Is it just me, or does it feel like the Cowboys are playing preventative defense on this Mike McCarthy situation? Jerry Jones sure knows how to keep the drama alive—his recent comments about the coaching staff sound like they’re coming straight from a cryptic playbook.

“The hay is in the barn. I don’t think something would happen out here Sunday that would impact where we’re gonna be as we go forward,” Jones said. Dallas will welcome the Commanders for their season finale before they turn their attention to the next season already! But if what Jones said is the case, then why does it feel like this barn might go up in flames?

You see, McCarthy is technically under contract until January 14, which means the Cowboys hold all the cards—or at least, they think they do. According to NFL insider Mike Florio, Jones could keep McCarthy on ice, preventing him from interviewing with other teams until the contract officially expires. Why? Well, Jones loves the spotlight, and dragging this out keeps everyone talking Cowboys during Wild Card Weekend.

But what’s the endgame here? McCarthy’s name has already popped up in connection with the Bears and Saints. The Bears, fresh off drafting Caleb Williams, need someone to mold their young QB. And let’s not forget, McCarthy’s offensive mind could be exactly what Chicago—or even New Orleans—needs. Yet, Jones seems hesitant to let him go. Could it be because the pool of available candidates is as thin as a fourth-and-long gamble?

Then there’s the wildcard: a potential short-term extension. Some insiders think McCarthy might stay put, at least for now. “More industry sources than expected believe McCarthy has a small chance to stay,” reported ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That’s not exactly a glowing endorsement. But it’s enough to keep the rumor mill churning.

What’s clear is that Mike’s future in Dallas—or anywhere else—won’t be decided until Jones decides it’s time. But just the potential of this season being the last is not getting down Coach McCarthy’s throat.

Mike McCarthy is not thinking about leaving all the memories behind…

So, here we are. The Cowboys’ playoff hopes are dead, and Mike McCarthy’s future? Let’s just say it’s on the thinnest of ice. But if this is his final act, McCarthy doesn’t seem ready to pack his bags.

“I won a Super Bowl in that home locker room at AT&T Stadium,” he said. “It hits me every time I walk in there and every time I walk out.” You can’t help but feel the weight of that, right? The guy’s clearly got a soft spot for Dallas.

But let’s not kid ourselves—nostalgia doesn’t win games. Jerry Jones has been pondering McCarthy’s exit all season, even flirting with the idea mid-year. In classic Jerry fashion, though, he decided to hold off. Regrets over past mid-season firings, he says.

Still, after three straight years of playoff heartbreak, McCarthy’s leash has been paper-thin. Remember last year’s Wild Card meltdown against the Packers? Losing by 20 at home? Ouch.

And this season? It didn’t even get that far. No postseason, no redemption. McCarthy’s Cowboys have always been regular-season warriors, posting back-to-back 12-5 records before falling apart in January. But in Dallas, the bar isn’t just winning—it’s winning in January and February. And that’s where McCarthy has come up short.

The playoff losses sting, no doubt. San Francisco in 2021? Painful. Last year’s Packers debacle? Downright brutal. Even the lone bright spot—a win over Tom Brady in his last game—feels like ancient history now. Dallas fans don’t want regular-season kings; they want a postseason dynasty. And McCarthy hasn’t delivered.