ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' season came to an end with a 23-19 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, and now the challenging decision looms for owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Will he retain head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires shortly, or will he start searching for his ninth head coach since he purchased the team in 1989?
For over 40 minutes, Jones addressed the media outside the locker room, speaking glowingly about McCarthy, yet hesitated to fully commit to him for 2025 and beyond. "I don't know if I am considering making a change is really what I'm trying to say," Jones remarked thoughtfully.
McCarthy has led the Cowboys to a 49-35 regular-season record but has fallen short in the playoffs with only one win out of four attempts, failing to advance past the divisional round. The weight of the franchise's 29-season Super Bowl drought bears heavily on any decision to keep or replace him.
"Mike's one of the best coaches...he's done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach," said Jones, providing insight to reporters about his mixed emotions surrounding the coaching staff. McCarthy, on his end, made his intentions clear. "Absolutely. I have a lot invested here. And the Cowboys have a lot invested in me," he stated. His commitment to the team was evident as he added, "I believe in building programs and developing young players." He maintained optimism about turning things around, acknowledging, "I think we have a very good foundation here."
With 174 wins, McCarthy ranks 13th all-time among NFL coaches, and he doesn’t shy away from declaring himself, "I'm a winner. I know how to win. I won a championship. I won a championship in this building, and that's who I am. We'll see where it goes." Despite the pressures of the position, McCarthy's desire to stay appears mutual.
Jones didn’t provide any definitive timeline for making the decision, mentioning past processes for changes. "Typically I pick them soon after the last game. Mike was picked as Jason Garrett's successor 10 days after the 2019 season ended," he noted. The Cowboys maintain exclusive negotiating rights to McCarthy through January 14, though indications suggest Jones may allow McCarthy to explore other opportunities if requests come through.
This week will be busy for McCarthy as he intends to meet with both Jerry and Stephen Jones, the executive vice president. He typically conducts exit meetings with players starting Monday, but there have yet to be discussions with his agent, Don Yee, about extending his contract. "It's a give and take, and I've decided if we're sitting down talking about a deal," Jones stated, insinuations of moving forward hanging over the discussions.
Compounding McCarthy’s issues—the Cowboys entered the offseason with significant player injuries, accounting for nearly $90 million of salary cap space. High-profile players such as quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb found themselves sidelined during pivotal moments.
Jones noted, "That's very fair. I always provide the roster for the coaches...if you don't get there, then you've always got some second-guessing," taking accountability for team decisions. The Cowboys' recent performances after injuries became commendable, earning four victories out of five games, which left them clinging to playoff hopes until Week 16. Support for McCarthy's leadership resonates, as players like Prescott and Micah Parsons have openly backed his return.
Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars faced their own predicament following their match against the Colts, resulting in travel delays due to severe winter weather. After their 26-23 loss, the team’s charter flight became stuck on the tarmac for seven hours at Indianapolis International Airport, creating frustration among players and staff. The aircraft finally departed at 1 AM ET, illustrating the chaos induced by intense winter storms.
Indianapolis was subject to heavy snowfall forecasts, with expectations of accumulations ranging from 2 to 5 inches along with freezing drizzle and winds hitting 40 mph. The weather conditions compelled the Kansas City Chiefs to extend their stay overnight after their game against the Broncos.
Both the Cowboys and Jaguars now face significant offseason challenges marked by tough decisions about leadership and roster management. While the Cowboys ponder McCarthy's future amid playoff shortcomings and injuries, the Jaguars navigate the effects of unavoidable weather delays, showcasing the unpredictable nature of professional football both on and off the field. Understanding how these organizations strategize through their upcoming moves will be pivotal as they seek to improve their standings for the next NFL season.