Published by: AK98
Mike McCarthy has been confirmed to continue as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for his fifth season, as announced on Wednesday. This decision was finalized after Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, held a meeting with McCarthy, following the completion of player exit interviews.
The decision comes in the wake of the Cowboys’ loss in the wild-card round to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium, a result that notably surprised Jones. Despite praising McCarthy after the regular season’s last game against the Washington Commanders, Jones had maintained a cautious stance on the coach’s future, suggesting that it would depend on the team’s performance in each game.
This approach led to widespread speculation about the possibility of McCarthy being replaced. However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Jones emphasized a collective responsibility for the loss, underscoring his complete support for McCarthy as the head coach and his belief in McCarthy’s ability to achieve the team’s goals.
Now That McCarthy Is Staying, What Changes Are On The Horizon For The Cowboys?
Under McCarthy’s leadership, the Cowboys have achieved a 42-25 regular-season record, including NFC East titles in 2021 and 2023. Despite this success, the Cowboys have not advanced to a conference title game during this period, despite winning 12 games in three consecutive seasons – a first in the Super Bowl era.
McCarthy’s record in the postseason with Dallas stands at 1-3, including home defeats in the wild-card round to the 49ers and Packers in recent years. His only playoff victory with Dallas was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022 wild-card round, marking the end of Tom Brady’s career.
Hired in 2020 after a year-long break following his departure from Green Bay, McCarthy was expected to achieve what his predecessor, Jason Garrett, could not – win a Super Bowl with the Cowboys. With a Super Bowl XLV victory already under his belt from his time with the Packers, McCarthy aims to bring a second championship to his coaching career with the Cowboys.
Jones praised McCarthy’s approach to leading the team and individual players, highlighting his record as the head coach with the highest regular season winning percentage in Cowboys history. The team is committed to translating this success into postseason achievements.In a released statement by the Cowboys, Jones had this to say:
“I believe this team is very close and capable of achieving our ultimate goals and the best step forward for us will be with Mike McCarthy as our head coach. There is great benefit to continuing the team’s progress under Mike’s leadership as our head coach.”
The situation is further complicated by the status of McCarthy’s five-year contract signed in 2020, which, if unchanged, echoes the scenarios faced by Garrett in his final contract years. The team’s performance in those years greatly influenced Garrett’s future with the franchise.
“We will start our process of review and decision-making regarding everything that impacts our team and roster…and, while we’re not going to address specific players and extensions or free agents at this point, it deserves our deepest review and consideration, and it will get it.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott, entering the final year of his contract in 2024, faces significant pressure. His playoff record and the team’s success in the upcoming season could greatly impact his leverage with the Cowboys.
Additionally, the Cowboys might need to find a new defensive coordinator, as Dan Quinn is set for interviews with multiple teams. McCarthy’s takeover of play-calling duties in 2023 led to a significant improvement in Prescott’s performance and the team’s offensive rankings.
With recent changes in the coaching landscape, McCarthy’s 167 career wins rank him third among active coaches, behind only Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin.
What changes need to be made by the Cowboys?
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