Following a disappointing season and postseason elimination in 2023, many assumed that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after the 2024 campaign. Despite retaining McCarthy, Jones did not offer the Super Bowl-winning coach a new deal, fueling speculation that McCarthy was on borrowed time in Dallas.
Now, even with the Cowboys sitting at 4-7 and optimism fading due to quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury, Jones appears open to keeping McCarthy beyond 2024. On a recent appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Jones stated, “I don’t think that’s crazy at all,” regarding extending McCarthy’s tenure (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). He added, “Listen, Mike McCarthy is an outstanding coach… This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. Bottom line is that no place in my body language or anything else have you seen indications about what we’re going to be doing relative to this [coaching] staff at the end of this year. And we shouldn’t. We got a lot of football left.”
McCarthy’s Rocky Tenure in Dallas
Mike McCarthy was hired in 2020 to replace Jason Garrett, arriving in Dallas with the primary mission of delivering postseason success. However, McCarthy’s start in Dallas did not go as planned, as the Cowboys finished his first season 6-10. Each of the next three years showed improvement, with Dallas posting identical 12-5 records. Despite those regular season successes, the Cowboys have consistently fallen short in the playoffs, with McCarthy managing just one postseason victory since taking over. This lack of playoff success has left McCarthy’s future uncertain, especially given the weight of expectations in Dallas.
Jones’ Vote of Confidence—But Is It Enough?
Jones’ comments signal a willingness to maintain stability on the sidelines, at least for the time being. While optimism for a playoff run is low with Prescott injured, Jones’ faith in McCarthy suggests that the head coach may still have a shot at securing a second contract. An improved showing over the final stretch of the season would significantly help McCarthy’s case, as he aims to prove his ability to keep the Cowboys competitive even amid adversity.
The Cowboys’ season has been up-and-down, but recent reinforcements at key positions could provide a spark that McCarthy needs to generate momentum. If the Cowboys can find a way to achieve consistency and demonstrate growth on both sides of the ball, Jones may feel inclined to extend McCarthy’s tenure rather than opt for another coaching change.
Future Challenges Looming
Beyond this season, the Cowboys face several critical decisions, from roster-building to salary cap management. Before addressing free agency and the draft, however, Jones and the Cowboys’ front office will need to decide on the coaching staff’s future. At 61 years old, McCarthy is certainly not at the end of his coaching career, but the next few weeks may determine if his future remains in Dallas or if the Cowboys look for a fresh start.
For now, McCarthy remains at the helm, with a slim chance to pull off a late-season turnaround that could solidify his standing. Jerry Jones has left the door open, but whether McCarthy walks through it will depend largely on how the Cowboys finish out a challenging 2024 season. A little consistency and a strong finish might just be enough for McCarthy to continue leading America’s Team into 2025.