Cowboys fans may be experiencing some déjà vu right now. For the second consecutive January, we’re in the dark about whether Jerry Jones will bring back Head Coach Mike McCarthy after a disappointing season.
Fans were livid with McCarthy after the terrible postseason loss to Green Bay last January. Despite that, Jones gave him the 2024 season to finish out his contract.
That season is now over, and the Cowboys are the last team remaining that hasn’t decided their path at head coach. Across the league, teams have either started their search for a new leader or have made statements confirming their incumbents’ return.
Where is Dallas in all of this, and where do things stand for McCarthy?
That’s what we’re here to discuss. After an interview request denial and countless vague Jerry Jones quotes, are the signs pointing toward a new Cowboys coach or a return for Mike McCarthy?
What Does The Bears Situation Tell Us?
On January 6th, the Chicago Bears sought permission from the Cowboys to interview McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy. It had been rumored for weeks that he would be a top candidate for them, and that move confirmed those suspicions.
Usually, these requests are answered quickly, but as always, Dallas is far from the norm. They took nearly two days to reply to Chicago, before ultimately denying the request.
This response by the Cowboys was very telling of their plans. It likely means they plan on retaining McCarthy and don’t want him seeing other suitors as a result.
Other, less realistic possibilities are that they haven’t decided yet and want to lock down their choice before letting him interview elsewhere, or that they don’t plan on bringing him back and denied him the Bears route out of spite.
After reading those two alternative conclusions, you can see why an extension in Dallas is the most plausible right now.
There is another question that arises from this: if the signs are pointing toward a reunion, why have we still not heard an official decision from the Cowboys? What is taking so long?
What’s The Hold Up In Dallas?
Simply put, the Cowboys are putting themselves behind the rest of the NFL once again. Out of 32 teams, they are the only ones mulling a decision like this, and it hurts them no matter how you frame it.
If Jones decides that Mike McCarthy has had his chance, or if they are unable to come to terms on an extension, they will enter the head coaching fray nearly a week after everybody else.
Candidates will have been interviewed, finalist lists will have been made, and the Cowboys will just be getting started.
If an agreement is made, and the two sides are together for the future, the delay will make it harder to fill out the coaching staff if changes need to be made. Either way, it’s time to speed this thing up.
Earlier this morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Jones and McCarthy met on both Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the future. Hopefully, something comes out of those discussions, and fast.
The Bottom Line: Mike McCarthy’s Future Is Imminent
It likely won’t be longer than a few days before we know what the future holds for Mike McCarthy. With him and Jones discussing, and other teams moving fast in their candidate search, the dust should settle shortly.
The crowd that doesn’t want him back may hate to hear this, but the signs are pointing toward his return; though that doesn’t mean it’s certain.
If there was no snag, consideration of other candidates, or issues this thing would have been solved a long time ago. All it takes for McCarthy to leave is a slight change in the odds, and we all know that can happen.
Right now, hours seem like days, so it may feel like we’re waiting forever, but this situation is close to a resolution. What comes after that could become the fun part.