Considering Mike McCarthy‘s lame-duck status and underwhelming 2024 output, there have been plenty who have questioned the head coach’s future in Dallas beyond the 2024 campaign. While speculation continues to swirl, it sounds like there’s still a chance McCarthy could be back with the organization in 2025.
Per Josina Anderson, the team’s decision makers have yet to have “earnest discussions or planning on the future” in regards to their head coaching position. Diana Russini of The Athletic has heard similarly, with some sources opining that the final stretch of this season could determine McCarthy’s future with the franchise.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones effectively confirmed that the organization would use the next few games to evaluate their head coaching position. When asked by Russini about McCarthy’s future with the team, Jones said the organization has yet to make “any decisions” and intends to judge “the full body of work after the season.”
McCarthy helped guide the Cowboys to the playoffs each season between 2021 and 2023, but he only had a single playoff win to show for his efforts. Following another one-and-done appearance in 2023, the Cowboys made it clear that they’d be sticking with their head coach for the 2024 campaign…but with lame-duck status. The organization was unwilling to give McCarthy a contract extension, and with 2024 representing the final year of his contract, the coach found himself coaching for his job this season.
The Cowboys are set to miss the playoffs for the second time in McCarthy’s tenure, although the coach could easily point to injuries as a reason for the team’s underwhelming showing. The Cowboys have been hit hard by the injury bug, with key contributors like defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Sam Williams, cornerback Trevon Diggs, guard Zack Martin, and, of course, quarterback Dak Prescott currently sitting on IR. That’s not to mention players like DaRon Bland, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who recently found their way off of IR.
McCarthy is in the midst of one of the longest Cowboys HC stints in recent memory. Other than Jason Garrett‘s nine-plus seasons at the helm, McCarthy’s five-year run is only rivaled by Jimmy Johnson‘s five-year stint in the post-Tom Landry era.
It’s a classic Jerry move. He’ll wait until the HC market is reset to re-up Mike. It’s no different than what he did with Dak and Lamb.
Jerry’s fate is the only one that matters for the Cowboys.
If he’s going to change coaches, he’s not going to fire McCarthy. He’s just going to let his contract expire rather than paying him to do nothing for no real reason.
Suspense!