Dallas Cowboys Legend Jimmy Johnson Makes Surprising Admission About The Philadelphia Eagles

Jimmy Johnson, the former Dallas Cowboys head coach, revealed his connection to the Eagles© X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Jimmy Johnson spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and turned them into a Super Bowl-winning team, but his connection to their longtime rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, was not only for football. Years after leaving Dallas, the Hall of Fame coach revealed that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie had made several attempts to bring him to Philadelphia. But he never accepted the offer, choosing a different path after his Cowboys exit. His admission gave a glimpse into a friendship that survived one of the NFL's most familiar rivalries.

Jimmy Johnson opens up about Philadelphia Eagles fandom

“I'm actually a Philadelphia Eagles fan,” Johnson told Hard Rock Bet in a clip shared on Instagram.

He explained the connection, pointing to his friendship with Lurie, who took ownership of the Eagles in 1994.

“He came down to South Florida three different times trying to hire me. I gave it some thought,” Johnson said.

Lurie had a clear reason to pursue the coach. Johnson had transformed the Cowboys from a 1-15 team in 1989 into Super Bowl champions in 1992 and 1993. Philadelphia had not won an NFL championship since 1960, and Lurie wanted someone capable of changing the team's fortunes. The timing followed Johnson's split with Dallas owner Jerry Jones. Their relationship had broken down over credit and clashing egos, bringing an end to a partnership that produced back-to-back championships. 

Johnson could have taken his experience to a division rival, but he chose television instead, working as an analyst for FOX Sports before returning to coaching with the Miami Dolphins in 1996. His affection for Philadelphia, but it did not mean it had become his top team. “Hey, right now I'm a Miami Hurricanes fan. That's the number one team for me,” Johnson added, making his priorities clear.

Johnson maintained his friendship with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie

The coaching opportunity passed, but the relationship between Johnson and Lurie continued. The Eagles owner even personally congratulated Johnson when he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Johnson had defended Philadelphia's future in 2023, too, when Jones questioned the team's prospects. Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Johnson pointed to the Eagles' draft capital and young talent before predicting they would remain competitive for years.

“I think the Philadelphia Eagles are gonna be good for a long time,” he said.

That confidence now comes with a fresh twist after Philadelphia's 38-21 loss to Dallas on Monday Night Football.  The Cowboys finished with 416 total yards, including 204 rushing yards, while Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes. The defeat dropped the Eagles to 2-5, with Dallas improving to 3-4.

Johnson's own history with the Cowboys remains complicated, but time has softened the old dispute with Jones. When Dallas inducted him into its Ring of Honor in 2023, he reflected on their achievements together. “The two of us, working together, made history,” Johnson said.