The Cowboys have a bit of work to do in the off-season. Right from many players becoming unrestricted free agents to a key management member leaving, Jerry Jones will be a busy man once the season ends. But in the days leading up to the Cowboys’ final game of the season, the future of HC Mike McCarthy has dominated headlines for America’s Team.

There have been quite a few rumors flying around McCarthy’s future, with the New Orleans Saints linked with him, in case Jerry Jones decides to not extend his stay in Dallas. During the season, with his team in freefall, Jones has time and again reiterated that he won’t fire McCarthy, claiming to have learned from his past mistakes. He has backed his coach to the hilt but now is the time to put his words into action and the time is running out.

On January 3, NFL insider  Tom Pelissero reported that McCarthy’s contract was set to expire on January 14. This gives Jerry Jones nine days to make a decision following their season finale against the Commanders on Sunday. However, so far no concrete negotiations have taken place. But McCarthy is not worried.

“We have not had any conversations, and I do just anticipate we’ll stay on a schedule that’s similar to what we’ve done in the past. That would mean we start our meetings next week and go through the evaluation process.” Jerry Jones’ delaying talks with his once Super Bowl-winning head coach only makes the situation more complicated.

As soon as the regular season ends on Sunday, other teams in the NFL can start knocking on the doors of the Cowboys to take Mike McCarthy with them. Now, it depends upon Dallas whether they would permit other teams to talk with their head coach. However, no one has to ask Jerry Jones for permission once that nine-day window expires. They can just fix a meeting with McCarthy and poach him as they please.

Jones playing a waiting game is nothing new. When the 2019 season ended, Jones hired McCarthy a week after the final game to replace Jason Garrett, who had held the full-time job for nine seasons. When it comes to McCarthy, Jerry Jones has stated quite often he won’t be hurried into a decision.

After a blowout 34-6 loss to the Eagles in November, Jones showed his faith in McCarthy. “Mike is a heck of a coach, a great coach in my mind. (He) has and should have the opportunity to do better than we’re playing right now. I haven’t had good experience changing coaches in the middle of the season.”

Jones fired Wade Phillips mid-season in 2010 after a 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 but said he “always regretted it.” In fact, Jones said that when he fired Chan Gailey after two years, regretted that decision as well. McCarthy is in his fifth year with the Cowboys and after a first season with a 6-10 record, he has led the team to three consecutive seasons of 12-5. However, this season his team sits at 7-9 with one game left.

It is likely Jones will evaluate McCarthy’s showing over the last five years when making a decision. Apart from Jerry’s support, his son Stephen Jones also showed his admiration for the head coach. “I think Mike’s done a great job considering the challenges that we’ve had, and Mike Zimmer the same way, it’s been a new group out there,” the EVP of the Cowboys said on December 30 speaking on 105.3 The Fan.

McCarthy also has admirers in the team, with Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons endorsing an extension for their HC. But sorting out the head coach situation isn’t the only task for Jerry Jones.

After their season ends, McCarthy’s entire coaching staff will finish the season without contracts for 2025. This includes defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who might retire at the season’s end. Moreover, the Cowboys will have 22 players becoming unrestricted free agents. The contacts of three veterans, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks, will void, allowing them to hit the open market. But that’s not all.

The vice president of player personnel, Will McClay, will see his contract end following the NFL draft. McClay has run the Cowboys’ draft since 2014 and remains close to the Jones. His departure could be as impactful as any other for the franchise.

As for McCarthy,

ESPN’s insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the Chicago Bears could be a possible destination for him if the Cowboys don’t offer him an extension. Either way, the Cowboys have to make a decision soon enough. They can’t continue to delay it for their own comfort. However, the Cowboys GM did say Sunday’s result won’t really have any repercussions on McCarthy’s future.

Jerry Jones adds more fuel to Mike McCarthy’s future in Dallas

This would be the first season in McCarthy’s four-year tenure that the Cowboys won’t reach the playoffs. In his previous 3 seasons at the helm, the Cowboys had multiple 12-win seasons. But this season has been nothing short of an embarrassment in McCarthy’s otherwise okayish Cowboys tenure. Whatever happens on Sunday, the Cowboys will record their second losing season under McCarthy’s guidance. So Jerry Jones isn’t too skeptical about Sunday’s result when deciding on his head coach’s future.

Offering his thoughts on 105.3 The Fan, the Cowboys owner said, “The hay is in the barn as far as our staff is concerned. I don’t think something would happen out here Sunday that would impact where we’re gonna be as we go forward.” Jones further addressed the fact that the availability of former NFL coach Jon Gruden doesn’t really impact McCarthy’s chances of staying, “I just don’t have any comment there at all. Jon is a friend, and let’s leave it at that.”

See, Jones isn’t really that guy who likes to rock the boat. And McCarthy’s overall record of 49-34 with two NFC East titles isn’t bad. That being said, only time will tell what will happen and that time is nigh.