Mike McCarthy’s contract with the Dallas Cowboys has expired and his time with the team is over.
McCarthy, whose contract expired after the 2024 season, will not return as Dallas’ coach next season. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the two sides were unable to agree on the length of the contract and decided to part ways. The Cowboys rejected the Chicago Bears’ request to interview McCarthy for their open head coaching position last week, while negotiations over a contract extension were believed to be underway. If McCarthy is still interested in the job, he is now free to interview, assuming the Bears are also still interested.
The Cowboys finished 7-10 with several blowout losses, including a 41-7 loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 as Saquon Barkley surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for the season. McCarthy helped turn things around midway through the season, winning four of five games after falling to 3-7. But after two losses to end the season, it was time for a change.
The Cowboys entered the season with high hopes, but struggled almost immediately. A season-ending injury to Dak Prescott isn’t the reason Dallas’ season went sour — the Cowboys’ offense struggled with Prescott this season — but other than a late-season spike when the he team averaged 27.4 points over a five-game stretch, Dallas was mostly a disaster without its quarterback.
McCarthy helped the Cowboys win 12 games in each of the last three seasons, but failed to take the team to the NFC championship game. Dallas hasn’t reached this point in the playoffs since the 1995 season. Jones stayed the course with McCarthy throughout the playoff losses, even though there were many calls for Dallas to go in a different direction. Jones remained patient with McCarthy, but the 2024 season quickly went south.
The Cowboys’ job isn’t easy, with a few stars taking up most of the salary cap. Prescott will be 32 next season and is coming off a season-ending injury. There are constant distractions that come with being Dallas’ coach. But there is a recent track record of regular-season success, and it’s one of the most high-profile jobs in sports.
It will be interesting to see what type of candidate Jones focuses on in his search. Whoever accepts the job had better prepare for the pressure that comes with it.
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