Mike McCarthy has helped guide the Cowboys to consecutive 12-win seasons, but if the team fails to make any noise in the playoffs, some have wondered if the head coach will be afforded a long leash. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seemed to shut down that sentiment during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas yesterday, with the executive giving his head coach a vote of confidence.
“No. I don’t even want to … No. That’s it,” Jones said (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “I don’t need to go into all the pluses or minuses. I’ve got a lot more to evaluate Mike McCarthy on than this playoff game.
“I can’t tell you how much confidence I’ve got in Mike and our coaching staff of being on top of where we are with this team right now. They’ve got every nuance. They understand every frailty that we might have or we might have shown Sunday [in the loss to Washington]. They’ve got everything in their grasp and in their understanding, and I have complete confidence in this coaching staff. It’s outstanding. We’ve got a great chance to go down there and have success.”
McCarthy’s first season in Dallas was a dud, and following a 12-win campaign in 2021, the team proceeded to lose their first playoff game. The Cowboys are in the postseason following another 12-win season, but as Archer points out, that kind of success hasn’t always led to job security in Dallas. Chan Gailey was the last Cowboys head coach to lead the team to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, but he was let go following a second-straight playoff disappointment. Jones has since admitted that the Gailey firing was a mistake, and it appears he won’t make a rash decision on McCarthy.
As ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently wrote, in recent years, we can take Jones at his word when it comes to head coach proclamations. However, the writer also cautions that an ugly loss to Tampa Bay on Monday could change the executive’s mind. In fact, sources tell Graziano that they wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas ends up making a change at head coach.
McCarthy still has two years remaining on his contract. The 59-year-old previously had a long stint in Green Bay that saw him win 125 regular season games and 10 playoff contests, including a victory in Super Bowl XLV. The Cowboys, meanwhile, haven’t made it past the Divisional Round of the playoffs since 1995.
I feel like he’s doing a great job but Dak is a 4th round qb
We might get to see what Jerry thinks of McCarthy as early as Monday – as the Cowboys’ record is a mirage – built on a weak schedule and playing lots of backup quarterbacks. if Brady decides to actually play all four quarters instead of just showing up in the 4th quarter of the game the Cowboys will be going home early from this year’s playoffs
This is a complete non-story! I mean why would Jerrah even consider firing MM? This team is 2-2 in their last 4 games, and played (what looked to me anyway) their most inspired/motivated football game of the season last weekend vs. Wash. He’s got those Boys peaking just in time for a Super Bowl run!
On top of that has anyone else noticed the incredible play of Dak Prescott this year? Dude is completing TD passes to the other teams DB’s at a record pace. If he was wearing the number 15 I’d swear we had Patrick Mahomes under center! Keep up the great work Mike! And go Cowboys!
If the Cowboys lose, Jerrah is on phone with Sean Payton within minutes.
Then this longtime Cowboys fan will be rooting for Tampa Bay…
Payton has to want the job, just doesn’t want to stick the knife in McCarthy.
Whether the Saints would agree is a whole nother question.
Jerrah has probably been on the phone with Sean. To the extent of the talk is the unknown.
Now is the time to get Payton
Jerry can’t get Payton it will put a kink in his man crush on Moore. The only way he gets fired this year is they really blow this playoff game or he thinks Kellen is ready. You know how when Jerrah finds a guy he likes he really likes him. Just don’t see that with Mikey. Kellen is the next HC of the cowpukes.
If the Cowboys lose, Jerry should be on the phone with Sean Payton within a couple minutes! McCarthy might have had 12 wins in consecutive seasons, but his teams are undisciplined and he as a coach takes too many risks on 4th in your own territory! A lot which are really dumb decisions! Jerry has wanted Payton as coach since Parcells left. Easy decision if they lose!