Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones determined final week to convey Mike McCarthy again for one more 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 anyway for the long run. 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 straightforward reply right here is that it’s Jerry Jones. However what was the purpose? This is able to have been the time to go in one other path with so many profitable candidates available on the market. If Dan Quinn strikes on and takes a head teaching gig, it’s going to be even more durable to recover from the hump subsequent 12 months 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 sluggish subsequent season they seemingly received’t recuperate. McCarthy will lose that locker room with no extension if the Cowboys get off to, say, a 2-5 begin. Now, this workforce 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 internet 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 onerous to fireside a coach after three consecutive 12-win seasons. That’s not onerous to grasp, however once you’re main a franchise that used to measure success by Tremendous Bowls, it’s onerous to be fully happy with the outcomes of McCarthy’s tenure. Other than that first 12 months throughout COVID, McCarthy’s squad has been nice within the common season.
Successful division titles and easily qualifying for the postseason is nice in the event you’re Jacksonville or Carolina. Whenever you’re representing a franchise with a successful historical past, making it to the divisional spherical or being eradicated on Wild-Card Weekend simply isn’t acceptable. No less than it shouldn’t be tolerated.
Something lower than an NFC Championship sport look and McCarthy ought to be exiting stage left. That’s what it’s come to for Jones’ Cowboys. Making the NFC title sport could be an enormous win for this five-time Tremendous Bowl-winning group. Dallas may go 15-2 subsequent 12 months. In the event that they flame out earlier than convention championship weekend, Jones should draw the road. It won’t be the most well-liked choice at that time, however Jones has made powerful selections earlier than. Since they’re sticking with Dak Prescott, one thing else wants to vary. Prepare to look at McCarthy stand on that plank for 18 weeks subsequent fall.
