The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from the NFL playoffs by the Green Bay Packers, but that shocking 48-32 wild-card defeat won’t have any consequences on head coach Mike McCarthy and his future in Dallas.
Despite the loss, Dallas owner Jerry Jones decided to stick with the coach who has spent 23 seasons in the NFL, four of which have been in Dallas. McCarthy will be in the last year of his contract and the Dallas owner believes he is the best man to keep the team moving forward.
100% Supportive of McCarthy
Jones said there was “great benefit” to continuing the progress of the team “under Mike’s leadership.” The Cowboys owner highlighted the progress individual players have made under McCarthy’s stewardship, as well as the overall success the team had collectively, pointing to McCarthy’s regular season win percentage, which is higher than any coach in the history of the Cowboys.
Jones added that it was not just the coach who should pay the price for the wild-card game defeat, saying the loss should be “shared by everyone,” including himself. So, even though everyone was disappointed by the result, Jones said he was “100% supportive” of McCarthy and his ability to do better next season.
The Dallas owner outlined that whatever the Cowboys decide to do next will be carefully considered first and any player departures or roster changes will be reviewed and evaluated. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Jones has always been known as someone who takes his time and doesn’t rush with his decisions. The fact he waited for three days after the Packers’ defeat to announce the coach was staying is another example of the way Jones thinks and operates.
Last Chance to Improve Post-Season Record
Mike McCarthy has 42 wins and 25 losses as Dallas coach and has won two NFC East titles in the four seasons with the Cowboys. However, his post-season record is not as good. The Cowboys have played four playoff matches with McCarthy as coach winning only one and losing three, and McCarthy has failed to take Dallas past the Divisional Round. This year was no different.
Next season will probably be McCarthy’s last chance to improve his record and take the Cowboys deeper into the playoffs. Whether he will have the same coaching staff around him remains to be seen, as Dallas’ defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, has attracted a lot of interest from clubs who want to see him as their head coach, most recently being interviewed by the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys also have to decide if McCarthy will also continue as offensive coordinator, a role he took over in 2023.
