Dallas Cowboys GM & owner Jerry Jones is still not opening up fully on Dak Prescott‘s contract. In less than a week, they open their season against the Cleveland Browns. However, the contract negotiations are going on. Fans and analysts are criticizing Jones’ approach. Yet he refuses to change his sly ways. Under all this, the head coach Mike McCarthy has spoken about his contract situation.

The coach is in his final year at the Cowboys. While discussing his contract, McCarthy said, “I really don’t want to speak on it. I haven’t spoke on it because there’s really nothing to talk about, because it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is today.” For the coach, that seems right. He is a veteran and knows the league inside out. Hence, these words are coming from experience. McCarthy is also focused on something else.

Further elaborating on his contract situation, the head coach added, “The only thing that truly pays the bills is winning games. And that’s where my mind is at.” That’s something everyone is waiting for. While the Cowboys recently became the biggest football team (valued at $10 billion), they haven’t won the Super Bowl in almost 3 decades. The last trophy came in 1995. Hence, the franchise is desperately looking for the championship.

McCarthy is already facing the heat. In 4 seasons (2020-2023), as the head coach, America’s Team, has lost divisional playoffs twice (in 2021 and 2023). Now, the patience is thin. He is trying to inspire players with his actions and noted, “I can’t stand up in front of a group of men and consistently on a daily basis, demand that they focus their time and energy on winning, and then I’m up here talking about things that have nothing to do with winning. So, I guess that’s how I deal with it.” While his method of dealing with such situations might be right, the task is hard. Specifically, with Jones at the helm of affairs. Disappointing!

Not only he didn’t sign a contract extension with Prescott, but he didn’t give any good options to the coach

Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott’s future

If Jones continues his half-hearted approach, the Cowboys’ problems will increase. The coach and the quarterback are at a pretty solid place in their careers. Prescott is poised to become the highest-paid NFL QB in both scenarios. If Jones signs a new deal, he has to give him the highest contract extension. If he (Jones) doesn’t, many teams will line up for the signal caller.

McCarthy’s future, though, relies heavily on the result of the coming season. He had 4 seasons to rebuild the team, but he couldn’t make a monumental change. Hence, he depends on the QB to rally his locker room to win a Super Bowl. If they do, then only he can expect an extension. If both leave, things will go south quickly. There will be only 2 options in the quarterback department then.

Both of them don’t give enough support to lean on. 2nd in command, Cooper Rush, has played only 26 games in 7 seasons so far. The only shining moment in his career was the 2022 season when he had a record of 4-1. He also had 1,051 passing yards with 94 out of 162 passes in 9 games. Let’s move on to the 3rd signal caller.

The 3rd rostered QB is Trey Lance. In 3 NFL seasons till now, the signal caller is yet to cross 1,000 career yards. Cowboys have already chosen not to use QB’s 5th-year contract option. Thus, he is ready to become a free agent after 2024. Will he have the required state of mind to perform if the need arises? Prescott, on the other hand, has been a phenomenon on the field with 29,459 passing yards in 8 seasons. Magnificent!

Jones can be eccentric. However, he is the owner and should pay attention to the needs of the locker room. Bringing in a new QB and coach isn’t the solution. The cycle of training a new QB and a new coach accustomed to the team culture is long. Fans can’t wait anymore. Results have to come this season.