Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones decided last week to convey Mike McCarthy back for another go after that embarrassing first-round loss at house to Inexperienced Bay. Now phrase comes that whereas they’re sticking with McCarthy, he received’t be getting a contract extension. So, primarily Jones has given his head coach the secondary title of “lame duck,” with no safety in any way for the longer term. This presents the query of why the Cowboys moved so quick in deciding to run it again solely to drop this bombshell days later.
The simple reply right here is that it’s Jerry Jones. However what was the purpose? This might have been the time to go in one other course with so many profitable candidates in the marketplace. If Dan Quinn moves on and takes a head coaching gig, it’s going to be even harder to recover from the hump subsequent yr with out the mastermind of the Cowboys protection. Until the plan is to slip Quinn into McCarthy’s spot if Dallas falls quick once more.
Ought to Dallas begin off gradual subsequent season they probably received’t get well. McCarthy will lose that locker room with no extension if the Cowboys get off to, say, a 2-5 begin. Now, this staff is so gifted that it most likely received’t occur, however something is feasible. With no reassurance from the proprietor, McCarthy will simply be dangling on the market with no web in 2024. He’ll have to show he’s the man to get this group again the place they really feel it belongs.
It’s exhausting to fireplace a coach after three consecutive 12-win seasons. That’s not exhausting to grasp, however whenever you’re main a franchise that used to measure success by Tremendous Bowls, it’s exhausting to be fully glad with the outcomes of McCarthy’s tenure. Except for that first yr throughout COVID, McCarthy’s squad has been nice within the common season.
Successful division titles and easily qualifying for the postseason is nice should you’re Jacksonville or Carolina. While you’re representing a franchise with a profitable historical past, making it to the divisional spherical or being eradicated on Wild-Card Weekend simply isn’t acceptable. A minimum of it shouldn’t be tolerated.
Something lower than an NFC Championship recreation look and McCarthy needs to be exiting stage left. That’s what it’s come to for Jones’ Cowboys. Making the NFC title recreation can be an enormous win for this five-time Tremendous Bowl-winning group. Dallas may go 15-2 subsequent yr. In the event that they flame out earlier than convention championship weekend, Jones should draw the road. It may not be the preferred choice at that time, however Jones has made robust selections earlier than. Since they’re sticking with Dak Prescott, one thing else wants to alter. Prepare to look at McCarthy stand on that plank for 18 weeks subsequent fall.
