers DAL – Herschel Walker – 12 rushes, 44 yards GB – Brent Fullwood – 28 rushes, 119 yards Top receivers DAL – Michael Irvin – 6 receptions, 72 yards, TD GB – Sterling Sharpe – 6 receptions, 132 yards, TD Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs Dallas Cowboys 1989 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 7: Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 22 12:00 p.m. CDT Cowboys 7 7 0 14 Chiefs 14 13 9 0 Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 76,841 Clear, 63 F C Jim Tunney CBS Tim Brant and Dan Jiggetts Recap First quarter KC – Christian Okoye 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 8:17. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:57. DAL – Paul Palmer 63-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 6:20. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:57. KC – Christian Okoye 13-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 0:36. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:44. Second quarter KC – James Saxon 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 10:13. Chiefs 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:54. DAL – James Dixon 97-yard kickoff return (Roger Ruzek kick), 9:57. Chiefs 21–14. KC – Nick Lowery 43-yard field goal, 1:56. Chiefs 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:10. KC – Nick Lowery 27-yard field goal, 0:03. Chiefs 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 1:04. Third quarter KC – Punt blocked by Rob McGovern out of bounds in end zone for a Safety, 10:52. Chiefs 29–14. KC – Steve Pelluer 5-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 2:21. Chiefs 36–14. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 5:00. Fourth quarter DAL – Darryl Clack 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 10:15. Chiefs 36–21. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 7:06. DAL – Steve Folsom 4-yard pass from Steve Walsh (Roger Ruzek kick), 3:48. Chiefs 36–28. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:33. Top passers DAL – Steve Walsh – 14/29, 166 yards, TD KC – Steve DeBerg – 17/22, 237 yards Top rushers DAL – Paul Palmer – 9 rushes, 85 yards, TD KC – Christian Okoye – 33 rushes, 170 yards, 2 TD Top receivers DAL – Kelvin Martin – 4 receptions, 52 yards KC – Emile Harry – 3 receptions, 64 yards Week 12 vs Eagles Dallas Cowboys 1989 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Twelve: Philadelphia Eagles (7–4) at Dallas Cowboys (1–10) November 23, 1989 Thursday 4:00 p.m. Eagles 0 10 14 3 Cowboys 0 0 0 0 Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas 54,444 42 F C Gene Barth CBS Pat Summerall and John Madden Box Score, Box Score First quarter No scoring Second quarter PHI – Cris Carter 6-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 13:37. Eagles 7–0. PHI – Roger Ruzek 36-yard field goal, 2:46. Eagles 10–0. Third quarter PHI – Cris Carter 18-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick), 11:27. Eagles 17–0. PHI – Keith Byars 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick), 6:52. Eagles 24–0. Fourth quarter PHI – Roger Ruzek 38-yard field goal, 14:56. Eagles 27–0. Top passers PHI – Randall Cunningham – 21/33, 234 yards, 2 TD DAL – Troy Aikman – 7/21, 54 yards, 3 INT Top rushers PHI – Randall Cunningham – 5 rushes, 46 yards DAL – Broderick Sargent – 3 rushes, 44 yards Top receivers PHI – Keith Byars – 8 receptions, 90 yards DAL – Derrick Shepard – 3 receptions, 25 yards "The Bounty Bowl" Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles autocollapse Sunday, December 10 1:00 p.m. Cowboys 0 3 7 0 Eagles 0 17 3 0 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 24 °F °C 1, wind 9 mph km/h knots Jerry Seeman CBS Verne Lundquist & Terry Bradshaw Pro Football Reference; Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles – December 10th, 1989 Second quarter PHI – Cris Carter 4 yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 7–0 PHI – Cris Carter 13 yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Roger Ruzek kick) – Eagles 14–0 DAL – Luis Zendejas 47 yard field goal – Eagles 14–3 PHI – Roger Ruzek 29 yard field goal – Eagles 17–3 Third quarter PHI – Roger Ruzek 46 yard field goal – Eagles 20–3 DAL – Daryl Johnston 18 yard pass from Troy Aikman (Luis Zendejas kick) – Eagles 20–10 Cowboys Troy Aikman 17/30, 152 Yds, TD 6 Rush, 60 Yds James Dixon 6 Rec, 69 Yds Eagles Randall Cunningham 17/31, 170 Yds, TD Anthony Toney 17 Rush, 49 Yds Keith Jackson 3 Rec, 57 Yds Publications The Football Encyclopedia 0-312-11435-4 Total Football 0-06-270170-3 Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes 0-446-51950-2 References External links 1989 Dallas Cowboys Pro Football Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Official Site Category:Dallas Cowboys seasons Dallas Cowboys Dallas