Jerry Jones Was Asked Postgame If He's Making A Coaching Change
01/05/2025 05:47 PM
The Dallas Cowboys' disappointing 2024 season ended on a whimper as they narrowly lost at home to the rival Washington Commanders. With a 6-11 finish, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about the future of head coach Mike McCarthy.
As it stands, McCarthy's contract is set to expire before the end of January. He was hired in 2020 and led the team to three straight 12-5 records and playoff berths between 2021 and 2023, winning just one postseason game.
After the rough start to this season, McCarthy's status was thrown into doubt all year, thought Jones never wavered in his determination to see out the season. Now that the season is over he has only two choices: Give McCarthy an extension, or give McCarthy a pink slip.
Speaking to the media after the game, Jones said that he doesn't know if he's considering making a change.
"I don't know that I am considering making a change," Jones said. "Mike's one of the best coaches I think there is. He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he's done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach."
Jerry Jones: I don't know that I'm considering making a coaching change. https://t.co/Z3Re6jUtrq
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 5, 2025
But just because Jones isn't ready to fire McCarthy, it doesn't mean a change isn't coming.
Back in January 2020, Jones waited until after the first round of the playoffs to announce that then-head coach Jason Garrett would not be returning as head coach the following season. Two days later, McCarthy got the job.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images.
The Dallas Cowboys job would certainly rank among the most appealing to top coaching candidates in some ways but not others. It has a ready-made roster filled with talented players on both offense and defense, and with a Pro Bowl quarterback already in place.
The downside is widely believed to be the level of control that Jones tends to exert over both the roster and even coaching decisions. Many believe that Jones would only hire a head coach who would acquiesce to anything and everything he demands on a regular basis.
But if Jones decides to give McCarthy a new contract anytime between now and his contract running up in a few days, it won't matter.
Related: Jerry Jones Appears To Have Already Made Decision On Mike McCarthy
